More than 330,000 importers could get refunds, valued at about $166 billion by CBP, but the government appeal could delay the process.
On Tuesday June 2, 2026, the American government appealed a decision by the Court of International Trade (CIT) ordering it to initiate the reimbursement of customs duties deemed illegal, according to documents consulted by AFP. The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency estimated the amount of these unduly levied surcharges at approximately $166 billion and indicated that more than 330,000 importers are affected.
A file with financial and operational implications
In February 2026, the United States Supreme Court struck down across-the-board surcharges on all goods entering the United States, ruling that President Donald Trump had exceeded his constitutional authority. In the process, a CIT judge required the administration to trigger the reimbursement process and granted the CBP a period of time to set up the necessary computer system.
The CBP announced that it had started reimbursements, but the appeal filed by the executive could delay the payment schedule. The administration disputes the obligation to reimburse this amount.
Even before the Supreme Court’s decision, several importing companies had taken legal action to request the restitution of overpayments. It was the first of these requests which forced the CBP to prepare technical reimbursement mechanisms.
These surcharges targeted all imported products. Donald Trump had made customs duties a pillar of his economic program, believing that they could partially replace income taxes and encourage companies to relocate industries to the United States.
After the reversal by the Supreme Court, the president announced the establishment of new customs duties of 10% for a maximum duration of six months. At the same time, he asked the White House Trade Representative (USTR) to launch a series of investigations with a view to basing possible higher surcharges on another reason. According to USTR Jamieson Greer, no less than 70 countries are targeted by these investigations.
