A U.S. trade court has directed Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to start processing refunds for tariffs that were previously imposed under emergency powers but later deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court. This ruling has the potential to unlock billions of dollars in reimbursements for importers.

However, industry experts speaking at the recent TPM conference in Long Beach cautioned that this legal triumph might be just the initial phase of a protracted struggle. The core of the upcoming battle will revolve around the specifics of how and when companies will receive their refunded money.

Baker Tilly global trade...