A class-action lawsuit has been filed against FedEx in federal court, representing customers who want their money back following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that declared former President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs illegal.
The legal action, filed Friday in Miami federal court, represents potentially millions of customers who paid import duties and associated fees on items that attorneys argue should have entered the country without any tariffs.
In response to the lawsuit, FedEx released a statement Friday saying: “If refunds are issued to FedEx, we will issue refunds to the shippers and consumers who originally bore those charges.”
However, the lawsuit argues that FedEx’s commitment cannot be legally enforced. Attorney John Yanchunis, representing Miami resident Matthew Reiser, stated: “Our goal is to return to American consumers every penny they were improperly charged.”
The shipping giant joins over 2,000 other companies already pursuing legal action against the federal government in the U.S. Court of International Trade to reclaim tariffs paid under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA. The Supreme Court determined on February 20 in a 6-3 ruling that Trump exceeded his legal authority when he used emergency powers legislation to implement widespread tariffs.
The lead plaintiff, Reiser, claims FedEx charged him $36 for tennis shoes he ordered from Germany – including $21 in IEEPA duties and $15 in brokerage and processing fees. According to the lawsuit, no duty payment should have been necessary.
Toy manufacturer Hasbro also joined the growing list of companies Friday seeking tariff refunds from the government through the U.S. Court of International Trade. Other major companies pursuing similar legal action include French cosmetics company L’Oreal, British appliance maker Dyson, contact lens producer Bausch + Lomb, and retailers like Costco and J. Crew.
