FedEx Seeks Refund Over Invalidated Trump Tariffs
Global logistics firm FedEx has filed a lawsuit seeking a full refund of import duties paid under emergency tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, following a recent ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States that found the levies unlawful.
In a filing at the US Court of International Trade, FedEx said it was entitled to recover all tariffs paid under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which Trump used last April to raise duties on imports from most countries. The Supreme Court ruled last week that the law did not grant the president authority to impose such tariffs, opening the door for companies to pursue refunds.
“Plaintiffs seek for themselves a full refund from Defendants of all IEEPA duties Plaintiffs have paid to the United States,” FedEx stated in its lawsuit. The company did not disclose the amount it is seeking to recover.
FedEx named the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the agency’s commissioner as defendants, arguing that it bore responsibility for paying the duties as the importer of record.
In a statement, the company said it had taken “necessary action to protect the company’s rights” to seek refunds following the Supreme Court’s decision. Customs and Border Protection has been approached for comment.
The legal move comes as lawmakers also weigh in on the fallout from the ruling. On Monday, 22 Democratic US senators introduced legislation that would require the administration to refund all revenue collected from the tariffs, with interest, within 180 days. The proposal would also require refund payments to prioritise small businesses.
Estimates suggest the tariffs generated at least $130bn in additional revenue for the federal government. However, while the Supreme Court struck down the legal basis for the duties, it did not outline a process for returning the funds.
Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have both said the issue of refunds could take years to resolve through the courts. In anticipation of the ruling, hundreds of companies – including Revlon, Alcoa and food importers – had already filed lawsuits challenging the tariffs.
Despite the setback, Trump last week signed a new proclamation under a different trade law imposing a temporary 10% tariff on imports from all countries, later saying the rate would be raised to 15%.
