Panic Refunds Nearly $100K to Playdate Buyers Over Illegal Tariffs

Panic Inc., the Portland-based technology company behind the Playdate handheld gaming console, has begun issuing refunds to customers for a tariff surcharge it had previously added to purchases, following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that declared the underlying tariffs illegal. The company confirmed it has returned nearly $100,000 to affected buyers, a move that contrasts sharply with the actions of many larger corporations. The refunds stem from a 19 percent tariff fee Panic applied as a separate line item on Playdate orders during a period when the Trump administration's tariffs were in effect. The company initially tried to absorb the cost but later passed it along to customers.