• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Former U.S. Secret Service agent says bringing your authentic self to work stifles teamwork: 'You don’t get high performers, you get sloppiness'

2

Former VP Kamala Harris says she went through a nine-hour interview to land the job—but she couldn’t escape ‘gold medal depression’ even when she won

3

NBC’s Tom Llamas climbed from 15-year-old intern to the top anchor chair—and still isn’t satisfied: ‘If you're not growing, you're dying'

1

Former U.S. Secret Service agent says bringing your authentic self to work stifles teamwork: 'You don’t get high performers, you get sloppiness'

2

Former VP Kamala Harris says she went through a nine-hour interview to land the job—but she couldn’t escape ‘gold medal depression’ even when she won

3

NBC’s Tom Llamas climbed from 15-year-old intern to the top anchor chair—and still isn’t satisfied: ‘If you're not growing, you're dying'
LawFedEx

FedEx is the first major company to sue for a full tariff refund after Supreme Court leaves payback open-ended

By
Jacqueline Munis
Jacqueline Munis
News Fellow
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Jacqueline Munis
Jacqueline Munis
News Fellow
Down Arrow Button Icon
February 24, 2026, 11:58 AM ET
A FedEx employee pushes a dolly with several boxes on it down a street
FedEx is the first major company to sue the Trump administration since Friday’s ruling. David Paul Morris—Bloomberg via Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Friday’s Supreme Court ruling striking down President Donald Trump’s tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) notably left out one question: Would importers receive a refund for the potentially billions of dollars they paid in illegal tariffs? One company is demanding an answer.

Recommended Video

FedEx is suing the Trump administration for a full tariff refund, making it the first major company to sue for a payout since the decision.

“Plaintiffs have paid IEEPA duties to the United States and thus have suffered injury caused by those orders. The relief Plaintiffs seek from this Court would redress those injuries,” the company wrote in the complaint filed on Monday in the U.S. Court of International Trade.

The White House didn’t immediately respond to Fortune’s request for comment.

Last May, the company estimated operating profits would take a $1 billion hit during the current fiscal year, which ends May 31. The company is asking for a “full refund” with “interest as provided by law.” It is also asking for the government to cover attorneys’ fees and other costs for bringing the action, as well as “further relief as this Court deems proper.”  

The lawsuit was expected as the Court of International Trade ruled in December companies must file a suit in order to seek reliquidation and a refund. Many more cases are expected, as more than $175 billion in revenue collected under the IEEPA tariffs is at stake, according to Penn-Wharton Budget Model economists. 

Tariffs have weighed heavily on U.S. businesses and consumers. A New York Fed study found U.S. consumers and companies have paid 90% of President Donald Trump’s import taxes, despite his claims other countries are shouldering the burden.

FedEx shares took a 20% hit in the immediate aftermath of Liberation Day, when Trump announced sweeping tariffs under IEEPA. The company’s most profitable trade route between the U.S. and China “deteriorated sharply” after the announcement, chief customer officer Brie Carere said in a June earnings call. Shares recovered from the initial shock, rising more than 50% from April. 

“Supporting our customers as they navigate regulatory changes remains our priority,” FedEx spokesperson Isabel Rollison said in a statement to Fortune. “FedEx has taken necessary action to protect the company’s rights as an importer of record to seek duty refunds from U.S. Customs and Border Protection following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that the tariffs issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are unlawful.”

Refunds are possible, administration officials say 

Trump administration officials indicated in the past refunds would come, if tariffs were struck down by the Supreme Court. After companies such as Costco, Reebok, and Xerox preemptively sued the administration for tariff refunds last year, the Justice Department acknowledged the government would issue refunds to the plaintiffs if the tariffs were deemed unlawful as part of officials’ argument for why the plaintiffs should not receive emergency relief.

In recent days, the administration has said it will look to lower courts for guidance on refunds. Speaking to Fox News Sunday over the weekend, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said: “[The courts] created the situation, and we’ll follow whatever they say to do.” 

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also indicated refunds would be likely if the Supreme Court ruled against the administration/struck down tariffs. 

“I’m not going to get out ahead of the court,” he told CNN on Sunday. “We will follow the court’s direction. But as I said, that could be weeks or months away. That decision was not rendered on Friday.”

The Fortune 500 Innovation Forum will convene Fortune 500 executives, U.S. policy officials, top founders, and thought leaders to help define what’s next for the American economy, Nov. 16-17 in Detroit. Apply here.
About the Author
By Jacqueline MunisNews Fellow
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Law

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Law

The Supreme Court reinstates murder conviction for NYC boy Etan Patz, one of the first missing kids on a milk carton
LawSupreme Court
The Supreme Court reinstates murder conviction for NYC boy Etan Patz, one of the first missing kids on a milk carton
By The Associated Press and Mark ShermanJune 22, 2026
3 hours ago
quartz
Healthhome renovations
Your quartz countertop is the new asbestos — for the workers who cut it
By David Michaels, Robert Harrison and The ConversationJune 21, 2026
1 day ago
Trump tries to explain why Reflecting Pool is algae green and its blue lining is peeling. Police arrest a former Olympic canoe racer on a bike ride
North AmericaDonald Trump
Trump tries to explain why Reflecting Pool is algae green and its blue lining is peeling. Police arrest a former Olympic canoe racer on a bike ride
By The Associated PressJune 20, 2026
2 days ago
A $5.6 billion valuation and rapid global expansion—this AI European scaler even threw in a free Jude Law 
EuropeLetter from London
A $5.6 billion valuation and rapid global expansion—this AI European scaler even threw in a free Jude Law 
By Kamal AhmedJune 18, 2026
4 days ago
Needles used to detect breast cancer in shortage from recall
Healthbreast cancer
Needles used to detect breast cancer in shortage from recall
By Annika Inampudi, Anna Edney and BloombergJune 17, 2026
5 days ago
doj
LawRace
Trump’s DOJ asks judge to halt first reparations program in U.S. history
By Safiyah Riddle and The Associated PressJune 17, 2026
5 days ago

Most Popular

Former U.S. Secret Service agent says bringing your authentic self to work stifles teamwork: 'You don’t get high performers, you get sloppiness'
Success
Former U.S. Secret Service agent says bringing your authentic self to work stifles teamwork: 'You don’t get high performers, you get sloppiness'
By Sydney LakeJune 21, 2026
1 day ago
Former VP Kamala Harris says she went through a nine-hour interview to land the job—but she couldn’t escape ‘gold medal depression’ even when she won
Success
Former VP Kamala Harris says she went through a nine-hour interview to land the job—but she couldn’t escape ‘gold medal depression’ even when she won
By Emma BurleighJune 21, 2026
1 day ago
NBC’s Tom Llamas climbed from 15-year-old intern to the top anchor chair—and still isn’t satisfied: ‘If you're not growing, you're dying'
Success
NBC’s Tom Llamas climbed from 15-year-old intern to the top anchor chair—and still isn’t satisfied: ‘If you're not growing, you're dying'
By Preston ForeJune 21, 2026
1 day ago
'I literally was crying last night because I’m nervous about what I’m going to find out': a record 51% of Americans aren't 'cost secure' on health
Health
'I literally was crying last night because I’m nervous about what I’m going to find out': a record 51% of Americans aren't 'cost secure' on health
By Ali Swenson, Amelia Thomson-Deveaux and The Associated PressJune 20, 2026
2 days ago
Tenzin Seldon: The GLP-1 boom is the biggest climate story no one is pricing in
Commentary
Tenzin Seldon: The GLP-1 boom is the biggest climate story no one is pricing in
By Tenzin SeldonJune 21, 2026
1 day ago
Ezekiel Emanuel: My father lived into his 90s. He understood something many successful men miss
Commentary
Ezekiel Emanuel: My father lived into his 90s. He understood something many successful men miss
By Ezekiel J. EmanuelJune 21, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.