Retailers initiate customer refunds following Supreme Court ruling on federal import tariffs

US brands like Dame and FedEx are planning or issuing customer refunds for tariff surcharges after the Supreme Court struck down federal import duties.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 4, 2026, 3:40 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Digiday

Direct Reimbursement Strategies in Sexual Wellness

The sexual wellness company Dame has become one of the first brands to issue automatic refunds for its "Trump Tariff Surcharge," a five dollar line item fee added to checkout in early 2025. CEO Alexandra Fine announced that the company will return approximately $10,000 to roughly 2,000 customers who paid the fee during a two month window. Fine characterized the move as a proactive step toward fairness, opting to process the refunds immediately rather than waiting for the federal government to issue rebates to importers.

Corporate Commitments to Passive Refunds

Unlike Dame’s proactive approach, other major firms are tying customer refunds to the successful recovery of funds from the federal government. Shipping giant FedEx has stated that it will issue refunds to shippers and consumers if the company’s own litigation against the government results in the recovery of tariff payments. Similarly, Cards Against Humanity has directed customers to an online form to claim potential future reimbursements, contingent upon the administration returning what the company describes as "illegal" levies.

The Economic Impact of Invalidated Levies

The broader retail industry remains deeply affected by the fiscal remnants of last year’s trade policies. Importers have paid an estimated $170 billion in duties since the tariffs took effect, prompting thousands of firms to file suit against the federal government. While the Supreme Court’s ruling suggests these payments may be refundable, the Trump administration has indicated its intention to fight these lawsuits. Analysts note that while some brands are seeking positive public relations through refund announcements, many others are hesitant due to the lack of an established timeline for government reimbursement.