Amazon Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Tariff Costs
Amazon is now dealing with a class action lawsuit, alleging it failed to repay tariff-related costs that it shifted onto consumers through increased prices in response to the Trump administration’s actions.
A proposed lawsuit lodged in Seattle claims that the tech giant raised prices on imported goods and accumulated hundreds of millions in unlawful tariffs before a February ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court declared President Trump didn’t have the authority to impose certain tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
The lawsuit states that despite thousands of companies seeking government refunds amounting to billions following that ruling, Amazon has not acted. It suggests this inaction isn’t due to a lack of legal obligation but rather a strategy to secure favor with Trump by letting the government keep the funds.
The complaint argues, “Amazon’s choice to ignore the recall serves its own political and commercial interests at the direct expense of the consumers who initially covered the tariff costs.”
The document also points out that the money Amazon is leveraging to maintain a good relationship with the president actually belongs to consumers. It reads, “These funds were unfairly taken from consumers to cover IEEPA tariffs that have since been rescinded. These funds belong to the consumers who paid the money.”
The lawsuit further claims Amazon “has no intention” to reimburse customers for these added costs, stating, “In short, the company has generated and retained windfall profits from government wrongdoing, and consumers, not Amazon, are being made to pay the price.” It accuses the company of unjust enrichment and violating consumer protection laws in Washington state.
This legal battle comes amid similar lawsuits from consumers against other major companies like Nike and Costco, who are also said to have withheld tariff refunds.
The complaint notes that Amazon faced potential backlash in April 2025 after reports emerged suggesting that the company might reveal how much of its product pricing was connected to IEEPA tariffs.
Amazon has denied these allegations, stating it never considered disclosing tariff-related prices on its platforms. Nonetheless, the complaint alleges that President Trump personally contacted Amazon’s Chairman Jeff Bezos to express his dissatisfaction following these reports.
Currently, over 2,000 businesses have approached the United States Court of International Trade seeking refunds for duties paid on imported products.
Requests for comments from Amazon and the White House have been made by FOX Business.
