FedEx Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Tariff Refunds After Supreme Court Ruling

FedEx is facing a proposed class action lawsuit in federal court in Miami after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump unlawfully imposed billions of dollars in emergency tariffs on imported goods. The lawsuit seeks refunds for potentially millions of customers who paid import duties and related brokerage fees that plaintiffs argue should never have been charged.

The legal action follows a February 20 Supreme Court decision in a 6-3 ruling that found Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The Court determined that the emergency powers law did not authorize the sweeping tariffs imposed on a wide range of imported products. As a result, thousands of companies and individual consumers are now pursuing tariff refunds.

The Miami lawsuit was filed on behalf of Matthew Reiser, who claims FedEx charged him $36 in import-related fees for a pair of tennis shoes purchased from a German retailer. According to the complaint, $21 of that amount was attributed to IEEPA duties, while $15 covered brokerage and customs clearance services. The lawsuit argues that the shipment should have entered the United States duty-free.

FedEx stated that if it receives refunds from the federal government for tariffs paid, it will reimburse shippers and consumers who originally covered those charges. However, the complaint contends that FedEx’s commitment is not legally binding and seeks to ensure customers receive compensation.

FedEx is also among more than 2,000 companies pursuing tariff recovery claims in the U.S. Court of International Trade. Major corporations including Hasbro, L’Oreal, Dyson, Bausch + Lomb, Costco, and J. Crew have filed similar lawsuits seeking repayment of tariffs collected under the IEEPA.

As litigation continues, the outcome could significantly impact importers, retailers, and consumers seeking tariff refunds linked to the Supreme Court’s ruling on emergency trade powers.