Will Businesses Get Refunds for IEEPA Tariffs? What Importers Need to Know

Following the recent Supreme Court ruling that ended IEEPA tariffs, many importers are asking the same question:

Will we get our money back?

So far, there is no clear answer.

While CBP has stopped collecting IEEPA tariffs as of February 24, 2026, the process for refunding duties already paid remains uncertain and is quickly becoming one of the most important issues for importers this year.

Why Refunds Are Even Being Discussed

The Supreme Court ruled that IEEPA does not give the President authority to impose tariffs.

That decision effectively invalidated the legal basis for those duties.

Because of that, many businesses believe they should be refunded for tariffs paid under a law that was ultimately deemed inapplicable.

In simple terms:

If the tariffs were not legally authorized, should importers have to absorb those costs?

Is There a Refund Process Right Now?

No, not yet.

As of now:

CBP has not announced an automatic refund process


There is no confirmed timeline for repayment, although government officials have indicated that a refund process is still being developed and could take time to implement.


Importers are still waiting for formal guidance

That means businesses should not assume refunds are guaranteed or immediate.

What Lawmakers Are Proposing

Several lawmakers have introduced proposals that would require the government to refund IEEPA tariffs already collected. One proposal, known as the Tariff Refund Act of 2026, would require full repayment with interest and prioritize small businesses.

Some proposals include:

Full repayment of duties


Interest on refunded amounts


Prioritization for small and mid-sized businesses

However, these proposals still need to pass through Congress, and there is no certainty they will become law.

Why Refunds May Take Time

Even if refunds are approved, the process could be complicated.

Key challenges include:

• Determining who is eligible
• Verifying how much was paid
• Handling cases where tariff costs were passed on to customers
• Processing refunds at scale through CBP systems

Because of this, some experts believe the process could take months or even years to fully resolve.

What Are “Tariff Refund Claims” and Why Are They Being Sold?

A new trend is already emerging.

Some financial firms are offering to buy potential tariff refunds from importers at a discount.

For example, a company might offer:

• $50,000 today for a potential $100,000 refund later

Importers get immediate cash, while the buyer takes on the risk and waits for repayment.

This is happening because there is still uncertainty around:

If refunds will happen


How long they will take


What percentage will be recovered

What This Means for Importers

Here’s the reality:

• Refunds are possible, but not guaranteed
• Timing is unclear
• Cash flow planning is critical
• Tariff exposure is still evolving

Importers should avoid making financial decisions based on assumed refunds.

Until official guidance is released, those funds should be treated as uncertain.

What Businesses Should Do Now

If your company paid IEEPA tariffs, consider taking the following steps:

Work with your customs broker to identify affected entries


Document all tariff payments made under IEEPA


Monitor CBP announcements and legislative updates


Evaluate whether selling claims (at a discount) makes sense for your cash flow


Recalculate your landed cost assumptions without relying on refunds

If you are already adjusting sourcing strategies, this may also be a good time to revisit nearshoring strategies.

How 3PL Center Helps Brands Navigate Tariff Uncertainty

Trade policy is changing quickly, and uncertainty around refunds adds another layer of complexity.

At 3PL Center, we help brands:

Adjust inventory strategies as costs shift


Coordinate container timing and warehouse intake


Distribute inventory across multiple locations


Offset rising costs with discounted carrier rates


Maintain visibility into real-time inventory and order flow

When tariffs change, your fulfillment strategy needs to stay flexible.

If you’re unsure how tariff changes or potential refunds affect your operations, book a call with our team to review your current setup.

Final Takeaway

IEEPA tariffs are no longer being collected.

But the question of refunds is still unresolved.

For now, importers should plan conservatively, monitor updates closely, and avoid assuming repayment until a clear process is confirmed.