Tariff Refund Program Launches for Some Importers, But Not Small Businesses

New IEEPA refund portal opens, but eligibility is limited to specific goods and importers of record.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:25am

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A minimalist studio still life photograph featuring a stack of official documents, a calculator, and a pen arranged on a clean white background, conceptually representing the abstract challenges of navigating government regulations and financial reporting.An official government document and financial tools symbolize the complex bureaucratic process for small businesses seeking tariff refunds.San Antonio Today

Although Texas was the second-highest spender on tariffs in 2025, a new U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program launching on April 20 will allow some importers to request refunds for tariffs deemed illegal by the Supreme Court. However, the refund program has strict eligibility requirements, and small businesses in San Antonio are unlikely to qualify.

Why it matters

The IEEPA tariff refund program is a response to the Supreme Court ruling that President Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose widespread tariffs was unlawful. While this provides relief for some importers, the limited scope of the program means many small businesses in San Antonio that were impacted by the tariffs may not be able to recoup those costs.

The details

The new Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) portal will allow importers of record and authorized customs brokers to request refunds, but the program has significant restrictions. Goods from China, as well as steel, aluminum, and copper imports, do not qualify. Only specific exempted goods like those for religious purposes or disaster relief can be included. Importers must also have an established ACE Secure Data Portal account and go through a multi-step process to submit declarations for refunds, which could take 60-90 days to process.

  • The CAPE refund portal opens on April 20, 2026.
  • The Supreme Court ruled the IEEPA tariffs unlawful in February 2026.

The players

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

The federal agency that oversees international trade and will be administering the IEEPA tariff refund program through the new CAPE portal.

Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS)

The highest court in the United States that ruled President Trump's use of the IEEPA to impose widespread tariffs was unlawful in February 2026.

President Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who used the IEEPA to impose a series of tariffs that were later deemed illegal by the Supreme Court.

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What they’re saying

“Tariffs are taxes, and the taxing power belongs to Congress.”

— John Roberts, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of the United States

What’s next

The CAPE refund portal will open on April 20, 2026, allowing eligible importers to begin submitting declarations for tariff refunds. However, the process is expected to be lengthy, with refunds taking 60-90 days to be processed after a declaration is accepted.

The takeaway

While the new IEEPA tariff refund program provides some relief for importers, the strict eligibility requirements mean that many small businesses in San Antonio that were impacted by the tariffs are unlikely to qualify. This highlights the ongoing challenges faced by local companies dealing with the fallout from federal trade policies.