US tariff refund process running ‘smoother’ than expected, Switzerland’s K+N says

The online process to reclaim U.S. tariff payments deemed illegal by the Supreme Court is running "smoother" than anticipated, a U.S. customs expert at freight forwarder Kuehne und Nagel said.

Companies had expressed concerns about the durability of the system, which was launched last month after the U.S.' top court shot down broad tariffs imposed by the Trump administration last year. The ruling has enabled importers to seek up to $166 billion in rebates.

• K+N supports customers with formatting the required information in data spreadsheets, uploading to the U.S. customs' online portal and monitoring developments. It also provides consulting services for customers navigating the process.

• "It's been very positive, almost surprisingly positive," Greg Tompsett, senior vice president of K+N's U.S. customs unit, told Reuters. "We've had good functionality and ability to submit it on behalf of our customers."

• A spokesperson for K+N said thousands of its customers had already submitted filings for refunds, accounting for the vast majority of the Swiss company's U.S.-importing customers.

• Tompsett added that clients have also raised concerns on the possibility of exposing themselves to additional scrutiny on filings submitted last year.

• "There was a great deal of changes taking place last year at an unprecedented pace," he said, adding there had to be "confidence in the accuracy of everything you filed."

• The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency on Monday estimated that the first ‌electronic refunds will start as soon ​as May 12.