WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Local businesses that were affected by recent tariffs are being encouraged to recoup their losses.

A refund system launched on Monday, April 20, for businesses that paid tariffs imposed by President Trump which the U.S. Supreme Court deemed illegal in February.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in court filings that over 330,000 importers paid a total of about $166 billion on shipments due to the tariffs.

But not all of those orders qualify for the first phase of the refund system’s rollout, which is limited to cases where tariffs were estimated but not finalized or within 80 days of a final accounting.

To receive refunds, businesses have to register for CBP’s electronic payment system.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that over 40% of Whatcom County businesses surveyed in summer 2025 said the US’s tariffs either had directly impacted or were expected to directly impact their business.

My Bellingham Now staff made additions to this post.