Sell Your IEEPA Tariff Claim

IEEPA Tariff Background

Between February 2025 and February 2026, the U.S. Executive branch utilized the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to bypass Congress and implement aggressive "Liberation Day" and "Fentanyl" tariffs. These reached as high as 50% for certain countries like Lesotho and Cambodia, and averaged 15%–25% for major partners like Vietnam and Brazil.

‍The Supreme Court Ruling

‍On February 20, 2026, in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, the Supreme Court ruled that IEEPA does not grant the President the authority to impose trade duties. As of February 24, 2026, these tariffs are no longer being collected, and all previously paid duties are now subject to refund claims.

Are You Eligible?

‍If you imported goods from any country internationally during the "IEEPA Window" (Feb 2025 – Feb 2026), you likely have a claim. Here are some examples of what items and countries that are affected:

‍Vietnam: Electronics, Apparel, and Furniture.
‍Brazil: Industrial Machinery, Iron/Steel, and Cotton.
‍China: Virtually all non-exempt goods hit by the 10% IEEPA "Fentanyl" surcharge.
‍Canada & Mexico: Non-USMCA compliant goods (especially automotive parts).

Why Sell Your IEEPA Claim Now?

‍While the Supreme Court has cleared the path for refunds, the road to actually receiving your capital is filled with bureaucratic and political hurdles. For many businesses, selling a claim for immediate cash is a strategic move to de-risk their balance sheet.

‍1. Immediate Liquidity vs. Frozen Capital
‍Waiting for a government refund means your capital is locked in a zero-interest account with the Treasury. By selling your claim today, you convert a "maybe" into immediate working capital that can be reinvested into your operations, inventory, or R&D right now.
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‍2. Unknown Refund Timelines
‍There is currently no official "payout date" for the $142 billion in estimated IEEPA overpayments. Historically, large-scale customs refunds can take months or years to process, especially when the total volume of claims is this unprecedented. Selling allows you to bypass this multi-year waiting room.

‍3. Regulatory Resistance & Procedural Hurdles
‍The administration has not yet established a formal process for these specific refunds. There is a high probability that the Treasury or CBP may introduce complex "automated" verification steps or manual audits designed to slow down the outflow of federal funds. If the process becomes a "paperwork war," your internal teams could be bogged down for months.

‍4. Political & Timing Risks
‍Trade policy is in a state of constant flux. While the Supreme Court ruled the IEEPA tariffs illegal on February 20, 2026, the administration has already shifted to new Section 122 surcharges. There is no guarantee that future executive actions or legislative maneuvers won't attempt to "offset" these refunds or complicate the legal standing of certain claimants. Selling your claim locks in your value today and removes the risk of future policy shifts.
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