Big Online Shopper? FedEx Says It Will Return to Customers Any Refunds It Gets Back From Trump’s Illegal Tariffs

If you’ve ever bought toys from overseas, ordered that perfect birthday dress, or shipped gifts to loved ones, you may have felt the sting of extra charges from delivery carriers like FedEx due to Trump's tariffs. Now, there’s hopeful news for American families who felt the pinch of those fees —

and it centers on a recent court ruling and a pledge from the delivery giant itself.

What Happened With the Trump Tariffs?

Last year, as part of a trade policy under former President Donald Trump, a set of tariffs — essentially extra taxes on imported goods — was imposed under a law called the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). These tariffs were collected by Customs and often passed down to shippers and consumers through delivery fees.

But on Feb. 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that these IEEPA tariffs were illegal — meaning they shouldn’t have been charged in the first place.

FedEx Is Suing to Get That Money Back — and Says It Will Give It Back to You

Following that ruling, FedEx filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of International Trade asking for a refund of the tariff payments it made. The company says that if it gets refunded by the government, it will in turn return that money to the shippers and customers who originally paid it.

In a statement, FedEx said:

“If refunds are issued to FedEx, we will issue refunds to the shippers and consumers who originally bore those charges.”

This means families and small businesses who paid extra charges on international orders could — in time — see some of that money back. For online shoppers who spend hundreds or even thousands a year buying goods from overseas, that could add up.

But It Might Take a While — and the Details Still Matter

There’s a catch: the Supreme Court did not lay out a clear process for how these refunds would be issued, so FedEx is waiting on further government guidance and court decisions before setting up a payment plan or refund system.

Legal experts say setting up a system to return money to individuals is likely to be complex and take time, possibly months or longer.

That means while the promise is encouraging, families shouldn’t hold their breath for instant checks in the mail. But it does signal that companies are being held accountable for fees that were levied under an unlawful policy.

For many American families today, online shopping isn’t just a convenience — it’s part of how busy households manage their time and budgets. Being charged fees on gifts, clothes, electronics, or tools can add stress to family finances. The possibility that some of those costs could be refunded offers a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.