WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration has refunded more than $20 billion in tariffs to importers and shippers following a February Supreme Court ruling that struck down the administration's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose country-specific tariffs. The court ruled that the administration exceeded its statutory authority by applying IEPPA—which allows emergency economic powers—to justify tariffs targeting specific nations.

As of May 22, $20.6 billion in tariff refunds had been completed out of approximately $85 billion in certified and potential refund claims accepted for processing, according to Brandon Lord, executive director of trade programs at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency. "Approximately $85 billion in both potential and certified refunds have been accepted for processing," Lord said.

The administration had collected more than $165 billion in country-specific tariffs under IEPPA since President Trump took office. Hundreds of companies, including Costco, Walmart, Home Depot, Target, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, FedEx, UPS, and DHL, applied for refunds after the court’s decision. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency opened a refund portal on April 20 for more than 330,000 firms that had paid the invalidated tariffs.

Despite the refunds, importers continue to pay a 10% blanket tariff imposed by Trump under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 immediately after the Supreme Court ruling. That provision allows the president to impose global tariffs of up to 15% for 150 days. Trump had threatened to raise the rate to 15% but has not done so. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said he does not expect Congress to block the administration from restarting the 150-day clock, noting that the Trade Act does not specify whether Section 122 can be reused after the initial period expires.

President Trump criticized the Supreme Court’s decision, calling it "a terrible decision," and said refunding tariffs meant "you’re talking about the people in many cases that hate our country, giving them back money." He also stated he would "remember" which companies chose not to seek refunds. Companies including Nike Inc., Lululemon Athletica Inc., and Amazon.com Inc. have been hit by lawsuits from customers alleging they are owed a refund because they paid higher prices due to tariffs later deemed unlawful.