$166 Billion in Tariff Refunds Are Coming — Here's What Wyoming Importers Need to Know
- Cassie Kelley
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
The biggest tariff refund in U.S. history launches April 20, 2026. Is your business ready?
Following the U.S. Supreme Court's February 2026 decision striking down tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, Customs and Border Protection is launching a historic refund process on Monday April 20, 2026.
Approximately $166 billion in IEEPA tariff refunds is owed to roughly 330,000 importers nationwide, plus interest accrued from the date duties were originally collected. If your Wyoming business imported goods between March 2025 and February 2026 and paid IEEPA-based tariffs, you are likely owed money.
Who Does This Affect in Wyoming?
Wyoming's economy is built on industries that regularly import equipment, parts, and materials from outside the United States. Businesses most likely affected include:
Oil and gas companies importing equipment and components
Mining operations bringing in heavy machinery and parts
Construction companies importing materials and equipment
Manufacturing businesses importing raw materials or components
Energy sector companies importing specialized equipment
Retailers who import products directly
If your operation brings in anything from heavy industrial machinery to specialty supplies from outside the U.S. this refund process could mean significant money back in your pocket.
What Is CAPE?
CBP's new refund system is called CAPE — Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries — and it operates through CBP's existing ACE Portal. For most importers the process will be largely automated, with CBP identifying eligible entries and calculating refunds without requiring individual claims. However there are critical steps businesses need to take now to ensure they can actually receive their refund.
Phase 1 of CAPE launches April 20, 2026 and covers approximately 63% of entries — specifically unliquidated entries and entries within 80 days of liquidation. Additional phases will follow to cover more complex entry scenarios.
What To Do Right Now
1. Enroll in ACH Refund — Most Urgent This is the single most important step and the one most importers have not yet completed. CBP will only issue refunds electronically and requires ACH enrollment in the ACE Portal. Without this your refund cannot be deposited into your account regardless of how much you are owed.
2. Verify Your ACE Portal Account Make sure your account is active and your importer record information is current including a company email address — not your broker's email. This is required for authentication.
3. Compile Your Entry Data Gather entry numbers, entry dates, port of entry, duty amounts paid, and liquidation status for any entries where IEEPA duties were assessed. Having this organized in advance will streamline your submission.
4. Consult Your Customs Broker Your customs broker can help you determine whether your entries qualify for Phase 1 or a later phase, help you navigate the CAPE Declaration filing process, and ensure you don't miss anything.
Important Things To Know
These refunds apply only to IEEPA-based tariffs. Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and other materials are not affected by the Supreme Court ruling and are not eligible for refunds under this process.
Refunds are generally expected within 60-90 days of CAPE Declaration acceptance and will include statutory interest from the date duties were originally collected.
If you do not receive a refund within 12 months of the first automated disbursements contact CBP or file a formal claim.
The Bottom Line
This is real money owed to Wyoming businesses. Don't leave it on the table. Contact your customs broker today and take these preparation steps before Monday's launch.