FedEx Sues US Government for 'Full Refund' on Trump Tariffs

FedEx sued the U.S. government seeking a "full refund" of tariffs imposed under Trump's emergency powers, after the Supreme Court ruled last week the levies were unlawful.

FedEx has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government seeking a "full refund" of tariffs imposed under former President Donald Trump's emergency powers, marking the first major corporate challenge since the Supreme Court struck down the levies as unlawful last week. The lawsuit, filed Monday in the U.S. Court of International Trade, names Customs and Border Protection, its commissioner Rodney Scott, and the United States as defendants.

The company did not specify the amount it is seeking, though analysts estimate the now-invalidated tariffs raised as much as $175 billion for the U.S. government. FedEx previously warned that trade policies could cost it $1 billion in its 2026 fiscal year.

"Plaintiffs seek for themselves a full refund from Defendants of all IEEPA duties Plaintiffs have paid to the United States," FedEx stated in its complaint, referring to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act that Trump used to impose the tariffs. The company acts as an "importer of record," making customs payments to the government before passing costs to customers.

In a 6-3 ruling last Friday, the Supreme Court held that IEEPA does not authorize presidents to impose sweeping tariffs during peacetime, finding that tariff authority rests with Congress. The decision did not address whether businesses are entitled to refunds, setting up prolonged legal battles.

FedEx said it "has taken necessary action to protect the company's rights as an importer of record to seek duty refunds" following the ruling. Dozens of companies, including Costco and Revlon, filed similar suits before the Supreme Court decision, and many more are expected to follow.