The end of IEEPA tariffs: what importers must do now

Christopher Matt
Christopher Matt
Managing director, Head of the classification and export controls unit, MA-TAX Consulting GmbH, Germany
Published 01 Mar 2026
The end of IEEPA tariffs: what importers must do now
Image by Oleg Gapeenko from Vecteezy
Case law
Trade policy

The US Supreme Court’s 20 February 2026 ruling limits presidential emergency powers, confirming that IEEPA cannot be used to impose tariffs. For companies, this creates potentially billions in refund claims and requires urgent attention to the new temporary Section 122 tariffs, which carry strict limits and a 150-day sunset. Meanwhile, broader trade enforcement under Sections 232, 301, and 338 remains in force, keeping compliance and strategic planning critical. The article also examines practical steps for protecting refund claims, navigating Section 122 exemptions, and assessing the impact on ongoing US import strategies.

Related content

The new U.S. Executive Order on strengthening customs enforcement: two questions that matter

The new U.S. Executive Order on strengthening customs enforcement: two questions that matter

Ira Reese
Ira Reese
28 Jun 2026

The U.S. is entering a new era of customs enforcement. But while Executive Order strengthening customs enforcement sets an ambitious agenda, can CBP realistically deliver it after decades of declining…

Trade policy
Country update
Understanding the EU-Mercosur Agreement: a practical guide for businesses

Understanding the EU-Mercosur Agreement: a practical guide for businesses

Marc Bauer
Marc Bauer
02 Jun 2026

The EU-Mercosur Agreement opens new opportunities for businesses trading between the EU and South America. However, benefiting from preferential tariffs requires more than simply knowing that an agreement exists. Companies…

Origin
Trade policy
Topic spotlight
Unlocking global trade insights: an introduction to the WTO’s data portals

Unlocking global trade insights: an introduction to the WTO’s data portals

Sabine van Osenbrüggen
Sabine van Osenbrüggen
03 Dec 2025

This article provides an overview of the most prominent WTO data portals, explaining their key features and demonstrating their practical applications. Whether you are a trade professional searching for tariff…

Trade policy
Explainer
Tariffs - pros and cons

Tariffs - pros and cons

09 Jun 2025

Discussions around US tariffs have made many people think again about the reasons and motivations behind countries imposing tariffs. Throughout history, there have been many examples of strict protectionism and…

Trade policy
Topic spotlight
China’s countermeasures in response to US tariff escalations

China’s countermeasures in response to US tariff escalations

Zhiwei Chen
Zhiwei Chen
22 May 2025

The United States' imposition of new tariffs has been a key talking point in professional, political and academic circles for some time. Countries are reacting to the new US trade…

Trade policy
Country update
The developments of mega-free trade agreements

The developments of mega-free trade agreements

Hans-Michael Wolffgang
Hans-Michael Wolffgang
01 Oct 2023

The development of free trade areas around the world, with most attention paid to the Asia-Pacific region and the Americas, is a major theme of the article. It also raises…

Trade policy
Perspective