US Customs to Stop Collecting Trump-Era Tariffs Deemed Illegal by Supreme Court !
Prime Vista News
US Customs will stop collecting tariffs imposed under Trump’s emergency powers from February 24 after the Supreme Court ruled the measures illegal.
Duties imposed under emergency powers law to be halted from February 24 following landmark ruling
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that it will stop collecting a range of tariffs imposed during former President Donald Trump’s second term after the US Supreme Court ruled that the measures were unlawful. The change will take effect at 12:01 am Eastern Time on Tuesday, February 24, marking a significant shift in US trade enforcement following the court’s decision.
The ruling, delivered on Friday, found that the Trump administration’s use of emergency powers to impose so-called “reciprocal” tariffs exceeded the authority granted under federal law. Despite the verdict, importers continued to pay duties over the weekend as CBP systems had not yet been updated to reflect the court’s judgment.
CBP Confirms End to Tariff Collection
In a formal statement published on govdelivery.com, CBP confirmed that tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) would no longer be collected on goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from bonded warehouses on or after February 24.
“Duties imposed pursuant to IEEPA under the following presidential actions, including all modifications and amendments, will no longer be in effect and will no longer be collected,” the statement said, outlining the precise implementation timeline.
The announcement provides clarity to importers who had been uncertain about compliance obligations in the immediate aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling.
Why Duties Continued After the Court Ruling
Although the Supreme Court invalidated the tariffs on Friday, CBP continued to collect duties temporarily because its Cargo System Management Service (CSMS) had not yet been updated. As a result, shipments entering the US over the weekend were still subject to charges imposed under the now-invalid executive orders.
Trade and logistics experts said such delays are not uncommon following major legal rulings, as operational systems must be formally amended before enforcement practices change.
CBP’s latest directive now formally ends that interim period.
Wide Range of Tariffs to Be Scrapped
The CBP notice indicates that multiple categories of tariffs imposed on US trading partners will cease to apply. These include duties targeting countries over border security concerns, drug trafficking, energy trade, and trade deficits.
The decision also suggests that tariffs levied on countries such as India, including those linked to purchases of Russian oil, will no longer be collected once the halt takes effect.
Executive Orders Affected
CBP listed several presidential orders under which duties will no longer be in force from Tuesday, including:
- Executive Order 14193 – Duties addressing illicit drug flows across the northern border
- Executive Order 14194 – Duties related to conditions at the southern border
- Executive Order 14195 – Measures targeting the synthetic opioid supply chain linked to China
- Executive Order 14245 – Tariffs on countries importing Venezuelan oil
- Executive Order 14257 – “Reciprocal” tariffs aimed at correcting persistent US trade deficits
- Executive Order 14323 – Duties related to actions by the government of Brazil
- Executive Order 14329 – Tariffs addressing perceived threats from the Russian Federation
All of these measures were enacted under emergency powers granted by IEEPA and are now invalid following the court’s ruling.
Earlier Report : Canada Study Permits for Indian Students Drop Nearly 50% Since 2024: IRCC Data
Supreme Court Strikes Down Emergency Powers Use
In a 6–3 decision, the US Supreme Court ruled that President Trump’s use of emergency economic authority to impose the tariffs was not legally justified. The court held that the administration failed to demonstrate a qualifying national emergency that would allow such sweeping trade measures under IEEPA.
Notably, two of the three justices appointed by Trump joined the majority opinion, underscoring the bipartisan legal concerns surrounding the tariffs. The ruling represents the first major second-term Trump policy to be struck down by the Supreme Court.
Legal analysts described the judgment as a significant reassertion of congressional authority over trade and tariff policy.
Trump Responds With Fresh Tariff Threat
Following the Supreme Court ruling, Trump announced plans to introduce a 10 per cent global tariff, signalling his intent to continue pursuing an aggressive trade agenda. However, no executive order or formal policy framework has yet been issued to give effect to the proposed measure.
Without a legal mechanism or congressional backing, analysts say any new tariff proposal could face immediate legal scrutiny.
Implications for Global Trade and Importers
The CBP decision is expected to bring immediate relief to US importers who had faced higher costs and uncertainty due to the tariffs. It also has broader implications for global trade partners, particularly countries that had been targeted under emergency-based trade actions.
Trade experts note that the ruling could limit the future use of emergency statutes for economic policy, reinforcing the role of Congress in authorising trade restrictions.
As of Tuesday, goods entering the United States will no longer be subject to duties imposed under the invalidated orders a move likely to reshape ongoing trade negotiations and enforcement practices.
