Businesses that paid tariffs later struck down by the Supreme Court are encountering significant obstacles in their efforts to recover the money, according to industry experts and business owners navigating the refund process.

The Supreme Court invalidated most of the tariffs imposed during the Trump administration, opening the door for companies to seek refunds on duties they had already paid. However, the process of actually securing those refunds has proven more complex than many anticipated.

Richard Brown, a business owner affected by the tariffs, has been documenting his experience attempting to navigate the refund paperwork. His case illustrates the bureaucratic challenges facing companies seeking to recover tariff payments, which industry analysts say could prevent many businesses from ever seeing their money returned.

A Brooklyn general store specializing in Taiwanese imports was among the businesses significantly impacted by the original tariffs. While the prospect of a refund offers some relief, uncertainty about the recovery process continues to affect business planning and operations.

Experts in trade law warn that the combination of complex filing requirements, administrative delays, and resource constraints may result in billions of dollars in tariff payments remaining unclaimed. Small and medium-sized businesses, which often lack dedicated trade compliance staff, may be particularly vulnerable to missing out on potential refunds.

The situation highlights broader questions about the implementation and reversal of trade policies, as businesses continue to grapple with the long-term financial effects of tariffs that have since been ruled invalid.