Trump Plans Appeal To Limit Scope Of Massive Tariff Refunds

The Justice Department told the U.S. Court of International Trade on May 30, 2026 that it will appeal a judge's order allowing importers to seek refunds of tariffs the Supreme Court overturned.^[1]

The department told the court it intends to appeal Judge Richard K. Eaton's order that extended refunds to all importers of record.^[1] U.S. Customs and Border Protection estimates about $166 billion in unlawful tariffs are owed.^[1] As of May 22, CBP had accepted refund claims totaling $85 billion and ordered $20.6 billion in payments.^[1] Refunds began reaching importer bank accounts on May 12, about three weeks after CBP opened its online claim system.^[1]

President Trump imposed the tariffs beginning in April 2025 as "reciprocal" duties on imports from nearly all countries.^[1] The Supreme Court struck down those tariffs in a 6-3 decision in late February 2026, which prompted importers to seek refunds and sparked litigation over who is eligible.^[1]

Judge Eaton set a June 9, 2026 hearing and directed CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott to appear and explain the timeline for repaying roughly 330,000 potentially eligible importers.^[1] The Justice Department's appeal could slow or narrow repayments that already began reaching bank accounts and affect billions of dollars in claims.

1. PBS News