Costco member’s lawsuit says clients are owed tariff refunds

Customers walk in the parking lot outside a Costco store on Dec. 02, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty ImagesArticle contentA Costco Wholesale Corp. member sued the retailer on Wednesday, saying it should reimburse all customers who paid higher prices on its products because of U.S.

President Donald Trump’s tariffs.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentThe lawsuit, filed by Costco member Matthew Stockov of Illinois, is one of at least five proposed class action cases identified by Bloomberg News in which a customer has sued a company to seek tariff refunds. EssilorLuxottica SA, the maker of Ray-Ban sunglasses, and FedEx Corp. have also been sued by clients.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentArticle contentThe cases represent a new legal strategy in the ongoing battle over tariff refunds, which has gone into high gear after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down some of Trump’s duties as illegal on Feb. 20. As a result, thousands of companies have sued in recent weeks in a bid to get refunds on the tariffs they’ve paid to import goods from abroad.Article contentPosthasteBreaking business news, incisive views, must-reads and market signals. Weekdays by 9 a.m.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Posthaste will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentNow, some consumers are arguing in court that if companies eventually get refunds, they want their share. But it’s unclear whether shoppers will be able to get refunds. And the timing and process to issue them is still being hashed out in court.Article contentAt the very least, the consumer class action lawsuits, which would have to be approved by a judge,, add to the growing political pressure on the administration to move forward quickly with the estimated US$170 billion in refunds.Article contentA U.S. trade court judge has ordered the administration to take steps toward refunding importers. The government has said it is working on a new process that could be operational within 45 days, and that would require companies to opt-in by submitting claims for the tariffs they paid. The government is due to update the judge on its progress on Thursday.Article contentArticle contentLast week, Costco chief executive Ron Vachris said the company was considering how to pass any refunds on to customers. “Our commitment will be to find the best way to return this value to our members through lower prices and better values,” he said.Article contentRead More Costco’s profits beat estimates as shoppers hunt for deals Costco joins companies suing for refunds if Trump’s tariffs fall Article contentStockov’s suit said that pledge wasn’t clear or firm enough. “Costco has made no commitment to return any portion of anticipated tariff refunds to the consumers who bore those costs,” it said.Article contentA Costco spokesman didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.Article contentThe case is Matthew Stockov v.

Costco Wholesale Corporation, 26-cv-02734, US District Court, Northern District of Illinois.Article contentWith assistance from Jaewon KangArticle contentBloomberg.comArticle contentTrending 'The bids just dried right up': Iran-driven oil shock ripples through Canadian economy News What's next for Roots, the iconic Canadian brand that said it might put itself up for sale? Retail & Marketing Canada once considered building an emergency oil reserve with the U.S., but the Americans backed out Oil & Gas Should couple in their 50s who want to retire tap into RRSPs or apply for CPP?

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Family Finance Posthaste: Canada is losing the productivity battle, even in the grocery aisles News