Tariff Refund Opportunity for Wineries
Potential Tariff Refund for Wineries
The U.S. government has recently invalidated a group of 2025 import tariffs and opened a refund process for businesses that paid them. The refunds are managed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This change in policy creates a potential opportunity for wineries that imported certain goods directly during the affected period.
Who this may apply to
You may want to review this if your winery directly imported goods between February 4, 2025, and February 24, 2026. Examples include:
- Oak barrels from France or other countries
- Bottles, corks, or capsules sourced internationally
- Winemaking equipment or cellar hardware purchased from overseas suppliers
Who this likely does not apply to
If you purchased these items through a U.S. distributor, the importer of record would typically be the distributor. In that case, any refund would belong to them rather than your winery.
What to do next
If you believe you may qualify, your next step is to contact the customs broker who handled your import entries. Customs brokers are authorized to file refund claims and can help determine eligibility.
They will typically require:
- Access to your import entry records
- An active ACE Portal account - you can apply for one via this link.
- Current banking information for electronic refund processing
Timing
Once a claim is submitted and accepted, refunds are generally expected within 60 to 90 days.
More Information
Additional information is available from the U.S Customs and Border Protection website here.