US shippers refund $100 billion after Supreme Court strikes down Trump tariffs

The Story in Brief

Shipping companies FedEx, UPS and DHL have started refunding import duties they collected on overseas purchases after the US Supreme Court struck down sweeping tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump in March 2025. The court ruled the tariffs, levied under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, were illegal. Customs brokers began receiving repayments from US authorities and are passing them on to affected customers.

FedEx has disbursed $800 million in refunds, and UPS applied for $500 million in the first phase of refunds to clients. About $100 billion in tariffs have been refunded so far, reports the Associated Press. Refunds go directly to credit cards or bank accounts based on the original payment method. However, most consumers who absorbed higher retail prices will not see direct refunds because retailers passed on costs indirectly. More than 80 class-action lawsuits have been filed against retailers including Costco, Nike and Amazon.