If your shop imported supplies or equipment over the past year, you may be entitled to a refund on tariffs that were recently invalidated by the Supreme Court. The process has officially begun, and the window to act is open. Navigating the process, however, takes a few steps depending on how your imports were handled.
What happened
In February, the Supreme Court struck down tariffs that had been imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has since launched a system called the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) to handle refund claims through its online portal, the Automated Commercial Environment. Refunds are being issued as a lump sum per importer, with interest, rather than per individual shipment. CBP expects most refunds to be paid out within 60 to 90 days after a claim is accepted.
The rollout is happening in phases. The current phase covers shipments that haven’t yet been finalized or were finalized within the 80 days prior to April 20, 2026. Most imports subject to these tariffs fall into that window, so the majority of eligible claims can be filed now. A subsequent phase will address older finalized shipments, though the timing for that hasn’t been confirmed.
How to find out if you’re eligible
For most Print Creative Alliance members, the first call is to your distributor or import broker. If your items came in through a third party, they handled the import filings and are the ones with access to the CAPE portal. Reach out and ask directly about the refund process for your shipments. They should be able to tell you whether your imports qualify and what steps they’re taking on your behalf.
If you placed an order directly with an overseas supplier and handled the import yourself, you may be able to register directly with CBP for an account and file your own CAPE declaration. This is less common for most print shops, but worth exploring if it applies to your situation.
A few things to keep in mind
The refund process is moving faster than many trade experts anticipated, but there are still open questions, particularly around the timing of future phases for older shipments. The system is new, claims are coming in at high volume, and some details are still being worked out at the federal level.
It’s worth starting the conversation with your distributor or broker sooner rather than later. The earlier you understand where your shipments stand in the process, the better position you’ll be in when it’s time to file.
We can help
If you’re not sure where to start or want help researching the process for your specific situation, reach out to Print Creative Alliance at ian.flynn@printcreative.org. We’re tracking developments on this issue and can help point you in the right direction. This is a meaningful financial opportunity for many members, and we want to make sure you have what you need to take advantage of it.
