FedEx, UPS, DHL to pass tariff refunds to customers

TL;DR

Shipping Refunds Start: FedEx, UPS, and DHL are filing claims through the US Customs refund portal for tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court.[[1]](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-fedex-ups-dhl-plan-to-refund-customers-for-tariffs-2026-4)
Phase One Limit: First refunds cover only imports finalized since January 30, 2026, with funds expected in 60 to 90 days.[[1]](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-fedex-ups-dhl-plan-to-refund-customers-for-tariffs-2026-4)
Automatic Pass-Through: Companies will automatically refund most customers who paid the IEEPA tariffs, but not administrative fees.[[1]](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-fedex-ups-dhl-plan-to-refund-customers-for-tariffs-2026-4)

The story at a glance

FedEx, UPS, and DHL are pursuing tariff refunds via a new US Customs and Border Protection portal opened this week and plan to pass the money to customers who paid those fees on international shipments. This follows a Supreme Court ruling invalidating certain Trump-era "reciprocal" tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The story is timely because the portal launched Monday, starting the refund process for affected importers and consumers.

Key points

Supreme Court struck down IEEPA "reciprocal" tariffs; Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum remain in effect and ineligible for refunds.[[1]](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-fedex-ups-dhl-plan-to-refund-customers-for-tariffs-2026-4)
US Customs first phase limits refunds to imports finalized on or after January 30, 2026; no timeline given for earlier entries.[[1]](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-fedex-ups-dhl-plan-to-refund-customers-for-tariffs-2026-4)
Companies file claims as customs brokers or importers of record, then refund shippers and consumers who originally paid the tariffs.[[1]](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-fedex-ups-dhl-plan-to-refund-customers-for-tariffs-2026-4)
Most customers get automatic refunds via established processes and need not contact the companies.[[1]](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-fedex-ups-dhl-plan-to-refund-customers-for-tariffs-2026-4)
Importers of record who paid fees directly must file their own claims through the portal.[[1]](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-fedex-ups-dhl-plan-to-refund-customers-for-tariffs-2026-4)
Administrative, brokerage, and other non-tariff fees are not being refunded, though lawsuits seek some of those charges.[[1]](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-fedex-ups-dhl-plan-to-refund-customers-for-tariffs-2026-4)

Details and context

E-commerce customers faced surprise fees last year on overseas packages due to ended de minimis exemptions for low-value imports plus new tariffs; shipping firms often paid duties upfront and collected from recipients at delivery.[[1]](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-fedex-ups-dhl-plan-to-refund-customers-for-tariffs-2026-4) Now firms are reversing that for invalidated IEEPA tariffs, listed separately on bills. Funds release takes 60 to 90 days after claims, with carriers then processing customer refunds.

Tariff types appear as distinct line items, so only IEEPA ones qualify. UPS explicitly excludes its administrative and brokerage fees as valid at the time; FedEx and DHL statements do not address them, but pending suits target such charges.

Key quotes

"Our intent is straightforward: if refunds are issued to FedEx, we will issue refunds for IEEPA tariffs paid to the shippers and consumers who originally bore those charges." — FedEx, in a statement on its website.[[1]](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-fedex-ups-dhl-plan-to-refund-customers-for-tariffs-2026-4)

Why it matters

Overturned tariffs affected billions in imports, potentially returning significant funds to businesses and consumers who absorbed costs on international goods. E-commerce shoppers and small importers stand to recover fees paid on recent shipments, though only specific tariffs qualify and timelines stretch months. Watch for phase two details on pre-January 30 imports and outcomes of lawsuits over extra fees, as carriers receive refunds.

What changed

Tariffs were in full effect, with shipping firms collecting IEEPA duties from customers on international packages. Supreme Court invalidated those specific tariffs, triggering the US Customs refund portal and carriers' commitment to pass refunds. Portal opened Monday before April 21, 2026, starting claims for post-January 30, 2026 imports.[[1]](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-fedex-ups-dhl-plan-to-refund-customers-for-tariffs-2026-4)

FAQ

Q: Which tariffs qualify for refunds through FedEx, UPS, and DHL?

A: Only "reciprocal" tariffs imposed under IEEPA and struck down by the Supreme Court qualify. Section 232 tariffs on aluminum and steel do not, as they remain in effect. Tariffs appear as separate line items on bills.

Q: Who gets automatic refunds from the shipping companies?

A: Customers whose packages had the company as importer of record or customs broker get automatic refunds once carriers receive funds from US Customs. Most do not need to contact the firms.

Q: What must customers who were importers of record do?

A: They must file claims themselves through the US Customs refund portal. Companies handle claims only where they acted as importer or broker.

Q: When will customers see their tariff refunds?

A: US Customs expects to release funds 60 to 90 days after claims; carriers then issue refunds to customers. First phase covers only imports since January 30, 2026.