U.S. Businesses can begin filing for reimbursement of tariffs imposed during the Trump administration starting Monday, according to multiple French and Swiss news outlets.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency will accept claims for refunds on duties paid on imported goods under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which authorized the tariffs on Chinese goods beginning in 2018. Eligible companies may seek repayment for duties paid between 2018 and 2020, with the total potential refund amount estimated at $127 billion across all affected importers.
The reimbursement process follows a recent federal court ruling that found certain aspects of the tariff implementation violated administrative procedures, prompting the government to establish a formal claims mechanism. Companies must submit documentation proving payment of the duties and eligibility under the court’s guidelines to qualify for refunds.
Swiss firms that exported goods to the U.S. During the tariff period are also reviewing their eligibility, though the primary focus of the reimbursement program remains on U.S.-based importers who bore the direct cost of the duties. Trade analysts note that the outcome could influence future policy discussions on trade enforcement and administrative accountability.
The initiative marks one of the largest potential refund programs in recent U.S. Trade history, with implications for corporate cash flows and supply chain cost structures. Observers suggest the timeline for processing claims could extend over several months, depending on the volume of submissions and administrative review capacity.
As of Friday, the U.S. Department of Commerce had not released official guidance on claim forms or submission deadlines, but industry groups have been advising members to prepare documentation in anticipation of the Monday launch.
