# Federal refund system opens for $166B in tariff payments ruled illegal

A federal refund system went live Monday for businesses seeking to reclaim $166 billion in import taxes collected under emergency tariffs the U.S. Supreme Court ruled illegal in February.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection opened the portal for importers and brokers to begin filing claims for duties paid under President Donald Trump's emergency tariff program. Small business advocates described the system as a complex first step for entrepreneurs trying to recover payments that accumulated before the high court struck down the tariffs.

The $166 billion figure represents the total import taxes collected under the emergency tariff program before the Supreme Court invalidated it. The February ruling found the tariffs exceeded presidential authority. That cleared the way for refund claims.

Importers and brokers can now upload documentation through the customs agency's online system. The portal marks the beginning of what could be a lengthy claims process for thousands of businesses that paid the duties over the life of the tariff program.

The refund system comes more than two months after the Supreme Court decision. Federal officials have not announced a timeline for processing claims or issuing payments.