Indian exporters across sectors such as tyres, tractors and apparel are scrambling to figure out how they can recover the Trump administration's hiked tariffs on shipments to the US after its top court struck them down as illegal, paving the way for potentially significant refunds.

However, uncertainty over eligibility, timelines and a fresh federal appeal has left them awaiting clarity on the quantum and status of refunds, if at all they come. While companies, including Ceat, Balkrishna Industries, CNH India and Gokaldas Exports, have expressed hope of recovering some of the duties paid, executives and trade lawyers said the refund process remains complex, with key details yet to be clarified by the US even as Trump administration mounts a legal challenge.

At stake is the massively hiked customs duty paid by Indian companies between April 2025 and February 2026, when the revised tariffs of 10% were imposed. They are now eligible to claim the difference between the earlier tariff rates of around 3-15% and the reciprocal tariffs of 50%. Even as several businesses have started getting their refunds, the Trump administration announced on Friday that it plans to challenge the refund order, bringing fresh uncertainty to the repayment process.