{"id":8637,"date":"2026-10-21T11:48:07","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T09:48:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leyton.com\/us\/?post_type=article&p=8637"},"modified":"2026-10-21T11:48:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T09:48:09","slug":"ieepa-refunds-cape-phase-3-and-the-freestyle-world-class-action","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/leyton.com\/us\/insights\/articles\/ieepa-refunds-cape-phase-3-and-the-freestyle-world-class-action\/","title":{"rendered":"IEEPA Refunds: CAPE Phase 3 and the Freestyle World Class Action\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Status as of October 16, 2026. This is not legal advice. Confirm deadlines with trade counsel.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where Things Stand<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On October 8, 2026, Judge Richard Eaton of the Court of International Trade (CIT) certified a nationwide importer class in Freestyle World, Inc. v. United States<\/em> (Court No. 26-01088, slip op. 26-123). The class covers all importers of record who paid duties under the Challenged Tariff Orders between February 1, 2025, and February 19, 2026. Importers who have separately sued to recover IEEPA duties are excluded. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Membership is mandatory. Under Rule 23(b)(2) there is no opt-in or opt-out. Filing your own suit is effectively the only way to leave the class. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certification is not a refund order. The class must still obtain a class-wide injunction directing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to liquidate or reliquidate entries without the IEEPA duties. Judge Eaton said he is certifying the class \u201cin the hope, and expectation\u201d that this leads to refunds, but he has not yet ordered them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upcoming Litigation Milestones<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n