Archive · 13 Aug 2026
US tariff refunds for overseas purchases reach buyers through shippers
When you buy something from another country, the government makes you pay extra money called a tariff.
Last year, a rule made people pay very high tariffs on almost everything brought into the United States.
The highest court in the country, called the Supreme Court, said that rule was not allowed.
So the government has to give the money back.
Shipping companies like FedEx, UPS, and DHL collected some of that money for their customers.
Now they are giving it back to the people who paid it.
The money goes straight to credit cards or bank accounts.
However, many people paid the extra cost inside the price of the item instead, so they may not get money back.
Altogether, about one hundred billion dollars in tariffs were returned.
Some shoppers are even suing stores to try to get their money back.
Shipping companies FedEx, UPS and DHL are forwarding tariff refunds to customers who paid import duties on overseas purchases.
The refunds follow the US Supreme Court striking down tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump in March 2025 under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
About $100 billion in tariffs have been refunded to companies under a system set up by US Customs and Border Protection.
FedEx has begun disbursing $800 million in refunds, while UPS applied for $500 million in its first phase and expects customers to receive refunds within one to three months.
Refunds are credited directly to credit cards or bank accounts, but major retailers that passed tariff costs on through higher prices will mostly use refunds for cost-cutting rather than pay consumers.
- Who
- US consumers and businesses that paid import tariffs on overseas purchases, along with shipping companies FedEx, UPS and DHL that acted as customs brokers.
- What
- Shipping companies are forwarding tariff refunds to customers after the US Supreme Court struck down tariffs imposed in March 2025 and ordered the US government to return the money collected.
- When
- Tariffs were imposed in March 2025; refunds are being processed in phases based on the date they were paid.
- Where
- United States
- Why
- The Supreme Court ruled the tariffs unlawful under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act and directed the US government to return the tariffs it collected.
Consumers seeking direct refunds
Companies limiting consumer payouts
Refund eligibility
Consumers seeking direct refunds
Customers who directly paid import duties on overseas purchases should receive refunds, and FedEx says no application is required, with tracking numbers checkable on its portal.
Companies limiting consumer payouts
Refunds will not fully offset the impact of the tariffs for most Americans because much of the cost was passed on indirectly through higher prices rather than paid directly by consumers.
Who repays consumers
Consumers seeking direct refunds
Shoppers have filed dozens of class-action lawsuits to recover tariffs they paid in the form of higher prices from companies.
Companies limiting consumer payouts
Major retailers passed on tariffs indirectly by changing product lineups or partly absorbing costs, so direct consumer refunds are unlikely and they will mostly use refunds for cost-cutting.
- Total tariffs refunded
- About $100 billion
- FedEx disbursement
- $800 million already being returned to customers
- UPS tariffs paid for clients
- $5 billion
- UPS first-phase refund request
- $500 million
- UPS refund timeline
- Within one to three months of receiving funds
- Average 2025 tariff cost per US household
- $1,000 (Tax Foundation)
- Legal basis struck down
- 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act
- Refund method
- Direct credit to credit cards or bank accounts