Sponsors (27)
Official title: Provide for the refund of duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Introduced February 24, 2026 by Ronald Lee Wyden · Last progress February 24, 2026
The bill returns unlawfully collected import duties (with interest) and speeds refund access—helping small importers and potentially consumers—at the cost of increased federal spending, added administrative burden on CBP, and no guarantee that larger firms will pass refunds through to end customers.
Importers—especially small businesses—and some middle‑class families receive refunds (including interest for IEEPA duties) for unlawfully collected import duties, returning money they previously paid and improving cash flow.
Small businesses get faster, less burdensome, and prioritized refund processing with SBA coordination, making it easier to claim refunds and access guidance.
Consumers and downstream businesses (including small retailers and families) may see lower prices or reimbursements if importers or wholesalers pass refunds through the supply chain.
Small businesses and consumers are not guaranteed to benefit because the refund/pass-through provisions are non‑binding and larger firms may retain refunds instead of passing them on.
Taxpayers bear direct fiscal costs from repaying duties with interest and from any increased federal outlays needed to cover refunds.
CBP will face increased workload to reliquidate entries and meet reporting requirements, and may need additional staffing or systems—diverting agency resources and potentially slowing other customs operations.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
CBP must refund, with interest, duties unlawfully collected under IEEPA on covered articles and complete payment within 180 days, with prioritized help for small businesses.
Requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to refund, with interest, all import duties that were unlawfully collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) on covered articles, and to reliquidate prior entries to effect those refunds. Refunds must be paid within 180 days of enactment; the Commissioner must issue guidance on drawback claims within 60 days and provide repeated progress reports to designated congressional committees, with prioritized processing and outreach for small businesses.