Next steps to get tariff refunds

Although the tariff refund system the U.S. government just launched on April 20, 2026 might start paying refunds next week, companies have likely paid substantial tariffs that will need to be refunded through a separate mechanism. 

The current tariff refund system that launched was not set up to refund all IEEPA tariffs companies have paid. Due to a statutory limitation, the U.S. government decided the many IEEPA tariffs companies paid early last year were too old to be eligible for the refund system. This decision is not entirely consistent with the court order to refund all IEEPA tariffs, but, given the absence of a fully compliant system, over roughly the next month companies will likely need to consider filing protests to protect their rights.

A protest is the only clear way to protect rights to refunds and must be filed within 180 days after the relevant imports were liquidated. This deadline is most immediately relevant to tariffs paid on imports that were liquidated more than 80 days before April 20 (generally meaning tariffs paid in February and maybe March 2025). Those tariffs were not eligible for the current tariff refund system and are approaching the protest deadline. 

The bottom line is, in order to protect refunds of tariffs paid over February and March 2025, and possibly later, companies might need to file protests beginning in June. Porter Wright attorneys are actively helping clients navigate this process. To get started, contact Corey Norton or a member of Porter Wright's International Business & Trade practice group