Small importers are getting a surprising piece of news: they may soon get refunds on the tariffs imposed during Donald Trump’s presidency. This not only affects businesses but could also lead to lower prices for consumers in the long run.

Understanding the Tariff Refunds

When tariffs were imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), over 330,000 importers paid more than $166 billion in excessive fees. However, with recent developments following a Supreme Court ruling, these businesses now have chances to reclaim their money. Although many might expect long wait times and bureaucracy, the refund process has started taking shape more smoothly than anticipated.

Melissa Alvarado Quisenberry, a vice president at Supply Chain Solutions in Michigan, is one of the many helping businesses navigate this process. Her firm specializes in services like customs brokerage and transportation management. Quisenberry has reported a noticeable increase in refund claims since the federal government confirmed that refunds could be processed.

Who Can Apply for Refunds?

To receive the refund, businesses must work with the original customs broker they used when paying the tariffs. Typically, this broker is known as the “importer of record.” It cannot be just any firm that offers these services; it has to be the one that initially dealt with the transactions. This requirement is likely a precaution to avoid fraud, similar to what happened during the pandemic with the Employee Retention Tax Credit.

However, dealing with an unsatisfactory customs broker can complicate matters. If businesses have issues with responsiveness or excessive fees, switching brokers isn’t straightforward. “You can work with another broker in a consulting capacity, but your options are limited,” Quisenberry mentions.

The Refund Process Explained

For businesses that are content with their customs broker, they can proceed with the refund request through the Customs and Border Protection’s Ace Secure Data Portal. Currently, the refund process is mainly for shipments finalized (liquidated) within the past 80 days, although some pending shipments may also be processed.

Despite some technical issues, Quisenberry states that the refund system seems to be more organized than many expected. Companies like hers are busy filing these requests, understanding that businesses may have to wait 60 to 90 days to see their refunds. While these firm services come with a fee, many businesses are viewing them as worthwhile, given that some refunds could significantly impact their finances.

Additional Considerations

Importantly, businesses need to remember the tax implications of receiving these refunds. Many who paid tariffs previously took deductions for those costs. However, refunds issued in 2026 will be taxable, and this could affect how business owners prepare their taxes.

Some major shipping companies, like FedEx and UPS, have already announced they will return tariff refunds to their customers, a positive sign for small business owners. However, it’s unclear if major retailers will extend similar offers to their customers.

Reflecting on her initial belief that small businesses should not pursue these refunds, Quisenberry now believes otherwise. The refund process is not only active but is operating successfully—a rarity in dealing with government procedures.

What this means for you

If you’re a small business owner who has paid tariffs, it may be worthwhile to work with your customs broker now to file for a refund—especially since the process appears to be more efficient than usual. Also, if you ever need to review tax deductions related to these tariffs, legal-document-to-plain-english-translator/”>AI legalese decoder can help translate the legal documents into plain English.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/10/trump-tariff-refunds-small-business