A recent court decision could bring relief to parts of the skateboarding industry, including skateboard woodshops, distributors, and the shops that sell skate gear.
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A federal judge has cleared the way for businesses that paid certain tariffs to receive refunds after the US Supreme Court struck down the duties last month.
The US Court of International Trade ordered Customs and Border Protection to start issuing refunds for levies that former President Donald Trump introduced under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA.
Judge Richard Eaton stated that all importers whose shipments were subject to these tariffs are entitled to the refunds.
While skateboard woodshops themselves may not be direct recipients, they could see indirect benefits.
Importers of decks, trucks, wheels, and other gear may pass along savings, making materials cheaper for woodshops and reducing costs for distributors. Retail skate shops might also see relief if distributors lower prices for inventory.
The payment process is still unclear, but the ruling marks a setback for the Trump administration, which had been seeking to replace the tariffs.
The case that led to the ruling was brought by a filtration company in Tennessee, Atmus Filtration, though Judge Eaton will hear all cases about these refunds going forward.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US is likely to implement a 15 percent global tariff this week, up from 10 percent, following conflicting statements from Trump about the new rate. The goal is to replace the IEEPA tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court.
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The tariffs collected under IEEPA brought in an estimated $130 billion. Several companies, including FedEx, have filed lawsuits seeking refunds.
Small-business coalitions like We Pay the Tariffs have been advocating for fast and automatic repayment, calling the court decision a victory for businesses that paid the duties.
For the skateboarding industry, this could affect operations. Woodshops that rely on imported decks, wheels, or trucks may benefit if importers lower costs. Distributors that handle large shipments of gear could adjust prices, which might help retail shops and even individual skaters in the long run.
Questions remain about how US import tax policies will develop going forward. Last April, Trump introduced "Liberation Day" tariffs on dozens of countries, starting at 10 percent and climbing to 50 percent in some cases. These duties led to trade negotiations with other countries, who pushed for lower rates in exchange for investment or other agreements.
The Supreme Court struck down these tariffs last month, including some that applied to goods from Mexico, Canada, and China. While skate shops, woodshops, and distributors are not receiving refunds directly, the decision could help the skateboarding supply chain manage costs and continue operations without the burden of the IEEPA duties.