Tariff refunds could start reaching some US consumers in the coming months.
Shipping services FedEx, UPS, and DHL say their customers can expect to see repayments after those companies pursue claims through the US Customs refund portal, which opened Monday. The agency says funds should be released after about 60 to 90 days. The shipping services say they will then begin refunding their customers.
Many e-commerce shoppers were surprised last year with hefty fees on packages from overseas, due to a combination of the end of the de minimis exemption for lower-value imports and the smattering of new tariff fees.
In many cases, shipping companies that imported international packages paid the tariffs on behalf of the intended recipient and required payment to complete the delivery.
Now, FedEx, UPS, and DHL are effectively running that process in reverse for the tariffs overturned by the Supreme Court.
“Our intent is straightforward: if refunds are issued to FedEx, we will issue refunds for IEEPA tariffs paid to the shippers and consumers who originally bore those charges,” FedEx said in a statement on its website.
How to get your money back
UPS and DHL likewise said in statements that they will automatically issue refunds through established processes and that most customers would not need to contact the companies directly.
In cases where a recipient was the official importer of record — meaning they handled their own Customs paperwork and paid their own fees directly — those customers would need to file claims themselves through the refund portal.
US Customs and Border Patrol said it is in the first phase of the refund program, which is limited to imports that were finalized since January 30 of this year. The agency has not yet said when it would begin refunding tariffs paid before that date.
A few other things to note if you’re hoping to get a refund:
The Supreme Court struck down only some of Trump’s tariffs, mainly the “reciprocal” tariffs imposed under an emergency powers authority. Other tariffs, such as those under Section 232, which covers aluminum and steel products, are still in effect and won’t be refunded. Each tariff type is typically broken out as separate line items on the final bill.
Tariffs weren’t the only line items on the bills that US customers were expected to pay to receive their international shipments. UPS says administrative and brokerage fees were “legal and valid at the time of the charge” and will not be refunded.
FedEx and DHL did not address administrative fees in their statements, and several lawsuits are pending in which customers are seeking refunds for those additional charges.
Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at [email protected] or text/call/Signal at 646-768-4750. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here’s our guide to sharing information securely.
