In February 2025, the Trump administration announced that it was declaring a national emergency under the Internation Emergency Economic Powers Act as a result of the increased flow of fentanyl and other controlled substances into the country via our borders. Shortly after, it imposed tariffs on Mexico, China and Canada, with rates rising by anywhere from 10 percent to 25 percent. The administration justified these tariffs alleging that they were needed to combat the fentanyl crisis that was killing tens of thousands of Americans each year. However, as it soon became obvious, this order wasn’t supported by data, and it came under attack by states who were able to see the truth of the matter, which was that the president was only effectuating these tariffs as a way of collecting revenue for the Treasury, an action that eventually got ruled as being unlawful by the Supreme Court, leading to the reversal of the IEEPA tariff refunds. Over the last month or so, a system to disburse these funds back to the import corporations that paid them has been built, and entries are being processed with Judge Eaton watching over the process keenly. If you paid IEEPA import tariffs, you may be in the process of getting started on the refund process and may need timely legal assistance on the same, and may be wondering about the genesis of the government gaffe. In this post, we’ll take a look at the history of IEEPA tariffs as well as provide you with timely tips on how to get started on your IEEPA tariffs refund process – read on to find out more.
Are you looking for a best IEEPA tariffs refunds attorney? Please call us NOW at (314) 481-63338 to learn more about your legal options for justice and compensation as they relate to IEEPA refunds and the process. McCready Law is proud to announce that we have joined forces with Frost Law Arizona to help corporations and businesses that were unlawfully levied duties against during the February 2025 to February 2026 period, and thanks to the Supreme Court ruling, the government was ordered to pay back all these duties to over 300,000 affected businesses across the country. Our strategic partnership means we are able to assess your claim, consolidate your entries via an in-depth forensic audit to discover just how much the government owes you, file protective orders on your behalf, and even litigate your claim in front of the Court of International Trade should the government become recalcitrant about processing your IEEPA refunds. We offer the forensic audit at NO CHARGE as well as a 100% FREE initial consultation phone-call, and we work efficiently and ensure all your valid entries are presented as a complete dossier to CBP and relevant authorities, leaving you to focus on more pressing business matters. Need assistance with IEEPA refund rejections or processing? Call us NOW at (314) 481-63338 to speak with an experienced attorney and tax experts at no cost to you.
The Fentanyl Tariffs – A Convenient Excuse
Data from the US Customs and Border Protect tells a damning story that the administration tried to sweep under the rug. The reality of the matter is that CBP only seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border, which was simply only 0.2 percent of all fentanyl seizures the entire country. To give you a clear view of the situation, the majority of all fentanyl entering the country usually comes via the Mexican southern border, and not via Canada. The administration was aware of this, and California, Oregon and other states did so as well, and they decided to sue to block the tariffs, arguing that Canadian tariffs were especially egregious as they were targeting a country that wasn’t a significant source of fentanyl trafficking.
The Illogical Nature of the IEEPA Fentanyl Tariffs
In addition, these states argued that drug traffickers don’t pay tariffs, therefore imposing tariffs on imports that are actually legal in order to fight against drug trafficking makes no legal sense. Therefore, it stated, that these tariffs were not targeted at drug barons, and that they were targeted at legitimate businesses that had nothing to do with fentanyl, and that the revenue collected as a result had zero connection to drug enforcement, and was instead a cynical revenue grab meant to offset tax deficits as a result of the last summer’s failed taxation efforts.
As a result, the Supreme Court found the arguments of the states that filed the suit to be valid, and on February 2026, ruled that IEEPA doesn’t provide the President with authorization to impose tariffs whatsoever, and that the tariffs were unlawful. The fentanyl justification therefore was just one of a list of many overreach actions that the administration felt it was entitled to, but the law in the end prevailed.
Best IEEPA Refund Attorneys – Call Us Today! If you paid IEEPA tariffs and are looking to get started on the refund process but need someone to guide you, have no fear: McCready Law, together with Frost Law Arizona have consolidated their experience and expertise to ensure that your right to your refund is protected via the filing of timely protective protests. We also provide import corporations that qualify 100% FREE forensic audit of their entries so you have a clear and accurate picture of exactly how much the government owes you. Lastly, we process your claim and expedite it on your behalf, and litigate should the need arise at the Court of International Trade. Need more information? Give us a call NOW at (314) 481-63338 to learn more about your legal options for justice and compensation as they relate to IEEPA tariff refunds. Thanks for choosing us, an we look forward to helping you