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

Consumers seek refunds after Supreme Court ruled Trump tariffs were imposed without legal authority

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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At least two retail customers have filed proposed class-action lawsuits against companies that have sued in trade court to ensure they receive refunds from tariffs now deemed illegal by the U.S. Supreme Court. The lawsuits against delivery company FedEx and eyewear maker EssilorLuxottica, which owns the Ray-Ban brand, aim to ensure consumers get a share of any tariff refunds the businesses receive.

Why it matters

The consumer lawsuits highlight the broader impact of the Supreme Court's ruling that President Trump imposed tariffs without legal authority. While major corporations have filed suits to recoup tariff costs, these class actions seek to ensure individual retail customers also receive refunds they paid on imported goods.

The details

The federal court lawsuits were brought by Matthew Reiser of Miami against FedEx and Nathan Ward of New York against EssilorLuxottica. Reiser says he paid $36 in tariffs and fees on tennis shoes shipped via FedEx, while Ward purchased Ray-Ban sunglasses that were priced higher due to tariff surcharges. The companies have not yet responded to requests for comment.

  • On February 20, the Supreme Court invalidated tariffs implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, worth an estimated $130 billion to $175 billion.
  • The refund process is expected to be worked out in the coming days or months as lawsuits and claims move through government systems.

The players

Matthew Reiser

A Miami resident who filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against FedEx over tariffs he paid on tennis shoes.

Nathan Ward

A New York resident who filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against EssilorLuxottica, the maker of Ray-Ban sunglasses, over tariff surcharges he paid.

FedEx

A delivery company that has been sued by a customer seeking a refund of tariffs the customer paid.

EssilorLuxottica

A French eyewear company that owns the Ray-Ban brand and has been sued by a customer seeking a refund of tariff surcharges.

Barry Appleton

The co-director of the Center for International Law at New York Law School, who expects many more consumer lawsuits to surface against companies that collected tariff-related charges.

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What they’re saying

“What we are watching is the predictable next chapter of the IEEPA story. The Supreme Court told the White House it overreached, the major importers lined up for refunds, and now ordinary consumers are asking the obvious question — if those duties were illegal, why shouldn't we get our money back too?”

— Barry Appleton, Co-director of the Center for International Law at New York Law School

What’s next

The 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

These consumer lawsuits highlight the broader impact of the Supreme Court's ruling that President Trump imposed tariffs without legal authority. While major corporations have filed suits to recoup tariff costs, these class actions seek to ensure individual retail customers also receive refunds they paid on imported goods.