Retail Customers File Lawsuits Over Tariffs Against FedEx and Ray-Ban Maker

Consumers seek share of refunds as companies sue to recoup costs from import taxes ruled illegal by Supreme Court.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

At least two retail customers have filed proposed class-action lawsuits in U.S. courts against delivery company FedEx and French eyewear maker EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of Ray-Ban, seeking to ensure consumers get a share of any refunds the businesses receive for tariffs the Supreme Court ruled were imposed illegally by President Trump.

Why it matters

The lawsuits highlight the broader effort by companies and consumers to recoup the costs of tariffs that were ruled unconstitutional, with more such consumer lawsuits expected as businesses seek refunds they collected from customers.

The details

The federal court lawsuits were brought by customers who paid tariff-related fees, including a $36 charge on tennis shoes shipped via FedEx and a tariff surcharge on Ray-Ban sunglasses purchased online. The complaints state the companies' pledges to return tariff refunds to customers are not legally enforceable.

  • On Feb. 20, the Supreme Court invalidated tariffs implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, worth an estimated $130 billion to $175 billion.
  • In August 2025, the customer purchased Ray-Ban sunglasses that were priced higher due to a tariff surcharge.

The players

FedEx

A delivery company that is a defendant in one of the proposed class-action lawsuits.

EssilorLuxottica

The French eyewear company that owns the Ray-Ban brand and is a defendant in one of the proposed class-action lawsuits.

Matthew Reiser

A Miami resident who filed a lawsuit against FedEx after paying $36 in tariffs and fees on tennis shoes shipped via FedEx.

Nathan Ward

A New York resident who filed a lawsuit against EssilorLuxottica after purchasing Ray-Ban sunglasses with a tariff surcharge.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“creates no legally enforceable obligation and is expressly contingent on future government and court guidance that may never materialize.”

— Matthew Reiser (Lawsuit filing)

“Despite seeking an order entitling it to a refund of the duties collected as a result of the subject tariffs, EssilorLuxottica continues to collect and has not refunded the tariff surcharges it collected from consumers.”

— Nathan Ward (Lawsuit filing)

What’s next

A refund process either through the U.S. Court of International Trade or the U.S. Customs and Border Protection is set to be worked out in coming days or months as a bevy of lawsuits and claims work their way through government systems.

The takeaway

The consumer lawsuits highlight the broader effort by both companies and individuals to recoup the costs of tariffs that were ruled unconstitutional, with more such suits expected as businesses seek refunds they collected from customers.