Small Business Tariff Reimbursement Process Updates
Date postedMarch 19, 2026
On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 to strike down President Trump’s sweeping tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The Court upheld lower court decisions finding that the administration exceeded its authority by invoking a 1977 law intended for national emergencies to impose so called “reciprocal” tariffs on nearly every foreign trading partner. The tariffs, which have burdened our small businesses since last April, were deemed unlawful by a bipartisan majority of Supreme Court justices. Learn more about the ruling.
The Federal government claims that it is creating an IEEPA tariff reimbursement process. It is being recommended that small business owners ensure you have access to the ACE portal (US CBP Import and Export Processing System) and monitor it regularly, as this platform is most likely going to be where small businesses will be able to submit for automated tariff refunds.
We will continue to follow the updates and keep you informed. For now, you may find Ranking Member Markey's most recent actions on tariffs here and you can send any questions to Joe Tutino via sbcdem_press@sbc.senate.gov.
If you'd like to share your business's story and the burden these illegal tariffs have had on your business, please let Jordan know. These stories are important to the urgency of this process moving forward.