How much did tariffs cost me as a consumer?
Quick answer
IEEPA and Section 301 tariffs added 7.5% to 25% to the cost of affected imported goods, primarily from China. On a $100 purchase, that means $7.50 to $25 in embedded tariff costs passed through as higher retail prices. Your actual exposure depends on what you bought, when, and from which retailers.
Detailed Answer
Tariffs on imported goods are paid by the importer at the border — but the cost does not stop there. Most importers pass tariff costs through to their wholesale and retail prices, meaning consumers ultimately bear the burden.
The math on tariff passthrough:
Section 301 tariffs on Chinese imports ranged from 7.5% to 25% ad valorem (based on the declared customs value). IEEPA tariffs imposed additional duties on specific categories. When an importer pays a 25% tariff on $100 worth of goods, that $25 in duty typically flows through the supply chain:
- Wholesale markup: The importer's wholesale price increases to cover the tariff, often with an additional margin.
- Retail markup: Retailers apply their standard markup to the higher wholesale price.
- Consumer pays: By the time the product reaches you, the effective tariff cost can exceed the raw tariff rate due to cumulative markups.
Categories most affected:
- Electronics and tech accessories
- Clothing and textiles
- Furniture and home goods
- Toys and games
- Auto parts
- Industrial tools and equipment
How to estimate your exposure:
- Review your purchase history from the tariff period.
- Identify purchases from categories affected by Section 301 or IEEPA tariffs.
- Apply a 7.5-25% estimate based on the product category.
The aggregate impact. Studies estimate that Section 301 tariffs alone cost U.S. consumers tens of billions of dollars annually in higher prices. Individual household impact varies widely based on spending patterns.
What you can do about it: Consumer distributions are merchant-initiated and launch as retailers recover their refunds and opt in. Keep your contact details current with the brands you shop with, and watch for their notifications — participating retailers distribute a portion of their tariff refunds back to consumers who purchased affected products.
Related Questions
Can consumers get tariff refunds?
Potentially, yes — through merchant-run distribution programs. When importers and retailers recover tariff overpayments, they can partner with Tariffi to pass a share of those savings to consumers who purchased affected products. Distributions launch merchant by merchant as refunds arrive: participating merchants notify their eligible customers directly, so watch for emails from brands you shop with.
What is tariff passthrough?
Tariff passthrough is when importers pass the cost of tariffs through to downstream buyers via higher wholesale and retail prices. Studies show that Section 301 and IEEPA tariffs are largely passed through to U.S. consumers, meaning the economic burden falls on end purchasers, not the foreign exporters the tariffs target.
How do I check if I'm owed a tariff refund?
For consumers: there is nothing to file today. Consumer distributions are merchant-initiated — participating retailers identify eligible customers from their own purchase records and notify them directly as programs launch, so watch for emails from brands you shop with. For businesses: if you are a U.S. importer of record, upload your ES-003 at tariffi.io/intake/start for a free eligibility analysis.
How is this different from a class action?
Tariffi's consumer refund distribution is a voluntary program, not litigation. Participating retailers and importers opt in to distribute refunds as their programs launch. There are no legal fees, no court proceedings, no settlement timelines, and no attorney contingency. Once a merchant's program is live and you claim, payouts typically arrive within days — not years.
Need help?
Upload your ES-003 to see how much you could recover, or talk to our team.