Flemish Firms Recover Millions from US Customs Amid Trade War
Hundreds of Flemish companies have already received refunds on import duties from US Customs and Border Protection, according to business organization VOKA, which is urging more firms to file claims. The recoveries follow a landmark US Supreme Court ruling that declared a significant portion of President Trump’s import tariffs illegal, opening the door for companies to reclaim billions in overpaid duties.
The Supreme Court Ruling and Its Aftermath
On February 20, 2026, the US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that President Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping import tariffs exceeded his executive authority. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that tariff imposition is a power of Congress, not the president, invalidating a large portion of the tariffs collected since “Liberation Day” in April 2025.
The ruling triggered a massive refund process. The US government must return approximately $149-166 billion in illegally collected import duties. To manage this, US Customs and Border Protection launched the CAPE portal (Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries) in April 2026, allowing over 330,000 registered importers to file claims through a streamlined administrative process rather than costly litigation.
VOKA: Nearly 1 Billion Euros at Stake for Flanders
“We see that Flemish companies are not letting that opportunity pass,” said Frank Beckx of VOKA. “Hundreds of Flemish companies have already received a refund from US Customs.”
According to VOKA, the total potential for Flanders could reach nearly 1 billion euros in overpaid import duties. “The exact amount is difficult to calculate because companies must demonstrate which duties they paid and which products exactly qualify,” Beckx explained.
VOKA emphasizes that the process is administrative rather than judicial. “The procedure is complex, but it’s worth the effort. Moreover, it’s not a lawsuit. Companies can apply for a refund through an administrative procedure with US Customs,” Beckx said.
Brouwerij Huyghe: A Case Study in Recovery
One company that has already successfully recovered funds is Brouwerij Huyghe from Melle, known for producing Delirium Tremens beer. The brewery exported 35 containers of beer to the United States last year, paying approximately 600,000 euros in import duties—of which 350,000 euros has already been refunded.
“After the US Supreme Court annulled the decision, we immediately started the procedure to reclaim our money,” said CEO Alain De Laet. “We thought we would have to conduct heavy court procedures, but that turned out not to be the case. US Customs quickly started an official procedure where you can reclaim your money through documentation.”
De Laet’s advice to other exporters is straightforward: “There is an official procedure and you don’t need to incur heavy legal costs. My advice is simple: just do it.”
The brewery, which operates its own US subsidiary near Washington D.C. established in 2018, plans to reinvest the recovered funds. “Last year, our American subsidiary suffered a small loss for the first time,” De Laet said. “The money we’re now recovering will be reinvested in marketing and further expansion of our activities in the US.”
The Refund Process in Numbers
The refund system has been processing claims since May 2026, with more than $35 billion already paid out or scheduled for payment. Interest on refunds is accumulating at an estimated $650 million per month. Major corporations like General Motors expect to receive about $500 million in refunds.
However, the process has not been without complications. In June 2026, the Department of Justice appealed a court order requiring recalculation of all collected tariffs, temporarily blocking some refunds. President Trump himself called the refund order “enormously disappointing,” saying it makes him “really angry” in a Fortune interview.
New Tariffs Create Continued Uncertainty
Despite the refunds, the trade war is far from over. Trump has since imposed new import duties on 60 trading partners under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, effective July 24, 2026, citing forced labor concerns. For the EU, the new rate is effectively 10 percent, filling the gap where normal MFN rates are lower.
The constantly shifting trade policy creates significant uncertainty for exporters. “That’s why it’s important that companies also develop other markets,” Beckx said. “We must not put all our eggs in one basket.”
Brouwerij Huyghe is feeling the impact of ongoing tensions. “Beer consumption in the United States has been declining for several years,” De Laet noted. “At the same time, we had to implement price increases due to the import duties. That’s not an easy combination.”
What’s Next
For Flemish companies that have not yet filed refund claims, VOKA’s message is clear: the window is open, and the process is accessible. With nearly 1 billion euros potentially recoverable across Flanders, the financial stakes are substantial.
As De Laet put it: “I sometimes hear companies say they’re afraid of kicking the US government in the shins by filing such a request. That’s completely unnecessary.”