Hawaii businesses urged to apply for tariff refunds

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – If you’re a business owner who paid tariffs on foreign imports, you could be entitled to a refund after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the tariffs are illegal.

Read more What’s Cooking: Laotian food and Japanese matcha with Saap Saap

In April, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection opened its to process refund requests. Some companies are starting to get money back for tariffs collected under the Trump Administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

The Supreme Court in February ruled the administration exceeded its authority and deemed the IEEPA tariffs unconstitutional. More than 330,000 importers paid $166 billion in tariffs.

The government says reimbursements should arrive 60 to 90 days after a claim is approved.

Dale Wright of the Hawaii Pacific Export Council joined HNN’s Sunrise to talk about the refund process.

Read more Police search for suspect after man injured with gunshot wounds

The online CAPE system is designed to simplify the process by handling refunds in bulk rather than on a case-by-case basis.

Wright urges local business owners to sign up for free informational webinars and apply for refunds as soon as possible

If you’re eligible for a tariff refund, apply through the CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) portal.

For information on the Hawaii Pacific Export Council, visit hawaiiexportsupport.com.

Read more First Alert Forecast: WET trade wind flow and still slightly unstable conditions