ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Last week Costco joined other companies taking legal action prior to a Supreme Court decision on the fate of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. These businesses, including Revlon and Bumble Bee Foods, are trying to get reimbursed for duties they’ve already paid.
Both the U.S. Court of International Trade and the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that Trump’s biggest tariffs were illegal. The case is now before the Supreme Court, where several justices expressed doubts during a hearing last month on whether a president has the power to impose tariffs on worldwide goods.
In its filing, Costco argued that it could lose the funds already paid even if the Supreme Court ultimately affirms lower court rulings that found former President Trump lacked the authority to impose the tariffs.
The company highlighted a looming December 15 deadline that could block refunds for tariffs paid on an estimated basis. Costco did not disclose the total amount it seeks to recover.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade, states that U.S. Customs and Border Protection denied Costco’s request to extend the December 15 “liquidation” date—the final calculation of tariffs on imported goods.
Although importers generally have six months to contest liquidation, the suit notes that “not all liquidations are protestable.”
