FedEx Sues US Government For “Full Refund” of Trump Tariffs

FedEx has filed a lawsuit against the US government demanding a “full refund” of the emergency tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump that were struck down by the Supreme Court of the United States last week.

The shipping giant lodged its complaint at the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York, naming U.S. Customs and Border Protection, its commissioner Rodney Scott and the United States as defendants. In its filing, the company said: “Plaintiffs seek for themselves a full refund from Defendants of all IEEPA duties Plaintiffs have paid to the United States.”

FedEx did not disclose how much it is seeking. Last year, the company warned that US trade policies could dent its earnings by around $1bn, though not all of that was tied directly to the IEEPA tariffs.

Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on imports from most US trading partners last April using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). However, in a 6-3 decision last week the Supreme Court ruled that the law did not give him the power to introduce those levies in peacetime, saying Congress alone has authority to impose taxes. Estimates suggest that the Trump administration collected between $130bn and $175bn in additional revenue under the tariffs.

The ruling cleared the way for companies to try to recover the extra duties they have paid. However, the court did not spell out how refunds should be handled.

In a dissent, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote: “The court says nothing today about whether, and if so how, the government should go about returning the billions of dollars that it has collected from importers.” He added that “refunds of billions of dollars would have significant consequences for the US treasury”.

In a statement, FedEx said: “While the Supreme Court did not address the issue of refunds, FedEx has taken necessary action to protect the company’s rights as an importer of record to seek duty refunds from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.”

It added: “At this time, however, no refund process has been established by regulators or the courts. We will communicate any relevant information and updates in a timely manner, and we appreciate your patience as we wait for additional guidance and clarity from the U.S. government and the courts.”

FedEx appears to be the first major US company to sue for reimbursement since the ruling. Other businesses, including Costco, had already launched legal challenges before the court’s decision in an effort to secure their place in line for potential repayments.

The president responded to the ruling, saying that he would press ahead with new import duties under different laws. Within days, he announced a fresh 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, later saying that it would rise to 15%.

Meanwhile, 22 Senate Democrats have introduced legislation that would require the administration to refund tariff revenue with interest within 180 days, with priority given to small businesses.

The wider economic impact is still being debated. The non-profit Tax Foundation estimated the tariffs amounted to a $1,000 tax increase on US households in 2025, arguing that they raise prices and reduce economic output.

For now, businesses like FedEx are waiting for clarity on whether, and how, the billions collected will be returned.