Attorney General Jeff Jackson said on Apr. 24 that North Carolina businesses should apply for refunds related to tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in February.
Jackson said, “These tariffs cost North Carolina families and businesses $3.5 billion. That was money people needed for food, gas, and running their businesses. I hope eligible businesses act now to apply for refunds. The newly announced system is a good first step, but we need a faster process for refunds that doesn’t burden businesses.”
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has launched a portal allowing importers of record and licensed customs brokers to seek tariff refunds through the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries platform. This is the first phase of refund applications, which are currently limited to certain payments, with more functionality expected in later phases.
Applicants must submit a declaration with relevant entry lists via an Automated Commercial Environment Secure Data Portal account. Refunds are expected within 60-90 days if accepted but may take longer if further review is needed.
Nationally, these tariffs have resulted in over $166 billion in costs to consumers and businesses according to federal data cited by Jackson’s office. He has called on Congress to pass legislation requiring automatic reimbursement of illegal tariff charges with interest through a fair process not burdensome to business owners.
In correspondence sent to Congress, Jackson and other attorneys general argued that the Customs ACE portal already contains necessary information for returning collected funds automatically and urged that refunded amounts be passed along from importers back to customers who bore higher prices.
Jackson also joined other attorneys general in March in filing suit against new federal tariffs imposed after the Supreme Court decision striking down previous measures.
The John Locke Foundation estimated that these tariffs could cost North Carolina’s farming industry about $1.9 billion and result in up to 8,000 job losses if retaliatory measures continue.
The North Carolina State Executive Attorney General aims to prevent crime, assist law enforcement, protect consumers and defend state residents’ rights according to its official website. Jeff Jackson heads this office as attorney general according to its official website, providing services across all regions of North Carolina according to its official website. The office also represents state agencies in court proceedings and prosecutes criminal appeals according to its official website, while acting as an authorized government entity handling legal matters on behalf of the state according to its official website.
