Portland Coffee Roasters Seek $370,000 Tariff Refunds but Uncertainty Looms – CoffeeTalk

The impact of the Trump regime’s tariffs on coffee roasters, importers and others, has been significant, leading to financial losses and calls for refunds. Portland Coffee Roasters reported paying $370,000 in tariffs in 2025, straining their finances. Co-owner Mark Stell is hopeful, as businesses can now submit claims through a newly established refund portal after a federal judge ruled the tariffs illegal. However, uncertainty looms over the refund process, especially with Trump’s opposition to the Supreme Court ruling.

Many local businesses, facing losses ranging from $10,000 to hundreds of thousands due to the tariffs, are racing to submit their claims while grappling with bureaucratic hurdles. For example, Hood River Distillers’ CFO, Erica Mitchell, expressed frustration over being ineligible for refunds on imported supplies that her company did not directly purchase, fearing they might never see the money.

There have been reports of difficulties with navigating the refund portal, causing additional stress for small business owners. Senate and House Democrats in Oregon, including U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, are pushing for legislation to expedite refunds, recognizing that the current processes disproportionately burden smaller companies.

Some business owners, like Stacee Wion of SpielWerk Toys, are opting out of submitting claims due to complex logistics, estimating her losses at $20,000 to $30,000. Similarly, Mike Roach of Paloma Clothing faced a difficult year and increased prices to offset the tariffs, expressing anger at the delayed court ruling which he believes exacerbated financial struggles for many businesses. Overall, small businesses continue to seek resolution and recover from the effects of the tariffs, now exacerbated by the uncertainties surrounding the refund process.

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