The US tariff refund process, initiated after a Supreme Court ruling against former President Donald Trump's tariffs, is preparing to make its first payments on May 11. The total refunds amount to $166 billion, impacting approximately 330,000 importers and 53 million shipment entries. However, only about 21% of claims have been approved, with merely 3% reaching the payment stage. Many claims are being rejected due to technical glitches, data mismatches, and formatting errors, with around 15% facing such issues. The newly launched claims portal, managed by US Customs and Border Protection, has been overwhelmed by the volume of submissions, revealing the system's strain. Importers are urged to actively file claims, as the process is not automatic, and they can resubmit rejected claims without strict deadlines. Despite the challenges, 1.74 million entries have entered the refund stage, indicating some progress. However, the system prioritizes accuracy over speed, leading to longer wait times for many businesses. Judge Richard Eaton overseeing the case has raised concerns about the lack of automatic refunds, given the government already holds the necessary data. As businesses navigate this complex system, they must be prepared for potential delays in receiving their refunds.