By Bradley Dress, Zack Budryk ( July 21, 2026, 17:54 GMT | Comment) -- The US trade court has eased the government tariff refund process on "finally liquidated" entries for importers, but major questions remain over how small businesses and importers without a court order can get their money back. US Court of International Trade Judge Richard Eaton appears to be laying out a procedure for US Customs and Border Protection to continue its refund process, known as the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries, into a new phase that would include items liquidated after 90 days. Eaton also ordered a progress report on the status of the CAPE program from the federal government by Aug. 4 and a closed settlement conference the following day. Eaton, for now, has not announced a path for smaller importers who don't have the money or will to file an expensive and time-consuming lawsuit at the CIT. The US trade court has eased the government tariff refund process on "finally liquidated" entries for importers, but major questions remain over how small businesses and importers without a court order can get their money back. ...
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