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Customs and Border Protection is scrambling to deliver an online refund system after the Supreme Court last month found certain tariffs unlawful — a process that could return roughly $166 billion to importers but is already generating logistical headaches and mounting interest costs. With the portal still in testing, thousands of businesses have signed up, yet a substantial share of claims will wait for later refund phases.
Where the refund effort stands now
In a recent court filing, a senior CBP official, Brandon Lord, said the agency’s primary refunds portal is approximately 85% complete and undergoing “critical testing” before launch. Other components that support the claims process are between 60% and 80% finished, according to the filing.
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So far, the system has recorded 26,664 registrations through March 26. That early interest underscores the size and urgency of the task: the court’s decision affects an estimated 53 million import entries tied to tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
- Registrations: 26,664 (as of March 26)
- Total potential refunds: about $166 billion
- Import entries affected: roughly 53 million
- Phase-one coverage: about 63% of those entries
- System completion (main portal): ~85% and in testing
- Interest estimate: ~$700 million per month (~$23 million per day) while refunds are delayed
Why many refunds will take longer
CBP told the court that the initial rollout will address roughly 63% of the affected import records. A sizeable portion — nearly one-third of entries — are already through a customs process called liquidation, which normally finalizes duties within a year of an import’s entry. Those liquidated entries require additional processing steps and will be handled in subsequent refund phases once more functionality is available.
Judge Richard Eaton of the Court of International Trade clarified on March 27 that even liquidated tariffs can be reimbursed under his interpretation of the Supreme Court’s ruling, a change that raised new technical and administrative demands for CBP.
Timing and stakes
CBP says phase one remains on track for a mid-April deployment, but the agency has not provided a firm timetable for when liquidated funds will be returned. Every day of delay carries a financial impact: CBP previously estimated interest on held tariffs at about $700 million per month, a figure that compounds pressure on the agency to move quickly and accurately.
The court-driven recalculation and refund process requires CBP to reexamine millions of entries, reapply duty calculations and build claim-management tools at scale. That combination of technical complexity and legal obligation helps explain why some claims will be prioritized while others wait.
What this means for importers and markets
For importers who have already registered, the portal should speed claims once deployed. But firms with liquidated entries should expect longer waits as CBP phases in additional capabilities. The broader implications include potential cash-flow relief for businesses when refunds arrive, and continued legal and administrative scrutiny as the agency executes the court’s orders.
For now, importers and financial officers watching the process should note two immediate takeaways: (1) register early so claims are recorded in the system, and (2) prepare for staggered reimbursements, with some funds arriving in the near term and others delayed until later phases.
As CBP completes testing and expands the portal’s functionality, the timetable and scope of refunds will likely change; the agency’s filings to the court and any further judicial guidance will determine how quickly the remaining amounts can be returned.
