Ranking Member Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts called on April 24 for the nation’s largest retailers and shipping companies to pass tariff refunds on to consumers and small businesses following the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down President Trump’s International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariffs. Markey addressed Amazon, FedEx, Wal-Mart, Costco, DHL, and UPS in letters urging them to return money collected from customers due to these tariffs.
The issue is significant because many small businesses and consumers paid higher costs as a result of the now-invalidated tariffs. Markey said that with U.S. Customs and Border Protection launching its new Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries portal for refund claims on April 20, companies can now submit requests for refunds of illegally collected tariffs.
“Since I first wrote to you, important developments have made this request more urgent and more actionable. On Monday, April 20, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) opened its new Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) portal through which companies can submit refund claims for illegally collected IEEPA tariffs. With this portal now operational, your company can now submit its claim for tariff refunds. The question that now demands a clear and prompt answer is: What concrete steps will your company take to pass those refunds on to the consumers and small businesses who paid for the tariffs in the first place?” Markey wrote in his letter.
He continued: “Several companies have already pledged to return tariff refunds to their customers. Your company’s customers deserve no less. Now that the refund process has been initiated, I ask that you move promptly and transparently to do so.” Markey asked each company about their expected total refund amounts including interest; what steps they are taking or plan to take regarding customer refunds; factors influencing any decisions not yet made; how they will notify eligible customers; and if any funds will not be returned why that is so.
Markey has led efforts in Congress calling for an automatic process ensuring swift returns of these funds without further burdening small businesses or families affected by past policies. He also pressed U.S. Customs officials earlier this week about issues reported by small businesses using CBP’s online system.
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