Global trade policy continues to shift rapidly, and for home furnishings retailers, those changes can have immediate consequences for costs, cash flow, and supply chain planning. From the rollout of IEEPA duty refunds to the possibility of new tariffs under Sections 232 and 301, importers are navigating a complex and evolving landscape. Below is a look at the latest developments and what they may mean for businesses across the industry.
IEEPA Duty Refunds
Following the Supreme Court’s February 20 decision invalidating the IEEPA tariffs, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is now processing refunds for eligible importers. The invalidated tariffs included the reciprocal tariffs and the so-called “fentanyl” tariffs. According to CBP, more than $150 billion in IEEPA duties were collected between April 2, 2025, and the Court’s decision.
On April 20, CBP launched the CAPE portal within the ACE system to begin processing what is expected to be a very large volume of refund claims.
What we know so far:
- The CAPE portal went live as planned and, aside from a few glitches, has generally been functioning well.
- As of April 28, CBP reported that about 21% of eligible IEEPA refund claims had been filed.
- CBP also indicated that it had already approved roughly 3% of claims, with refunds expected to be issued via ACH refund during the week of May 11.
- CBP has emphasized that importers must have an active ACE Portal account and must enter their bank details in the ACH Refund tab to receive payment. If those steps are not completed, refunds will be held until the importer updates their account information.
Key considerations for importers:
- Claims are being filed on a first-come, first-served basis, and early filings appear to be progressing smoothly through the process.
- Foreign-based importers may face longer delays. If an importer does not have a U.S. bank account, CBP cannot issue the refund directly unless the importer assigns the refund to its customs broker using CBP Form 4811. CBP has stated that processing this form may take 30 days or more, and refund claims cannot be submitted until that update is complete. Importers should use caution and only assign refunds to a trusted party.
- Companies that were not the importer of record but still paid the duty, such as through shipments handled by FedEx, DHL, or UPS, 5. should contact the party they paid to confirm whether they may be eligible to receive a refund.
- Importers may file claims on their own, but they should proceed carefully. The ACE Portal and refund process can be complex, and incorrectly filed claims could result in delays or lost refunds.
New Section 232 Tariff on Automobiles from the European Union
The President recently posted on social media that an additional 25% duty would be imposed on automobile imports from Europe under Section 232.
At this time, no formal details have been released. It is still unclear:
- which HTS codes would be covered,
- when the tariff would take effect, and
- whether any exclusions or implementation guidance will be provided.
We will continue monitoring for official action and share updates as more information becomes available.
Section 301 Tariff Investigations
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is currently conducting two Section 301 investigations.
USTR is hearing public testimony in both investigations, for Forced Labor concerns and excess capacity in manufacturing, which will conclude this week. To date, USTR has been asking witnesses specific questions, seeking examples of companies/industries that can access certain products and components domestically.
Unlike previous Section 301 investigations, which have been country-specific (ie, examining IP theft from China), these Section 301 topics apply to all US trading partners. This is part of the reasoning behind the belief that any resulting tariffs from these investigations would ‘replace’ previous IEEPA country-specific tariff rates.
We expect additional information in the coming months. While no final action has been announced, there is a reasonable possibility that these investigations could result in new tariffs. At this stage, however, nothing is certain.
Special 301 Report – Vietnam IP Enforcement
Recently, USTR issued a Special 301 report designating Vietnam as a ‘Priority Foreign Country’ due to ‘egregious’ IP enforcement shortcomings. This is the highest possible designation and has not been issued to a country in 10+ years. Within 30 days of the report release (April 30, 2026), USTR will declare its intention to open a separate 301 investigation. Ultimately, this could complicate tariffs from products imported from Vietnam – at a minimum, it will be something for the US and Vietnam to address in ongoing trade negotiations.
HFA Takeaway
For retailers and other importers, the immediate priority is ensuring that all refund-related account information in the ACE Portal is complete and accurate, especially ACH banking details. Businesses should also remain alert to potential new tariff actions under both Section 232 and Section 301, as these could affect sourcing costs and supply chain planning in the months ahead. If you missed it, HFA’s CEO, Peter Theran, had an in-depth conversation with customs broker, Steve Fodor, breaking down all the questions retailers have surrounding IEEPA Tariffs and the refund process.
HFA will continue to monitor these developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.
