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First refunds of Trump tariffs to start as early as May 12, customs agency says

By Thomson Reuters May 4, 2026 | 6:56 PM

WASHINGTON, May 4 (Reuters) – The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency said on Monday it ​now estimates the first ‌electronic refunds from U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs deemed illegal by the Supreme Court will start as soon ‌as ​May 12, a ⁠day later than ⁠an earlier estimate.

• The estimated start date for Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments was disclosed in ​a message to shippers announcing the availability of status reports ⁠that allow claimants ⁠to monitor the processing ​status of their refunds.

• In a ​Court of International Trade order ‌last week, the agency was expected to start refunds around May 11. No reason was ⁠given for the date change.

• Up to $166 billion of CBP collections from Trump’s ⁠tariffs ‌imposed under the International ⁠Emergency Economic Powers Act ​are ‌subject to CBP refunds. ​The Supreme ⁠Court ruled that Trump overstepped his authority in using the 1977 sanctions law to impose tariffs.

(Reporting by David Lawder: Editing by ​Neil Fullick)