FedEx Files Lawsuit Against US Govt Over Trump-Era Emergency Tariffs

Global logistics giant has FedEx filed a lawsuit in the US Court of International Trade, seeking a refund for tariffs imposed under former President Donald Trump’s emergency measures. The case marks one of the highest-profile attempts to recover funds since the US Supreme Court last week declared the tariffs illegal.

 

Trade attorneys expect a surge of lawsuits as companies attempt to reclaim billions, though the recovery process will be determined by a lower court, adding complexity. More than $175 billion in US tariff collections could be subject to refunds after the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Trump had exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a sanctions law, to impose tariffs on imported goods.

 

In its complaint, FedEx stated that it “seeks a full refund from the Defendants of all IEEPA duties” it has paid. The company and its logistics arm acted as the importer of record for goods subject to the tariffs but did not disclose the exact sum sought.

 

FedEx named US Customs and Border Protection, its commissioner Rodney Scott, and the United States of America as defendants. Neither CBP nor the White House responded immediately to requests for comment. Washington, D.C.-based law firm Crowell & Moring is representing FedEx and referred Reuters to the company, which declined to comment.

 

Crowell & Moring also represents other firms seeking IEEPA tariff refunds, including retailer Costco, cosmetics company Revlon, and eyewear group EssilorLuxottica.

 

Importers, distributors, and suppliers are thought to be best positioned to secure refunds, as their paperwork often includes customs documents or invoices detailing tariff costs for specific goods, said Ron Ciotti, a partner at Boston-based law firm Hinckley Allen. He noted that companies with contracts containing tariff escalation or price adjustment clauses may have a stronger claim.

 

California Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential Democratic presidential contender in 2028, has also called for refund checks for Americans affected by the tariffs.

 

Ciotti added, however, that many businesses and consumers may struggle to prove the impact of tariffs on prices, limiting their ability to recover funds.

 

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