Tariff Refund Recovery Options Compared
The Supreme Court struck down IEEPA tariffs. Now you need to decide how to recover your money. Here are your options.
Understanding Your Recovery Options
Following the Supreme Court's February 2026 ruling that IEEPA tariffs are unconstitutional, every U.S. importer who paid these duties has the right to file for a refund. But the path you choose matters. Filing a CBP protest correctly requires knowledge of customs procedures, specific documentation, and strict adherence to the 180-day deadline. The wrong approach can mean delays, denials, or permanent loss of your refund.
Below are the four main approaches importers are taking. Each has trade-offs in cost, risk, time, and expertise. Click any option for a detailed side-by-side comparison.
Dedicated Recovery Service
A specialized service (like Tariff Arrow) handles everything on contingency. You pay nothing upfront and only a percentage of what's recovered.
Best for: Most importers
Trade Lawyer
Hire a trade attorney at $400-800/hour. Best for complex cases involving ongoing litigation or anti-dumping duties.
Best for: Complex litigation cases
DIY Filing
File your own CBP protest. Free but risky — errors can permanently disqualify your refund.
Best for: Experienced customs professionals
Do Nothing
Skip filing entirely and forfeit your refund. The government keeps 100% of the unconstitutional tariffs you paid.
Best for: No one
How the CBP Protest Process Works
Regardless of which option you choose, recovering your IEEPA tariff refund follows the same basic process: you file a formal protest with U.S. Customs and Border Protection under 19 U.S.C. §1514. The protest must identify the specific entries, the duty amounts paid under IEEPA authority, and reference the Supreme Court ruling as the legal basis. CBP then reviews the protest and, if approved, issues a refund.
The complexity lies in the details. You need your CBP Form 7501 entry summaries, correct identification of IEEPA-specific duty lines (separate from Section 301, 232, or anti-dumping duties), accurate calculations, and timely filing at the correct CBP port. Our step-by-step CBP protest filing guide walks through the full process.
Why Most Importers Choose a Recovery Service
The IEEPA tariff refund process has a hard 180-day deadline, requires specific CBP filing procedures, and involves detailed analysis of entry documents. A dedicated recovery service handles all of this on contingency — zero upfront cost, zero risk. You focus on your business while experts handle the recovery.
For importers with entries across multiple ports, mixed tariff classifications, or large volumes of shipments, the time savings alone make professional recovery worthwhile. Use our free refund calculator to estimate your potential recovery amount.
Key Factors to Consider
Cost Structure
Upfront fees vs. contingency. Who bears the financial risk?
Expertise Level
General trade law vs. specialized IEEPA recovery knowledge.
Time Investment
Hours of your time vs. minutes. What's your time worth?
Related Resources
- IEEPA Tariff Refund: What You Need to Know — Background on the Supreme Court ruling and eligibility
- CBP Protest Filing Guide — Step-by-step instructions for the filing process
- 2026 Filing Deadline — Why the August 19, 2026 deadline is absolute
- Refund Calculator — Estimate your potential recovery amount
- Countries With Tariffs — Full list of affected countries and tariff rates
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