Costco Sues US for Tariff Refunds on Imports

Costco Wholesale Corporation filed a lawsuit Friday against the U.S. government in the Court of International Trade in Manhattan, seeking to secure refunds for tariffs it has paid on imported goods if the Supreme Court ultimately deems President Donald Trump's tariff authority unlawful.

The retailer, the world's third-largest by revenue, argues that Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 to impose the levies creates uncertainty for businesses seeking to recover overpayments. Under the tariff regime, which targets imports from countries including China, Mexico and Canada, importers like Costco must pay duties upfront. However, a December 15 deadline looms for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to finalize or "liquidate" certain import entries, locking in the amounts and potentially barring challenges or refunds even if the tariffs are later invalidated. Costco stated that the agency denied its request to extend this timeline, prompting the immediate suit. One of its entries has already been liquidated, and others are nearing the cutoff, according to the complaint.

The lawsuit requests that the court declare the tariff orders invalid, prevent...