In a significant development for international shoppers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has started accepting refund requests for certain tariffs that were invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court. This initiative marks a phased rollout aimed at reimbursing consumers charged excessive import fees on online purchases because of specific tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
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Customers who made international orders may have faced unexpected tariff charges, a topic that has gained considerable attention on social media over recent years. In response, United Parcel Service (UPS) is facilitating the refund process for customers affected by these tariffs, specifically those enacted on or after January 30, 2026.
Only certain tariffs are eligible for refunds, including some that are currently pending. Importantly, any tariffs collected prior to this date do not qualify for the current refund initiative. According to UPS, for most individual customers who paid duties and taxes through their services, the company acted as the importer of record (IOR)—the entity legally accountable for shipments entering the U.S.
This status means that, for eligible shipments where UPS served as the IOR, customers generally do not need to take any action towards obtaining refunds. UPS has proactively submitted refund requests to the CBP on behalf of affected customers and will issue the reimbursements once funds are received from the agency. The company has expressed its commitment to assist consumers throughout this refund process.
The process is being implemented in stages, with Phase One specifically addressing unliquidated entries and those within 80 days of liquidation, as well as certain pending tariff payments. For customers qualifying for a Phase One refund, UPS will apply the refund and any accrued interest to outstanding invoices on their account, with any remaining balance expected to be released within 60 to 90 days after receiving funds from the CBP.
To help customers navigate this process, UPS has introduced an online tool known as the IEEPA Tariff Refund Lookup. This resource enables users to check their eligibility for refunds by logging into their UPS accounts. Shoppers can view all eligible packages linked to their accounts or track individual shipments by inputting either their tracking number or delivery address.
The refund process will evolve into Phases Two and Three. Phase Two commenced on June 29 and allows refund claims for tariff entries that are flagged for reconciliation. In these cases, customers must submit their claims directly to CBP, as UPS does not act as the IOR for these entries.
Looking ahead, Phase Three is anticipated to start in late July and will encompass claims for entries that have been fully liquidated, indicating that CBP has completed its review. UPS has committed to closely monitoring the developments regarding this final phase and will respond accordingly to facilitate refunds for eligible entries.
The rollout of tariff refunds offers a glimmer of hope for consumers who have been burdened by high import fees and provides a structured path to reclaiming costs associated with previous purchases. As the situation develops, many shoppers will likely welcome the opportunity to recover funds that should have remained in their pockets.