🚨 CBP Ends Overlapping Tariffs: What Executive Order 14289 Means for Importers
📌 What’s New?
On May 16, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced a major shift in tariff policy. In response to Executive Order 14289, originally signed by former President Donald Trump, CBP has officially ended the practice of “stacking” overlapping tariffs on certain imported goods.
💡 “Stacking” refers to applying multiple tariffs on the same product — often leading to inflated costs for businesses and consumers.
🔍 What Tariffs Are Affected?
Here’s a quick breakdown of the tariffs impacted by this change:
| 🧾 Tariff Type | 📦 What It Applied To | 🌍 Countries Involved |
|---|---|---|
| IEEPA Tariffs | General imports | 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇲🇽 Mexico |
| Section 232 – Autos | Automobiles & automotive parts | Global |
| Section 232 – Metals | Steel & aluminum | Global |
With the removal of stacking, importers will no longer face multiple tariffs on a single item if they fall under more than one of these categories. This could mean significant cost savings and simplified compliance for many businesses.
🛠️ Why This Matters
✅ Lower Costs for Importers
✅ Reduced Complexity in Customs Declarations
✅ Improved Trade Efficiency with Canada and Mexico
✅ Potential Downstream Benefits for Consumers
This move aligns with broader efforts to streamline U.S. trade policy and reduce redundant or excessive barriers in the import process.
💬 Final Thoughts
If your business is involved in importing vehicles, automotive components, steel, aluminum, or goods from Canada or Mexico, this policy shift could affect your bottom line — in a good way.
Stay tuned for further updates as CBP continues to adjust its enforcement practices around evolving executive orders and trade policies.
💵 Refunds Available: How Importers Can Claim Overpaid Tariffs
Along with the policy change, CBP’s Notice includes an important opportunity for importers:
📅 Starting May 16, 2025, businesses can request refunds for tariffs that were previously “stacked” in violation of Executive Order 14289.
This means if your company paid overlapping tariffs that should not have been combined, you may be eligible for a refund — but you need to act depending on the status of your entry filings.
📝 How to Request a Refund
There are two main options, depending on whether your entry has been finalized (liquidated) or not:
| 💼 Entry Status | 📋 What to File | 📌 Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Unliquidated Entries | File a Post Summary Correction (PSC) | CBP post-entry process |
| Liquidated Entries | File a Protest under 19 U.S.C. § 1514 | If protest period is open |
⚠️ Note: You can only file a protest if the entry has been liquidated and the protest window (usually 180 days) has not yet expired.
✅ What This Means for You
If your business has paid duplicate or overlapping tariffs under the affected categories — especially if you’ve imported automobiles, steel, aluminum, or goods from Canada and Mexico — now is the time to review your records.
You could be leaving real money on the table if you don’t take action.
