Some consumers who purchased items from overseas vendors last year may be eligible for tariff refunds. Shippers like FedEx and UPS, which acted as customs brokers for imported packages, have started passing on tariff refunds to customers who originally paid the tariffs.
Refund Process
The refund process began after the Supreme Court struck down sweeping tariffs implemented by President Donald Trump in March 2025. The court ordered the government to return the tariffs it collected, and about $100 billion in tariffs have been refunded to companies so far.
However, it’s unlikely that Americans will get back the full amount they paid in tariffs, as most were paid indirectly. In 2025, the Trump tariffs resulted in an average tax increase of $1,000 per U.S. household, according to the Tax Foundation.
FedEx has begun issuing $800 million in tariff refunds to customers, while UPS has applied for $500 million in refunds and will start returning them to customers once it receives reimbursement from the Treasury. DHL has also filed claims for almost all eligible shipments and is returning refunds to customers.
Retailer Refunds
Some large retailers, like Amazon, have received tariff refunds and plan to use them to lower prices for customers. Amazon executives said the company received $600 million in tariff refunds in the second quarter and will proactively contact affected customers and issue refunds in certain circumstances.
Other retailers, like Best Buy and Costco, have also said they will use tariff refunds to deliver value back to customers. However, some shoppers are suing to get the tariffs they paid in the form of higher prices back from companies.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut (Hartford) — read the source article.