President Donald Trump has encouraged companies not to seek tariff refunds, even as major shipping companies UPS and FedEx have already begun filing for some refund claims.

The timing of Trump's comments comes as businesses across various industries evaluate their options for recovering tariff payments made during previous trade disputes. Companies typically file for tariff refunds when they believe duties were incorrectly applied or when trade policies change.

UPS and FedEx, two of the nation's largest shipping companies, have started the process of filing for certain tariff refunds, though the specific amounts and tariff categories involved were not disclosed. Both companies handle significant volumes of international shipments and would have been exposed to various tariff regimes implemented in recent years.

The shipping industry has faced particular challenges from trade policies, as tariffs on goods can affect shipping volumes and costs. Companies in the logistics sector often seek refunds when they can demonstrate that tariffs were applied incorrectly or when exemptions become available.

Trump's encouragement for companies to avoid seeking refunds suggests a preference for maintaining tariff revenue, though companies retain the legal right to pursue legitimate refund claims through established government processes.