Supreme Court Strikes Down US Import Tariffs | MCT

On February 20, 2026, the United States Supreme Court issued a landmark 6-3 ruling finding that President Donald Trump violated federal law when he unilaterally imposed broad import duties on goods from countries across the globe. The decision strikes down the tariffs the administration imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) — a development that may significantly influence US container import and export volumes, freight planning, port throughput, and drayage operations across major gateways including the Port of Miami and Port Everglades.

For importers, exporters, freight forwarders, and logistics operators engaged in containerized trade, this is the most consequential trade policy development in over a year. The implications are still unfolding, and careful planning will be essential in the weeks and months ahead.

Understanding the Supreme Court Ruling

The case centered on the IEEPA — the International Emergency Economic Powers Act — a 1977 statute that grants the president emergency authority to regulate foreign transactions during periods of declared national crisis. The Trump administration used IEEPA to impose sweeping reciprocal import duties on goods from nearly every major US trading partner, as well as separate 25% duties on goods from Canada and Mexico.

Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the six-justice majority, held that IEEPA "does not authorize the President to impose tariffs." The ruling found that the administration had claimed powers the statute simply does not provide, noting that the president had asserted "extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, and scope" without clear congressional authorization. Three justices dissented, arguing the tariffs were permissible under the law.

Critically, this ruling does not eliminate all US tariffs. Duties imposed under separate legal authorities — including Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods and sector-specific tariffs on steel and aluminum — remain in effect. The IEEPA-specific tariffs, however, are now ruled unlawful.

Which IEEPA-Based Duties Are No Longer Enforceable

Based on current reporting, the following IEEPA-based duty rates have been struck down and are no longer enforceable:

• Mexico & Canada: 25% "Border" Tariffs — Removed

• UK, Germany, France: 10%–15% Reciprocal Caps — Removed

• Japan & South Korea: 15% Reciprocal Rates — Removed

• India & Brazil: 25%–50% Geopolitical Surcharges — Removed

Importers and freight operators should note that the administration has indicated it intends to pursue alternative legal pathways to maintain elements of its tariff framework. Businesses should not assume that all duty rates return immediately to pre-2025 levels. Section 301 duties on Chinese-origin goods remain in place, and the administration may seek to re-impose some IEEPA rates under alternative statutes such as Section 232.

Impact on US Container Import and Export Trade

The IEEPA tariffs had materially affected the cost and volume of containerized cargo moving through US ports over the past year. Elevated duty rates on goods from key trading partners — including major container exporters in Europe, Asia, and the Americas — contributed to shifts in cargo routing, sourcing decisions, and import volumes at ports across the country.

With those duties now ruled unlawful, the containerized trade environment may begin to shift in several ways:

Import Volume: Lower landed costs for goods from affected countries could, over time, support a recovery in containerized import volumes at major US gateways. Ports such as Miami and Port Everglades, which handle significant volumes of consumer goods, automotive parts, and perishables from Latin America, Europe, and Asia, may see planning adjustments among importers as the cost structure changes.

Export Demand: Countries that imposed retaliatory measures in response to US IEEPA tariffs may revisit those positions following the ruling, which could influence demand for US export container services and outbound freight planning.

Freight Forwarding and Booking Patterns: Importers who had adjusted sourcing patterns or reduced order volumes in response to elevated tariff costs may begin reassessing those decisions, potentially affecting container booking cycles and port throughput planning in the months ahead.

All of these effects are subject to the pace of implementation, any replacement tariff actions the administration pursues, and broader market conditions. Logistics operators should treat current projections as provisional and monitor developments closely.

Container Drayage and Port Operations: What to Watch

At the port operations level, any meaningful shift in import or export container volumes could influence drayage demand, chassis availability, terminal appointment scheduling, and inland freight movement. Port Everglades and the Port of Miami serve as critical gateways for containerized cargo across South Florida and beyond — and both have experienced fluctuating throughput patterns during the period of elevated tariff uncertainty.

If import volumes recover in response to lower landed costs, drayage operators and freight coordinators should anticipate potential increases in container pull activity, particularly for consumer goods and automotive parts categories most directly affected by the removed IEEPA duties. Planning lead times and carrier capacity may need adjustment accordingly.

Conversely, if the administration moves quickly to re-impose duties under alternative authorities, some of that volume recovery may be limited or delayed. The prudent approach for logistics operators is to build flexibility into near-term freight planning rather than locking in assumptions based on today's ruling alone.

Potential Refunds: What Container Importers Should Know

If your business has imported containerized goods since February 2025 and paid IEEPA-based duties, you may be entitled to a refund of those duties. While there is potential for refunds in the future, the administration is expected to contest the ruling, and has indicated it may seek to re-impose these rates using alternative statutes such as Section 232.

There is currently no guidance from US Customs on when and how refunds will be processed. As soon as official guidance becomes available, we will provide an update. The refund process is likely to move through the lower courts and may take considerable time to resolve. Businesses seeking to pursue refunds should consult qualified customs counsel for guidance specific to their import history and circumstances.

Strategic Planning Considerations for Freight and Logistics Operators

The period immediately following a ruling of this significance tends to be characterized by uncertainty — which itself has operational implications for container logistics planning. Here is how businesses engaged in US containerized trade may want to approach the coming weeks:

Monitor replacement tariff actions closely. The administration has signaled it will pursue alternative authorities to maintain some form of tariff coverage. The specific rates, product categories, and countries affected by any replacement measures may differ from the IEEPA framework, and changes could come with limited advance notice.

Reassess landed cost models. Importers who built elevated duty costs into their pricing and sourcing models should revisit those assumptions, while building in contingency for potential replacement duties.

Consult licensed customs brokers. Customs regulations and duty classifications are complex and change frequently. No logistics provider or tracking platform can substitute for advice from a licensed customs broker or trade attorney with current knowledge of applicable law.

Maintain flexibility in freight planning. Container booking lead times, carrier selection, and drayage scheduling decisions made today will play out over weeks and months. Building contingency into those plans is prudent given the pace at which the trade policy environment continues to evolve.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or customs advice. Tariff regulations, duty structures, and import requirements change frequently and vary by country, product, and applicable law. Miami Container Tracking strongly recommends that importers, exporters, and freight operators consult qualified legal counsel and licensed customs brokers for guidance specific to their circumstances. All information in this article reflects publicly available reporting as of February 20, 2026, and is subject to change.

Stay Informed on Container Shipping and Trade Changes

Trade policy is moving fast, and the downstream effects on container volumes, port operations, and drayage logistics will continue to develop in the weeks ahead. Staying ahead of those changes requires real-time visibility into your cargo — and a logistics partner who understands how regulatory shifts translate into operational decisions.

Miami Container Tracking provides container tracking and drayage coordination services for importers, exporters, and freight operators moving cargo through South Florida's major port gateways. Whether you need visibility on an inbound container, support coordinating drayage from Port Everglades or the Port of Miami, or simply want to stay informed on developments affecting your freight, our team is here to help.

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