The US Customs and Border Protection agency will begin issuing electronic refunds from 12 May 2026 for tariffs ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, with up to USD 166 billion in collections subject to repayment following the court's determination that former President Trump overstepped his authority under emergency powers legislation.
American businesses and importers will begin receiving refunds from tariffs declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court as early as 12 May 2026, according to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The federal agency announced on Monday, 4 May 2026, that electronic refunds through Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments are expected to commence on 12 May 2026. CBP has made status reports available to claimants, enabling them to track their refund applications.
The refund programme addresses collections totalling up to USD 166 billion from tariffs that former President Trump imposed using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The Supreme Court determined that Trump exceeded his legal authority by applying the 1977 sanctions law to levy these trade duties.
Affected companies can now monitor their claims through CBP’s newly available tracking system as the agency processes what represents one of the largest tariff refund operations in recent American history.
Earlier, on 20 February 2026, the US Supreme Court ruled 6–3 in Learning Resources v. Trump that Donald Trump exceeded his authority by imposing broad global tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA).
