The Trump administration launched a system Monday to refund more than $166 billion in tariffs that the Supreme Court struck down in February. Importers can now submit documentation to recover duties paid under the president's trade policy, which used the International Emergency Economic Powers Act in ways no president had before. The refund process marks a reversal for an administration that long opposed returning the money.

More than 330,000 importers paid IEEPA duties on over 53 million entries, and the balance accrues roughly $650 million in interest monthly. Over 3,000 businesses, including FedEx and Costco, had already sued the government to secure refunds before the application website launched. The new system, called CAPE, can process only about 63% of import entries, with the government estimating it will take 60 to 90 days to issue refunds.

Small businesses remain skeptical. Greenbar Distillery in Los Angeles paid nearly $100,000 in illegal tariffs and called the process opaque. Wild Rye, an outdoor apparel company, expects about $250,000 in refunds but expects delays. FedEx has said it will pass any refund money along to customers.