The US government has already returned about $100 billion in tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, according to a UPI report and court filings from US Customs and Border Protection. That figure accounts for roughly 60% of the estimated $166 billion in "Liberation Day" tariffs imposed by the Trump administration in 2025.
CBP said more than 330,000 importers paid the duties, covering over 53 million customs entries. Refunds are being processed through the CAPE system, and the agency has received more than 250,000 refund claims so far. It added that the total value of potential and approved refunds still in processing stands at about $129 billion.
The refunds stem from a 6-3 Supreme Court ruling in February, which found that IEEPA allows the executive branch to regulate trade during emergencies but does not give it the power to levy tariffs. The court said taxing authority under Article I of the US Constitution belongs to Congress. The Trump administration’s 10% tariffs on most countries exporting to the US, announced in April 2025, were based on IEEPA. After losing the case, the administration moved to impose new tariffs on global goods under different legal authorities.
The US government has refunded about $100 billion in tariffs, according to a UPI report and filings submitted by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to the Court of International Trade. The amount is equal to roughly 60% of the Trump administration’s estimated $166 billion in “Liberation Day” tariffs collected in 2025 under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA.
Those tariffs were invalidated after the US Supreme Court ruled in February that the administration had exceeded its authority.
CBP says refunds are still being processed
In its court filing, CBP said more than 330,000 importers paid the tariffs, covering over 53 million customs entries.
The agency is handling refunds through a system called CAPE, short for Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries. CBP said it has received more than 250,000 refund claims, and the value of “potential and approved refunds” still being processed is about $129 billion.
Supreme Court ruled IEEPA does not grant tariff power
The legal basis for the refunds is a 6-3 Supreme Court decision issued in February. The court held that while IEEPA authorizes the executive branch to regulate trade during a national emergency, it does not authorize the government to impose tariffs. Under Article I of the US Constitution, taxing power belongs to Congress.
The Trump administration’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, announced in April 2025, imposed a 10% duty on most countries exporting to the US and were based on IEEPA. After the ruling, the administration quickly turned to other legal authorities to place new tariffs on goods from around the world.
CBP said the refund process remains underway, with a substantial portion still awaiting approval and disbursement.
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