Retail Customers Sue FedEx, Ray-Ban Maker Over Tariff Refunds

Lawsuits seek to ensure consumers get a share of any tariff refunds the companies receive.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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At least two retail customers have filed proposed class-action lawsuits in U.S. courts against FedEx and EssilorLuxottica, the maker of Ray-Ban sunglasses, seeking to ensure they get a share of any tariff refunds the companies receive. The lawsuits come after the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated tariffs implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, worth an estimated $130 billion to $175 billion.

Why it matters

The lawsuits highlight the broader impact of the Supreme Court's ruling on tariffs, as consumers seek to recoup money they paid in tariff surcharges. The cases put pressure on companies to share any tax refunds they manage to secure with their customers.

The details

The federal court lawsuits were brought by Matthew Reiser of Miami against FedEx and Nathan Ward of New York against EssilorLuxottica. Reiser claims he paid $36 in tariffs and fees on tennis shoes shipped via FedEx, while Ward says he purchased Ray-Ban sunglasses that were priced higher due to a tariff surcharge. The lawsuits seek to ensure consumers get a share of any refunds the companies receive.

  • On February 20, the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated tariffs implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
  • The lawsuits were filed in late February 2026.

The players

FedEx

A delivery company that was sued by a customer seeking a share of any tariff refunds the company receives.

EssilorLuxottica

The French eyewear company that makes Ray-Ban sunglasses and was sued by a customer seeking a share of any tariff refunds the company receives.

Matthew Reiser

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

Nathan Ward

A New York resident who filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against EssilorLuxottica seeking a refund of tariff surcharges he paid on Ray-Ban sunglasses.

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

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 against FedEx and EssilorLuxottica highlight the broader impact of the Supreme Court's ruling on tariffs, as ordinary customers seek to recoup money they paid in tariff surcharges. These cases put pressure on companies to share any tax refunds they receive with their customers.