New portal opens for businesses to claim tariff refunds
Posted on April 21, 2026 | News
Maine business leaders say the process could bring relief but hope refunds will eventually be directed toward consumers.
Author: Alex Haskell (NCM)
Published: 3:20 PM EDT April 20, 2026
Updated: 6:41 PM EDT April 20, 2026
AUGUSTA, Maine — A new federal portal is now live, giving businesses across the country, including in Maine, a chance to claim refunds on tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump that were ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year.
The system, launched Monday by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, marks the first step in what officials say will be a lengthy reimbursement process.
For some Maine business leaders, though, it’s a welcome development.
“Tariffs in themselves have been a terrible policy impacting Maine’s small businesses,” said Lee Umphrey, president and CEO of the Eastern Maine Development Corporation.
The portal operates through a system known as the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE), which allows importers and customs brokers to begin filing claims.
According to federal officials, the first phase will prioritize businesses that made recent tariff payments, with additional phases expected later.
Umphrey said the financial strain from tariffs has been significant, especially for smaller companies.
“Production costs have gone up, it’s fueling inflation, supply chains have been broken, which at the end of the day, profits are reduced for businesses,” Umphrey told NEWS CENTER.
The refunds apply specifically to Trump’s most sweeping tariffs that justices ruled he overstepped his authority on in late February.
Following that decision, Trump criticized the ruling, calling it “deeply disappointing” and continuing to defend tariffs as a tool to protect American manufacturing and strengthen the economy.
Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree is also weighing in, sharply criticizing the handling of the refunds.
“Instead of providing relief directly to the American people, which he repeatedly promised to do, that $166 billion will be handed out to private companies, including some of the biggest corporations in the world,” Pingree said in a statement. “While tariff costs were passed onto consumers, there is little reason to believe those refunds will be. Funny how that works, isn’t it?”
Umphrey said the refunds are still a positive step, even if broader relief is uncertain.
“At the end of the day, it’s good that businesses are getting refunds,” he said.
But he also argued relief should extend beyond businesses.
“Consumers should really be allowed to get refunds because the tariffs are putting the burden on businesses, and it gets passed down to us,” added Umphrey.
It remains unclear when additional refund phases will roll out or how many businesses will ultimately qualify.
Federal officials say businesses approved in this first round could begin receiving payments within 60 to 90 days.