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IN the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court striking down most of President Donald Trump’s global tariffs, more than 100 companies have launched lawsuits in an effort to recover billions already paid, highlighting widespread uncertainty over whether the administration will promptly reimburse importers.
Bloomberg reported on Saturday that major public companies including FedEx, Dyson, Dollar General, Bausch & Lomb, Brooks Brothers, and Sol de Janeiro USA have joined the legal push.
Subsidiaries of L’Oreal SA and footwear firms On Holding AG and Skechers USA have also filed suits to recoup tariffs collected on imports over the past 10 months, which exceed US$170 billion.
The Supreme Court ruling did not address whether refunds would be issued, leaving the matter to the US Court of International Trade in New York.
The Justice Department is due to outline the next steps in the original litigation on 6 March, a decision likely to influence the pace at which the government resolves mounting claims.
Trump has suggested his administration may resist or slow the refund process. ]
Following the 20 February ruling, he remarked, “I guess it has to get litigated,” noting the matter could take years to resolve.
FedEx said in a statement that it “has taken necessary action to protect the company’s rights as an importer of record to seek duty refunds” and pledged to pass any recovered funds to shippers and consumers.
Representatives of the other companies and spokespeople for the Justice Department and White House have not responded to requests for comment.
While smaller businesses have historically dominated tariff refund cases, the involvement of large publicly listed companies is likely to accelerate filings.
Trade lawyers note that smaller firms often lack the resources to challenge tariffs independently, but seeing major firms engage legal counsel creates confidence and mitigates fears of political retaliation.
“This is not money that in any way you can count on in any short-term period,” said Nate Herman, executive vice president at the American Apparel & Footwear Association, reflecting widespread expectations of a prolonged process.
The US Court of International Trade has temporarily paused cases pending the Supreme Court decision, though lawyers are urging the reopening of proceedings to pursue refunds swiftly. Past assurances by the Justice Department indicated importers could receive repayment with interest if successful, and that concessions would be made regarding the court’s authority to order refunds.
Legal experts warn that the tariff refund battle could spark related disputes, including class actions between consumers and companies.
A New York man has already filed a proposed class action against EssilorLuxottica SA, claiming overpayment on Ray-Ban sunglasses due to tariff-driven price increases.
Consumers themselves cannot claim refunds directly from customs, even if companies raised prices to offset the levies.
Democratic lawmakers have called for direct reimbursement checks to households.
The wave of lawsuits has pushed the total number of tariff-related cases beyond 2,000, representing only a fraction of importers affected, and underscoring the magnitude of the legal and financial challenges facing the US trade system in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling. - February 28, 2026
