US importers are set to receive $85bn in tariff refunds following a Supreme Court ruling that struck down Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs in February, according to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The agency reported that $20bn has already been refunded, with an additional $65bn expected to be returned.
The Supreme Court ruled that Trump overstepped his authority in imposing the tariffs, including a baseline 10% levy on all imports. This marked the first time the highest court overturned Trump's policies during his second term. Businesses, from Kentucky whisky distilleries to major corporations, had struggled with higher costs and uncertainty for nearly a year.
Walmart reported price increases, while Jim Beam announced a year-long distillery closure due to tariff volatility. Although the court did not specify refund eligibility, major retailers and associations, including the National Retail Federation and the US Chamber of Commerce, pushed for the return of $133bn in tariffs covered by the ruling.
Despite Trump's praise for companies that delayed refund requests, many large firms, including Walmart and General Motors, filed claims. FedEx sued the government for a refund, while others used a CBP portal. Walmart stated it would likely use refunds to lower prices for financially strained customers.
The Tax Foundation found that tariffs cost US households an average tax increase of $1,000 in 2025, with $700 expected this year. A March Harris/Guardian poll showed 70% of Americans reported higher prices, and a majority viewed tariffs negatively. Since the ruling, Trump introduced a new 10% tariff under a different statute, but a US trade court ruled against it in May.
