Global logistics corporation FedEx has initiated legal proceedings seeking a “full refund” of tariffs imposed under the administration of former US President Donald Trump.
The tariffs, enacted last April on goods from numerous countries under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), were recently challenged in a US Supreme Court ruling. The court determined that the IEEPA did not authorize the president to levy such import taxes.
This ruling has opened a path for businesses to pursue reimbursement for the additional duties paid since their implementation.
According to the lawsuit, “Plaintiffs seek for themselves a full refund from Defendants of all IEEPA duties Plaintiffs have paid to the United States.”
FedEx has not specified the exact monetary value of the refund sought. The suit names US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), its commissioner Rodney Scott, and the United States as defendants.
In its filing with the US Court of International Trade, the company stated it was responsible for paying the tariffs and is seeking restitution.
In a statement released Monday evening, FedEx confirmed it “has taken necessary action to protect the company’s rights as an importer of record to seek duty refunds” from CBP following the Supreme Court’s decision.
The BBC has reached out to CBP for comment.
On Monday, a group of 22 US Senators, all affiliated with the Democratic party, introduced legislation mandating the Trump administration to fully reimburse all revenue collected from the tariffs, including interest, within a 180-day timeframe.
The proposed legislation directs CBP, the agency responsible for overseeing reimbursements, to prioritize small businesses.
Estimates suggest the Trump administration amassed at least an additional $130 billion (£97 billion) through tariffs imposed on the majority of goods imported into the US under the IEEPA.
While the court’s judgment clarified the IEEPA tariffs’ illegality, it did not provide explicit instructions regarding the return of funds to those who paid the taxes.
Following the ruling, both former President Trump and former Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated the issue of refunds could face protracted legal challenges.
In the weeks preceding Friday’s ruling, numerous companies, including cosmetics firm Revlon, aluminum manufacturer Alcoa, and food importers such as Bumble Bee, initiated lawsuits contesting the tariffs, aiming to secure their place in line for potential refunds.
Costco was also among the businesses that proactively sued the Trump administration last year, asserting in its lawsuit: “The text of IEEPA does not use the word ‘tariff’ or any term of equivalent meaning.”
On Friday, Trump enacted a proclamation utilizing an alternative legal provision, Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, imposing a new 10% temporary tariff on goods from all countries. On Saturday, he announced plans to increase these new tariffs to 15%.
A major snowstorm walloped the US north-east, causing disruptions for millions and thousands of flight cancellations.
BBC Verify assesses claims by the Trump administration that crime and murder in the US are at their lowest levels for 125 years.
US victims have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to a gang of UK and Irish nationals, known as The Travelling Conmen.
It has almost a month since 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie disappeared in the middle of night from her home in Arizona.
Millions of Epstein-related documents released by the US justice department include the names of the world’s rich and powerful.