Costco Pledges to Pass Tariff Refunds to Members Through Lower Prices

Costco CEO Ron Vachris said any repayments from the tariffs would benefit members, though the refund process and timing remain unclear.

Customers walk in the parking lot outside a Costco store in Chicago on Dec. 2, 2025. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

Costco will pass any tariff refunds it might receive back to members through lower prices, CEO Ron Vachris said, although the timeline and even the likelihood of repayments remain uncertain.

Vachris made the pledge during Costco’s quarterly earnings call on March 5, as importers across industries pursue tens of billions of dollars in refunds after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority when he used an emergency power to impose global tariffs aimed at reducing trade deficits.