Consumers filed a class action lawsuit against Amazon on May 15, 2026, in federal court in Seattle. They seek refunds for higher prices linked to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump that the US Supreme Court ruled unlawful earlier this year [1, 2, 3].
The tariffs, enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), were struck down by the Supreme Court in a 6-3 decision in February 2026. The court found the tariffs were imposed unlawfully [1, 2, 3].
The lawsuit alleges Amazon collected hundreds of millions of dollars in these unlawful tariff costs by raising prices before the Supreme Court ruling. The company has not sought refunds from the government nor issued refunds to consumers, according to the complaint [1, 2, 3]. The suit claims unjust enrichment and violations of Washington state consumer-protection laws [1, 2].
Unlike importers, consumers cannot seek tariff refunds directly from the government. This makes companies like Amazon gatekeepers in passing refunds back to shoppers [1, 2]. The lawsuit states, "These funds were wrongfully taken from consumers to cover IEEPA Tariffs that have since been invalidated," and adds that Amazon "has no intention of" refunding these costs [1, 3].
Reports from April 2025 said Amazon considered showing tariff cost breakdowns on product pages. That reportedly drew White House backlash and a call from former President Trump to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. Amazon denied it planned such disclosures [1, 2].
Other companies affected by the tariffs, including Costco, Nike, and shipping firms FedEx, DHL, and UPS, have either passed refunds on to consumers or sought refunds themselves [1, 3].
The class action lawsuit marks the latest legal challenge facing Amazon over these tariffs and focuses on stopping the company from keeping refunded funds owed to customers. The next steps will take place in the Seattle federal court where the case was filed on May 15, 2026, as plaintiffs seek restitution.
