Ranking Member Edward J. Markey called on April 24 for major retailers and shipping companies to return tariff refunds to consumers and small businesses affected by tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which were recently struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.
This issue is important because many small businesses and customers paid these tariffs, which have now been ruled illegal. Markey said that with a new portal from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) now open for submitting refund claims, large companies can seek refunds and should pass those funds back to those who originally bore the costs.
In his letters to Amazon, FedEx, Wal-Mart, Costco, DHL, and UPS, Markey wrote: “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 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.” He requested answers from these companies about how much they expect in refunds with interest; what steps they will take or plan regarding returning funds; how they will notify eligible customers; what factors are influencing their decisions if no commitment has yet been made; how non-returned funds would be used; among other questions.
Markey has also called on CBP for a simple automatic refund process as issues have already been reported with its online payment system by small businesses. Earlier this month he joined Senate leaders in releasing a report on Trump’s "Liberation Day" tariffs one year later.
The Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee supports informed decision-making on national fiscal priorities according to its official website. The committee also offers Congress comprehensive policy options on federal budget components according to its official website.
The committee features Lindsey Graham as chairman and Jeff Merkley as ranking member according to its official website. It contributes to congressional budget processes through resolutions and reconciliation instructions according to its official website, was established through the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 according to its official website, and provides nonpartisan budgetary analysis via oversight of the Congressional Budget Office according to its official website.
Broader implications include potential relief for American small businesses if major corporations act quickly on Markey’s requests regarding tariff refunds.
