Migliaccio & Rathod LLP is investigating whether Apple Inc. improperly retained the financial benefits of tariff-related price increases after the U.S. government announced that certain tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) were unlawful and eligible for refunds.
The investigation focuses on whether Apple increased prices or maintained elevated prices because of tariffs while later seeking or receiving refunds of those same tariff payments without passing those savings back to consumers. If true, consumers may have paid inflated prices that were never reduced after the underlying tariff costs were eliminated.
What Consumers Report
Consumers report:
- Paying higher prices for Apple products during the tariff period.
- Being told that tariffs or increased import costs contributed to price increases.
- Purchasing products before any tariff refunds were announced.
- Never receiving a refund or credit after tariffs were invalidated.
- Continuing to pay elevated prices despite reports that import costs had decreased.
- Feeling they paid more than necessary because tariff-related costs were never returned to consumers.
Why Consumers Should Be Concerned
Apple manufactures and imports many of its products through international supply chains that were affected by tariffs imposed beginning in 2025. During public earnings calls and investor communications, Apple discussed the financial impact of tariffs and the steps it was taking to address increased import costs.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision invalidating many of those tariffs, importers became eligible to seek refunds from U.S. Customs and Border Protection for duties previously paid. If Apple ultimately receives billions of dollars in tariff refunds while consumers continue paying prices that reflected those tariffs, questions may arise regarding whether the company received a financial windfall at consumers’ expense.
Consumers generally understand that businesses may increase prices when costs increase. However, when those costs are later refunded, consumers may reasonably expect companies to reduce prices, issue credits, or otherwise return the benefit of those refunds instead of retaining both the higher consumer prices and the government reimbursement.
This investigation seeks to determine whether Apple adequately disclosed how tariff refunds would be handled and whether consumers who purchased affected products paid more than they otherwise would have absent the allegedly unlawful tariffs.
Potential Claims May Include
- Consumer Protection
- Deceptive Trade Practices
- False Advertising
- Unjust Enrichment
- Breach of Express Warranty
- Breach of Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing
- State Unfair Competition Law Violations
Signs You May Be Affected
You may be affected if:
- You purchased an Apple product between February 2025 and February 2026.
- You bought an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, or Apple accessories during the tariff period.
- You paid prices that allegedly reflected increased tariff costs.
- You never received a refund, rebate, or credit after tariff refunds became available.
- You believe Apple retained tariff-related price increases despite recovering those costs.
If you have encountered these issues, we would like to hear from you. Please complete the contact form on this page, send us an email at [email protected], or give us a call at (202) 470-3520.