Tariff Refund Portal Rejecting 15% of Initial Entries

Key Details Thousands of importers seeking refunds from a $166 billion tariff reversal are facing obstacles through a new automated online portal. Since launching April 20, the system has denied roughly 15% of 13.3 million import entries that passed initial screening, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. About 1.74 million entries have been approved and are moving through the refund process. Why Denials Happen CBP rejects entries for formatting errors, corrupted files, or when the submitter isn't the importer of record or authorized broker. The agency allows importers to correct issues and refile their applications. Businesses and individuals paid these tariffs on approximately 53 million total entries. Context for Drivers The Supreme Court ruled February 20 that President Trump unlawfully imposed these tariffs under emergency powers. The ruling opened the door to massive refunds, but the portal's technical glitches are slowing the process. Judge Richard Eaton overseeing the case previously expressed concerns about requiring manual refund requests instead of automatic government disbursements based on existing data. Bottom Line If your company paid these tariffs, expect possible rejections on your first submission. Have documentation ready and be prepared to refile with corrected information quickly.