Rhode Island businesses are beginning to receive millions of dollars in tariff refunds, but some manufacturers are having trouble accessing the federal system needed to claim the money.
About $25 million in refunds has already gone to roughly 30 importers in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, according to data tracked by OIA Global Logistics International Inc., which has an office in Smithfield. The company reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has also paid about $1.3 million in interest.
For some of Rhode Island’s older manufacturers, however, accessing the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) portal has become a significant obstacle. Accounts may have been established years ago by employees who are no longer with the company, leaving current staff unsure which email address is associated with the account or unable to access it at all.
At Polaris MEP, Director of Manufacturing Services Matt Watson said the organization began working with U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse’s office to help manufacturers dealing with portal access and refund issues.
“We didn’t hear from a huge number [of manufacturers] that were having issues. That doesn’t mean it’s not happening.” — Matt Watson, Polaris MEP.
Watson said Polaris has worked with Whitehouse’s office to assist clients who have experienced “issues with the portal or are getting denied or otherwise running into hiccups.”
So far, Watson has not heard of any Polaris clients receiving tariff refunds, though he said the organization does not have a clear picture of how widespread the problems are among manufacturers.
The refunds stem from tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in February 2026 that the law did not give the president authority to impose those tariffs. The federal government is now responsible for processing billions of dollars in refunds, with interest.
The process has generally moved forward more smoothly for companies that already have the necessary ACE access. Customs brokerage officials report that smaller businesses they have assisted have received most of their money, while larger importers still have significant amounts outstanding.
For manufacturers still trying to navigate the system, though, getting access to ACE remains an important first step. CBP’s current refund process requires importers or their customs brokers to use the ACE system to submit claims. If your business has been having trouble with the system, please reach out to Polaris MEP.