CAPE Portal Opens for Tariff Refunds

0:00It's April 16. Welcome to U.S. News Today, powered by AI and covering the nation. U.S. Customs and Border Protection just rolled out a new portal called Cappy for businesses hit by those Trump-era tariffs to claim refunds. It kicks off this Monday, April 20, making it easier to file claims electronically after the Supreme Court ruled back in February that the tariffs broke the law under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The setup targets duties paid under that act, with up to 82% of the $127 billion collected now eligible. As of April 9, more than 56,000 importers had already signed up and refunds go to companies or brokers who covered the costs, but not. Everyday consumers who saw higher prices. Small business groups, like the Main Street Alliance, call it a step forward, but they're pushing for something simpler since owners shouldn't have to. Chase money they never owed. Three lawyers echo that, saying Customs has all the data for automatic refunds, but

1:03is making folks jump through hoops instead. Processing times sit at 60 to 90 days once approved, and while officials promise a smooth electronic path, some attorneys worry the system. My glitch, when claims flood in starting Monday. Keep an eye on this as businesses line up their paperwork, could mean billions falling back and a real shift in how trade disputes get handled down the line.