Filed Date: May 29, 2025
Closed Date: June 27, 2025
Clearinghouse coding complete
This case challenged the legality of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). On May 29, 2025, Chapter1 LLC, a Nevada-based skincare business, filed this suit in the U.S. Court of International Trade seeking a refund of $22,953.50 in duties it paid under a series of executive orders that imposed tariffs ranging from 10% to 145% on imports from China. Represented by Gerstein Harrow LLP, the plaintiff alleged that the tariffs were not authorized by IEEPA, were imposed in violation of statutory and constitutional limits, and had been declared unlawful by the court one day earlier in V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. Trump.
Chapter1 had imported a custom-made machine from China on May 5, 2025, and paid nearly double the value of the machine in duties. It filed this action on behalf of itself and a proposed class of all importers who paid tariffs under the challenged executive orders. The plaintiff sought class certification, a declaratory judgment, and either a refund or money judgment.
On the same day, the plaintiff also moved for summary judgment (SJ) and for class certification. The summary judgment motion relied heavily on the court’s ruling in V.O.S., arguing that the legal issues had already been resolved and no facts were in dispute.
On June 27, 2025, Chapter1 voluntarily dismissed the case under Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(i). The court clerk entered the dismissal the same day. No answer was filed and no judicial ruling was issued on the merits.
The case is closed.
Summary Authors
Brian Chen (7/3/2025)
V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. Trump, U.S. Court of International Trade (2025)
State of Oregon v. Trump, U.S. Court of International Trade (2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70404058/parties/chapter1-llc-v-united-states/
Attorney-in-Charge, Attorney-in-Charge (District of Columbia)
Bae, Sosun (District of Columbia)
Burke, Claudia (District of Columbia)
Chaudhary, Sabahat (New York)
Cowman, Blake William (District of Columbia)
Attorney-in-Charge, Attorney-in-Charge (District of Columbia)
Bae, Sosun (District of Columbia)
Burke, Claudia (District of Columbia)
Cowman, Blake William (District of Columbia)
Mathers, Luke (District of Columbia)
Mathias, Collin T. (District of Columbia)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70404058/chapter1-llc-v-united-states/
Last updated Aug. 21, 2025, 3:04 p.m.
State / Territory: New York
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government (Tariffs)
Key Dates
Filing Date: May 29, 2025
Closing Date: June 27, 2025
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
A private business importing skincare manufacturing equipment.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Withdrawn
Defendants
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Immigration/Border: