Are leading corporations queuing up for tariff reimbursements?

Surge in Tariff Refund Lawsuits Following Supreme Court Decision

Large corporations seeking reimbursement for tariffs are now facing a lengthy wait, as the number of legal claims has soared.

Since the Supreme Court invalidated several of former President Donald Trump’s tariffs, there has been a dramatic increase in lawsuits from U.S. businesses demanding refunds. Over 2,000 cases have already been filed, and the total continues to climb.

The Supreme Court’s decision did not resolve the question of refunds, leaving that responsibility to the U.S. Court of International Trade.

Currently, more than $140 billion in tariff collections remains unsettled. The Trump administration has sent mixed messages about whether refunds will be processed swiftly or delayed through further legal battles. Efforts to establish a new legal framework for collecting tariffs are also underway, but these are expected to face additional court scrutiny.

In recent days, companies such as FedEx and Dollar General Corp have filed lawsuits to recover import taxes they previously paid.

FedEx explained that it initiated legal action to defend its rights as an importer and to seek reimbursement for duties paid. The company also stated that, should it prevail, it plans to return the refunded amounts to its customers and shipping partners who bore the tariff costs.

Other businesses, including eyewear leader EssilorLuxottica SA—the maker of Ray-Ban—had already taken legal steps months earlier.

While the U.S. government has processed tariff refunds in the past, the current scale is unprecedented. In 1998, a Supreme Court-mandated refund program returned funds to thousands of companies, including many not directly involved in the original litigation.