A lawsuit has been filed against Costco Wholesale. The proposed nationwide class action seeks refunds for customers who paid higher prices due to import tariffs before a Supreme Court ruling.

The complaint was filed in an Illinois federal court by a shopper. It requests a court declaration that the company must return to customers any tariff refunds it receives. These refunds would be for duties paid under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

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The Supreme Court ruled on February 20 that President Donald Trump overstepped his authority by using the emergency powers law to impose sweeping tariffs last year. Following that decision, extensive litigation has been initiated at the U.S. Court of International Trade. Costco is among more than 2,000 companies suing to recover paid duties.

A similar consumer class action has been filed against global shipper FedEx in a Florida federal court.

The lawsuit against Costco aims to prevent the retailer from keeping both tariff refunds and the higher prices previously paid by consumers. The complaint alleges the company has not committed to returning any anticipated refunds to those customers.

Costco’s chief executive recently told analysts it remains uncertain if or when businesses will receive refunds for the tariffs. The executive stated that if refunds are received, the company plans to use them to lower prices and improve value for shoppers.

The legal filing contends that this plan offers only a potential future benefit to an unspecified group of future customers.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform