Refunds for US IEPA Tariffs Have Begun! A Thorough Explanation of the Impact on Cross-Border E-commerce Sellers
On the night of April 20, news that "procedures for tariff refunds in the United States have begun" was reported simultaneously by Japanese media, sending a major shockwave through the cross-border e-commerce industry.
This procedure also includes Japanese companies, making it long-awaited news for many Japanese sellers.
However, before celebrating prematurely, it is necessary to correctly understand the details of which tariffs will be refunded and exactly how.
In this article, I will explain the essence of this news and the actions that Japanese sellers should take.
Hello. I am Anna, who runs "NEXT STAGE," a cross-border sales school for intermediate to advanced sellers. As a Shopify consultant and overseas marketer, I provide support for cross-border e-commerce and international sales.
In this note, I share practical information, the latest news, and my own thoughts on marketing and management for cross-border e-commerce sellers. I hope this will be helpful to those who have even a little bit of overseas business.
I would be even happier if you could read to the end and press the heart button as a sign that you found it interesting or helpful! Thank you.
▼NEXT STAGE Official Website: Please check here for details on our cross-border sales school!
Why are tariffs being refunded? (Background of IEPA tariffs)
The current refund procedure targets "additional tariffs" that were collected under the Trump administration based on the U.S. International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEPA).
Following the U.S. Court of International Trade's ruling that tariff collections based on this IEPA were "unconstitutional," U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) rapidly built a refund system, which began operations on April 20, 2024.
Will the full amount be returned? Points to note regarding "refund eligibility"
The most important point to note here is that not all of the tariffs paid will be refunded.
The payments of around 15% to 18% that we usually call "tariffs" are like a "package" that combines standard tariffs, existing additional tariffs, and administrative fees.
The target for this refund is only the "surcharge derived from the IEPA" within that package.
Can Japanese sellers receive refunds?
Initially, there was concern that this might not directly affect many individual sellers using DHL or FedEx, as the refund target was limited to the "Importer of Record (IOR)" who paid the tariffs directly.
However, FedEx has officially announced that once they receive the refund from the CBP, they will promptly refund the customers (shippers or consumers) who actually bore the costs.
This has opened a path for refunds for Japanese sellers who were indirectly bearing the tariff costs.
Future schedule and preparations
Currently, as "Phase 1," the process covers cases where the official tariff amount has not been finalized or relatively recent declarations made within the last 80 days.
After that, it is expected that the acceptance of applications will be expanded in stages to include past cases.
【Preparations to Make Now】
Organize invoices for the target period: According to source information, shipments sent via DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) between February 2025 and February 2026 are currently eligible.
Check for notifications from shipping carriers: Keep a close eye on your personal pages or emails from carriers like FedEx for any special pages or guidance regarding the refund process.
Summary: Stay Calm and Keep Your Documents Secure
While this news is very positive, there are still some uncertainties regarding exactly when and how the refunds will be processed.
Don't panic; the most important thing is to organize your shipping documents for the target period and ensure you are ready to apply whenever the time comes.
Would you like to learn the 'winning strategy' for cross-border e-commerce?
The world of cross-border e-commerce is constantly changing, with tariff adjustments and platform policy revisions.
To correctly capture this latest information and maximize your profits, you need the right knowledge and the latest strategies.
The cross-border e-commerce online school 'NEXT STAGE' provides the latest know-how from active sellers and offers thorough support tailored to your individual situation.
'The tariff system is complicated and I'm worried...'
'I don't know how to apply the latest news to my business'
'I want to take my export business to the next level'
If you have these concerns, please come for a free consultation. We will share tips to help you take your business to the 'next stage'.
[Apply for a free consultation via the 'NEXT STAGE Official LINE']
Feel free to contact us by adding us as a friend! We also accept requests for individual consultations.
▼NEXT STAGE Official Website: Click here for details on our cross-border sales school!
We also share the latest news and practical know-how useful for cross-border e-commerce and sales on YouTube and stand.fm.
We talk about real perspectives that cannot be fully conveyed in writing, as well as our analysis of the latest trends, so please check those out as well.
【YouTube 'Overseas Sales CH by Otakuquest Inc.'】
We are posting useful information for cross-border e-commerce sellers every day!
【Podcast now streaming on stand.fm】
We distribute the content we post on YouTube and note as a podcast so you can easily listen while on the move or working.
[NEXT STAGE Official Link Collection]
YouTube, stand.fm, official LINE, school details, and more—all contact points are gathered here. Please feel free to check them out via your preferred platform.