FedEx just sued Trump’s government for every dollar it paid in tariffs, and the amount they’re owed is staggering

FedEx has officially sued the U.S. government for a full refund of tariffs it paid under President Trump‘s emergency order. The lawsuit follows a Supreme Court ruling that struck down the president’s authority to impose such duties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

According to Fox Business, the shipping giant filed its lawsuit against the government and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the Court of International Trade. FedEx is seeking a complete refund of all duties paid under the IEEPA, along with interest, and compensation for costs it incurred trying to expedite shipments through customs.

“Plaintiffs seek for themselves a full refund from Defendants of all IEEPA duties Plaintiffs have paid to the United States,” FedEx stated in its lawsuit. The company said supporting customers through regulatory changes remains a top priority, and that it took action to protect its rights as an importer of record after the Supreme Court ruled the IEEPA tariffs were unlawful.

FedEx’s legal challenge could trigger a wave of similar lawsuits from major U.S. importers

While the lawsuit does not reveal the exact amount FedEx paid in tariffs, the figure is significant. In September, the company had projected a $1 billion hit to its fiscal-year earnings from various U.S. trade policies, a portion of which included IEEPA duties. FedEx is a company that regularly makes headlines, from major legal battles to stories of a FedEx delivery that turned into a moral dilemma.

The Supreme Court delivered a 6-3 ruling on Friday in the case of Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump. The Court determined that President Trump did not have the authority under the IEEPA to impose these tariffs, and confirmed that the Court of International Trade holds exclusive jurisdiction over them.

President Trump first invoked the IEEPA in February 2025, imposing duties on imports from China, Canada, and Mexico, citing national security concerns and what he called unfair trade practices. In April, he expanded these measures into reciprocal tariffs targeting 57 countries. In total, U.S. businesses and consumers paid more than $175 billion in duties under these policies.

FedEx is represented by Washington, D.C.-based law firm Crowell & Moring, which also represents Costco and Revlon in their own IEEPA tariff refund cases. Those cases were filed even before the Supreme Court’s ruling, suggesting a cascade of similar lawsuits could follow now that the legal precedent has been set. While the company fights this legal battle, its delivery staff continue to make news for other reasons, like this story of a FedEx driver saving Christmas deliveries.

Currently, no clear refund process has been established by regulators or the courts. FedEx acknowledged this on its website, stating, “At this time, however, no refund process has been established by regulators or the courts.” The company said it will communicate updates in a timely manner and asked for patience as the industry waits for guidance from the U.S. government and the courts.