The company submitted its complaint on Monday at the U.S. Court of International Trade. FedEx asked the court to order the federal government and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to return all duties paid under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The lawsuit also seeks interest and compensation for related financial harm.
The legal action follows a major ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States. In a 6–3 decision issued Friday, the court determined that President Donald Trump lacked authority under IEEPA to impose sweeping tariffs. The justices concluded that the statute did not grant the president power to levy broad import duties.
FedEx argued in its filing that it incurred substantial costs while complying with the tariff regime. As an importer of record, the company paid duties directly to the government. Therefore, it contends it deserves a full refund of all IEEPA-related payments.
Although the lawsuit does not specify the total amount sought, FedEx previously warned investors about significant financial exposure. In September, the company estimated that U.S. trade policies could reduce fiscal-year earnings by roughly $1 billion. Only part of that impact stemmed from the contested emergency tariffs.
Moreover, FedEx stated that regulators have not yet established a formal refund process. The company emphasized that it acted to protect its legal rights following the Supreme Court’s decision. At the same time, it acknowledged that further guidance from federal agencies and courts remains pending.
The complaint names U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney S. Scott as a defendant alongside the federal government. Washington-based law firm Crowell & Moring represents FedEx in the case. The firm also represents other major corporations pursuing similar refund claims.
Trump invoked IEEPA in February 2025 to impose tariffs on imports from China, Canada, and Mexico. Later, he expanded the measures to include reciprocal tariffs targeting dozens of additional countries. Businesses and consumers ultimately paid more than $175 billion in duties under the emergency framework.
However, the Supreme Court’s ruling in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump reshaped the legal landscape. The decision confirmed that IEEPA does not authorize the president to implement such tariffs. As a result, companies like FedEx now seek to recover billions potentially subject to refund claims.
