Tariffs, Oil Prices & Your Small Business: What You Need to Know Right Now

⚠ Time-Sensitive: Act Before the Deadline

If your business imported goods and paid IEEPA-based tariffs, you may be owed a refund — but the 180-day protest window is a hard legal deadline. The CBP refund portal is expected to launch around April 20, 2026. Don’t wait. Talk to your customs broker now.

You may be owed a tariff refund — but the clock is ticking

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that IEEPA-based tariffs were unlawfully imposed. If your business was the importer of record and paid those duties, you have a legitimate legal basis for recovery. However, the 180-day protest window under 19 USC 1514 is a hard statutory deadline — if you miss it, you likely forfeit your right to a refund entirely. The CBP is expected to launch an online refund system around April 20, 2026. Update your CBP importer record (Form 5106) and create an ACE Portal account now — setup can take 3–4 weeks. Contact your customs broker immediately if you have significant tariff exposure.

Oil prices could spike — and your operating costs with them

Dr. Evans walked through how a potential disruption in global oil supply could ripple directly into fuel costs, freight rates, and operating expenses for Central California businesses. For Kern County businesses — many of which depend on agriculture, transportation, and energy — rising oil prices aren’t just a pump problem. They affect every input cost in your supply chain. Now is the time to review your fuel exposure, lock in contracts where possible, and build a buffer into your pricing strategy.

Central California financing trends — the numbers may surprise you

Kelly Bearden shared how local small business financing activity compares to national trends — and the gap is notable. Central California businesses have shown resilience in seeking capital even as national sentiment has softened. Understanding where your region stands helps you make smarter decisions about when and how to pursue funding. The SBDC’s Capital Access Center advisors can help you read these signals and position your business accordingly.

Rising inflation + rising unemployment = a challenging environment

Dr. Evans addressed the uncomfortable reality that 2026 is presenting both rising inflation and rising unemployment simultaneously — a combination that squeezes small businesses from both sides. Costs go up while customers pull back. The businesses that will weather this best are those that act proactively: tighten cash flow management, revisit pricing, reduce non-essential expenses, and stay close to their advisors. This is not the time to wait and see.

Get free one-on-one help navigating today’s economy

Whether you’re dealing with tariff exposure, rising costs, or cash flow pressure, the CSUB SBDC’s advisors are here to help — at no cost. We serve small business owners throughout Kern, Inyo, and Mono Counties with confidential, one-on-one advising tailored to your situation.

Kelly Bearden — CSUB SBDC Director

Kelly Bearden leads the CSU Bakersfield Small Business Development Center, serving small business owners throughout Kern, Inyo, and Mono Counties. The SBDC provides free one-on-one advising and helped local businesses access nearly $9.9 million in capital investment in 2024.