Costco Faces Customer Lawsuit Over Potential Tariff Refunds

Costco is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit in the United States after a customer claimed that any tariff refunds the retailer receives from the federal government should be shared with shoppers. The lawsuit was filed by Illinois resident and Costco member Matthew Stockov, who argues that consumers ultimately bore the cost of the import duties through higher retail prices.

The dispute follows a major ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on February 20, 2026, which determined that certain tariffs imposed during former President Donald Trump’s administration under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were unlawful. The decision triggered a wave of litigation, with more than 1,000 companies filing claims in the U.S. Court of International Trade seeking reimbursement for duties previously paid.

Costco is among the companies pursuing refunds from the government. The new lawsuit contends that if the retailer successfully recovers those payments, the funds should not remain solely with the company but should instead be distributed to customers who indirectly paid the tariffs through product prices.

Costco executives have previously indicated that any tariff refunds could translate into lower prices or improved value for members. However, the plaintiff argues that consumers deserve a direct share of any reimbursement. Legal experts say the case could set an important precedent regarding whether companies must pass government tariff refunds on to customers when those costs were embedded in retail pricing.