Thousands of claims for refund of duties are being prepared in the US

American companies are preparing a wave of lawsuits for the return of duties

US law firms are actively preparing lawsuits on behalf of importers who have been paying increased duties over the past year. It is estimated that since April last year, these fees have brought in about $175 billion to the federal budget.

Lawyers report that more than 1,800 lawsuits have already been filed, and expect their number to rise sharply in the coming weeks. Businesses are seeking to use the court opportunity to recover significant amounts paid under US trade policy.

Who is among the plaintiffs

Large companies have already joined the process, including Costco, Revlon, J. Crew, Prada, Dole and eyewear manufacturer Ray-Ban. The plaintiffs believe they have grounds to claim compensation following the decision of the highest court, which paved the way for a review of customs duties.

Possible consequences

Experts warn that if the plaintiffs are successful, the US federal budget may face the need to refund significant funds to importers. The situation may also affect Washington's future trade policy and the US approach to using duties as an instrument of economic pressure.

Analysts do not rule out that the case could become one of the biggest legal battles in international trade in recent years.