Can NC businesses apply to the Trump administration for tariff refunds?
Good morning and welcome to another Under the Dome newsletter. I’m Esther Frances. Every Monday, we focus on President Donald Trump and his administration.
Following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down tariffs imposed by Trump without congressional approval, North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is urging businesses statewide to apply for refunds if they were affected.
Jackson is also part of a lawsuit involving other Democratic attorneys general challenging Trump’s second round of tariffs, which the president imposed under a different law.
Trade Partnership Worldwide estimated that North Carolina paid $3.5 billion in tariffs the first time around. An analysis from Yale University’s The Budget Lab said Trump’s new tariffs could cost North Carolina residents $800 to $1,300 per household this year.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection launched a developing program called the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries to “streamline the submission and processing of valid refund requests” for tariffs that were struck down, according to the agency’s website.
The agency plans to implement CAPE in phases. The first phase was launched last week and is limited to certain tariff payments, but other functions will be added.
According to Jackson, only certain businesses can submit a declaration for a refund: importers of record and licensed customs brokers. Refunds should be issued within 60 to 90 days, though it could take longer if additional review is necessary. Interest is included.
Jackson said he hopes eligible business “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,” he said.
Jackson has sued Trump more than 20 times since beginning his term as attorney general at the beginning of 2025.
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