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First refunds of Trump tariffs to start as early as May 12, customs agency says

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New imported vehicles and the CMA CGM Silverstone car carrier vessel are seen at the Port of Vancouver's Annacis Auto Terminal, in Delta, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency said on ​Monday it now estimates the first ‌electronic refunds from U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs deemed illegal by the Supreme ​Court will start as soon ​as May 12, a day later ⁠than an earlier estimate.

The estimated ​start date for Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments ​was disclosed in a message to shippers announcing the availability of status reports that ​allow claimants to monitor the ​processing status of their refunds.

In a Court of ‌International ⁠Trade order last week, the agency was expected to start refunds around May 11. No reason was given for ​the ​date change.

Up ⁠to US$166 billion of CBP collections from Trump’s tariffs imposed ​under the International Emergency Economic ​Powers ⁠Act are subject to CBP refunds. The Supreme Court ruled that Trump ⁠overstepped ​his authority in using ​the 1977 sanctions law to impose tariffs.

Reporting by ​David Lawder: Editing by Neil Fullick