At least two retail customers have initiated proposed class-action lawsuits in United States federal courts, demanding a portion of tariff-related refunds from corporations that previously sued to recover these costs. The legal actions specifically target delivery behemoth FedEx and French eyewear manufacturer EssilorLuxottica, the producer of Ray-Ban sunglasses, with the objective of ensuring consumers receive benefits from any reimbursements obtained by these businesses.
Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Legal Battles
These lawsuits emerge in the wake of a pivotal U.S. Supreme Court decision on February 20, which declared tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump as invalid, ruling they were implemented without proper legal authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The tariffs in question are estimated to be valued between $130 billion and $175 billion, affecting a wide range of imported goods.
Over 1,000 companies, including prominent names such as Revlon and Costco, had previously filed protective lawsuits in the U.S. Court of International Trade to secure their rights to reimbursement. A formal refund process, to be administered either by the U.S. Court of International Trade or U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is anticipated to be established in the coming days or months as numerous claims advance through governmental systems.
FedEx Faces Consumer Lawsuit Over Tariff Pledge
FedEx issued a statement on Thursday asserting that it would return any tariff refunds it might receive to shippers and customers who had originally paid them. However, a complaint filed against FedEx on Friday by Matthew Reiser of Miami challenges this pledge, arguing it "creates no legally enforceable obligation and is expressly contingent on future government and court guidance that may never materialize."
Reiser alleges he paid $36 in tariffs and customs brokerage and duty advancement fees for tennis shoes shipped via FedEx by Tennis Warehouse Europe, an online retailer based in Schutterwald, Germany. FedEx has not provided an immediate response to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.
EssilorLuxottica Sued Over Ray-Ban Surcharges
In a separate proposed class action filed this week, Nathan Ward of New York claims he purchased Ray-Ban sunglasses from ray-ban.com in August 2025 at prices higher than historical levels, reflecting a tariff surcharge. The complaint states, "Despite seeking an order entitling it to a refund of the duties collected as a result of the subject tariffs, EssilorLuxottica continues to collect and has not refunded the tariff surcharges it collected from consumers."
EssilorLuxottica has also not responded to inquiries for comment on the legal action. The lawsuits highlight growing consumer frustration over perceived inequities in tariff refund distributions.
Legal Experts Predict More Consumer Lawsuits
Barry Appleton, co-director of the Center for International Law at New York Law School, anticipates a surge in similar consumer lawsuits, particularly targeting companies that issued itemized invoices or receipts detailing tariff charges. He notes that while the legal viability of these cases remains uncertain, they exert significant pressure on businesses to share any tax refunds they secure.
"What we are watching is the predictable next chapter of the IEEPA story," Appleton remarked. "The Supreme Court told the White House it overreached, the major importers lined up for refunds, and now ordinary consumers are asking the obvious question — if those duties were illegal, why shouldn’t we get our money back too?"
The unfolding legal drama underscores broader issues of consumer rights and corporate accountability in the aftermath of tariff disputes, with potential implications for retail pricing and international trade practices moving forward.
