Philippine exporters are not counting on receiving refunds for tariffs paid to the United States, even after a US Supreme Court ruling declared the levies unlawful and a refund mechanism was established.
Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., president of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., said in an interview that there is widespread uncertainty among members about whether the refunds will apply to Philippine shipments.
“I can’t understand it because the US is saying that we had agreed to the 19-percent tariff. That was based on a negotiation; we signed it. So, whatever the Supreme Court said, that is the rate that they can charge us,” Ortiz-Luis said in Filipino.
The refunds stem from a February 6-3 US Supreme Court decision that struck down tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) for lacking congressional approval. The US government has since set up a refund process through the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries system.
An estimated $166 billion in tariffs could be refunded globally, according to The New York Times, with payments expected to begin around May 11.
While Philippine exporters initially welcomed the ruling, enthusiasm has waned following fresh US tariff actions, including a 15-percent levy imposed by President Donald Trump. The tariff treatment for key Philippine exports—such as semiconductors, electronics, and agricultural products—remains unclear.
On April 24, the Department of Trade and Industry’s Export Marketing Bureau advised exporters to “coordinate closely with their US importers” to determine eligibility and agree on how any refunds would be shared. Only the US importer of record or an authorized customs broker may apply for the refund.
For the first quarter of 2026, Philippine exports reached $22.7 billion, up 12.7 percent year-on-year.