Costco Customers Sue for Share of Tariff Refunds

Class action lawsuit seeks return of higher prices charged due to Trump-era import tariffs

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:13pm

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A group of Costco customers have filed a class action lawsuit in Illinois federal court seeking refunds for higher prices they paid due to import tariffs imposed by former President Trump. The lawsuit comes after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Trump overstepped his authority in using emergency powers to enact the tariffs. Costco is among over 2,000 companies suing to recover the duties paid under the invalidated tariffs.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles over the Trump administration's use of tariffs, which led to higher consumer prices at major retailers like Costco. The lawsuit seeks to ensure that any tariff refunds received by Costco are passed on to customers who bore those increased costs, rather than retained by the company.

The details

The lawsuit, filed by Costco shopper Matthew Stockov, seeks a declaration that Costco must return to customers any refunds it receives for tariffs paid under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Costco CEO Ron Vachris has stated the company plans to use tariff refunds to lower prices and improve value for shoppers, but the lawsuit argues this is only a "possible future benefit" rather than a firm commitment.

  • The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on February 20, 2026 that President Trump overstepped his authority in using the IEEPA to impose the tariffs.
  • The class action lawsuit was filed in Illinois federal court on March 11, 2026.

The players

Costco Wholesale

A major retail warehouse club chain that was impacted by the Trump administration's tariffs and is now facing a class action lawsuit from its customers seeking refunds.

Matthew Stockov

The Costco customer who filed the class action lawsuit in Illinois federal court seeking refunds for higher prices paid due to the Trump tariffs.

Ron Vachris

The CEO of Costco, who has stated the company plans to use any tariff refunds it receives to lower prices and improve value for shoppers.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. President whose use of emergency powers to impose tariffs was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, leading to the current litigation.

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What they’re saying

“This lawsuit seeks to prevent Costco, the third-largest retailer in the world, from double recovery. Costco has made no commitment to return any portion of anticipated tariff refunds to the consumers who bore those costs.”

— Matthew Stockov, Plaintiff (nclawyersweekly.com)

“If Costco does receive refunds, the retailer plans to channel them into lower prices and improved value for shoppers.”

— Ron Vachris, CEO, Costco Wholesale (nclawyersweekly.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will determine whether to certify the class action lawsuit and rule on Costco's obligation to refund customers for the higher prices charged due to the invalidated tariffs.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal fallout from the Trump administration's use of tariffs, which led to higher consumer prices at major retailers. The lawsuit seeks to ensure that any tariff refunds received by Costco are passed on to the customers who bore those increased costs, rather than retained by the company.