Costco sued over claims it raised prices, then sought tariff refunds from government
Costco is facing a class action lawsuit alleging it profited by both charging customers higher prices due to tariffs and then claiming refunds when those tariffs were deemed unlawful.Summary
A class action lawsuit filed in Seattle federal court accuses Costco of unjustly benefiting from tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The plaintiffs allege that Costco raised prices on imported goods between February 2025 and February 2026 to offset tariff costs, effectively passing those costs onto consumers. Subsequently, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the IEEPA-based tariffs unlawful on February 20, 2026, Costco sought refunds for the same tariff costs.
The lawsuit argues that Costco is attempting to collect the same money twice – once through higher prices paid by customers and again through government refunds. Plaintiffs claim Costco has not offered to reimburse customers for the initial tariff costs, and instead, CEO Ron Vachris indicated any refunds would be used to lower prices for future shoppers. The complaint cites Costco’s public statements acknowledging the impact of tariffs on its costs and pricing decisions, as well as its own case filed with the U.S. Court of International Trade seeking tariff refunds.
The proposed class includes individuals across the United States who purchased goods from Costco during the specified period that were subject to the IEEPA tariffs. The lawsuit seeks damages for unjust enrichment, money had and received, and violations of the Washington Consumer Protection Act. KING 5 News has contacted Costco for a statement.
(Source：WLTX.com)