Case: Illuminate USA LLC v. United States Customs and Border Protection

1:25-cv-00281 | U.S. Court of International Trade

Filed Date: Nov. 19, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

[This summary is temporary while we research the case.] On November 19, 2025, Plaintiff, a U.S. importer, filed this lawsuit against U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Rodney S. Scott, and the United States in the U.S. Court of International Trade in order to challenge a series of 2025 executive orders through which President Trump imposed sweeping new tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Beginning February 1, 2025, the President issued multiple orders imposin…

[This summary is temporary while we research the case.]

On November 19, 2025, Plaintiff, a U.S. importer, filed this lawsuit against U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Rodney S. Scott, and the United States in the U.S. Court of International Trade in order to challenge a series of 2025 executive orders through which President Trump imposed sweeping new tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Beginning February 1, 2025, the President issued multiple orders imposing “Trafficking Tariffs” on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China based on alleged national emergencies tied to drug trafficking and illegal immigration. These were followed by a “Reciprocal Tariff Order” imposing a baseline 10% tariff on almost all imports and dramatic country-specific tariff hikes, including increases that pushed Chinese imports over 145% duty. Plaintiff alleged that IEEPA does not authorize tariffs, citing the Federal Circuit’s en banc decision in V.O.S. Selections v. Trump, which held the same tariff orders unlawful. Plaintiff sought a declaration that all IEEPA-based tariffs are unlawful, an injunction halting further tariff collection, and refunds of all duties already paid.

This case is ongoing.

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71935842/parties/illuminate-usa-llc-v-united-states-customs-and-border-protection/

Attorney for Plaintiff

Brew, John Bowers

Wolff, Daniel William

Attorney for Defendant

Attorney-in-Charge, Attorney-in-Charge

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
2

1:25-cv-00281

Complaint

Nov. 19, 2025

Nov. 19, 2025

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71935842/illuminate-usa-llc-v-united-states-customs-and-border-protection/

Last updated Dec. 23, 2025, 12:32 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
2

Complaint against All Defendants. Answer due by 1/20/2026. Filed by John Bowers Brew of Crowell & Moring, LLP on behalf of Illuminate USA LLC.(Brew, John) (Entered: 11/19/2025)

Nov. 19, 2025

Nov. 19, 2025

Clearinghouse
1

Summons . Filed by John Bowers Brew of Crowell & Moring, LLP on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Brew, John) (Entered: 11/19/2025)

Nov. 19, 2025

Nov. 19, 2025

3

Form 5 Information Statement . Filed by John Bowers Brew of Crowell & Moring, LLP on behalf of Illuminate USA LLC. (Brew, John) (Entered: 11/19/2025)

Nov. 19, 2025

Nov. 19, 2025

4

Form 11 Notice of Appearance . Filed by John Bowers Brew of Crowell & Moring, LLP on behalf of Illuminate USA LLC.(Brew, John) (Entered: 11/19/2025)

Nov. 19, 2025

Nov. 19, 2025

5

Form 11 Notice of Appearance . Filed by John Bowers Brew of Crowell & Moring, LLP on behalf of Illuminate USA LLC.(Brew, John) (Entered: 11/19/2025)

Nov. 19, 2025

Nov. 19, 2025

6

Form 13 Corporate Disclosure Statement . Filed by John Bowers Brew of Crowell & Moring, LLP on behalf of Illuminate USA LLC. (Brew, John) (Entered: 11/19/2025)

Nov. 19, 2025

Nov. 19, 2025

7

Certificate of service . Filed by John Bowers Brew of Crowell & Moring, LLP on behalf of Illuminate USA LLC. (Brew, John) (Entered: 11/21/2025)

Nov. 21, 2025

Nov. 21, 2025

8

Motion to consolidate case(s) 1:25-cv-00281, 1:25-cv-00285, 1:25-cv-00286, 1:25-cv-00288, 1:25-cv-00290, 1:25-cv-00292, 1:25-cv-00293, 1:25-cv-00294, 1:25-cv-00295, 1:25-cv-00296, 1:25-cv-00297, 1:25-cv-00301, 1:25-cv-00302, 1:25-cv-00304, 1:25-cv-00305, 1:25-cv-00306, 1:25-cv-00308, 1:25-cv-00309, 1:25-cv-00310, 1:25-cv-00311, 1:25-cv-00316 with lead case 1:25-cv-00255 AGS Company Automotive Solutions v. CBP et al. Responses due by 12/22/2025. Filed by Valerie S. Ellis of Crowell & Moring LLP on behalf of Illuminate USA LLC.(Ellis, Valerie) (Entered: 12/01/2025)

Dec. 1, 2025

Dec. 1, 2025

9

Certificate of service . Filed by John Bowers Brew of Crowell & Moring, LLP on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Brew, John) (Entered: 12/02/2025)

Dec. 2, 2025

Dec. 2, 2025

10

Order entered on 12/3/2025 assigning action to three-judge panel consisting of Judge Gary S. Katzmann, Timothy M. Reif, Jane A. Restani.(Swindell, Stephen) (Entered: 12/03/2025)

Dec. 3, 2025

Dec. 3, 2025

11

Paperless Order entered on 12/3/2025: Upon consideration of the Consent Motion to Consolidate filed by the parties in the actions listed therein, and all other pertinent papers, and upon consent of the United States, it is hereby ORDERED that the Motion is GRANTED; and it is further ORDERED that the following actions are consolidated pursuant to USCIT Rule 42(a) with the cases that were consolidated by the court's previous November 20, 2025 order: Illuminate USA LLC v. U.S. Customs and Border Prot. (Case No. 25-281), Moog, Inc. v. United States (Case No. 25-285), LONGi Solar Tech. (U.S.) Inc. v. U.S. Customs and Border Prot. (Case No. 25-286), Ushio Am., Inc. v. U.S. Customs and Border Prot. (Case No. 25-288), Chromalloy San Diego Corp. v U.S. Customs and Border Prot. (Case No. 25-290), Toyota Tsusho Canada, Inc. v. United States (Case No. 25-292), iFIT, Inc. v. United States (Case No. 25-293), Indus. Tech Servs., Inc. v. United States (Case No. 25-294), Toyota Tsusho Nexty Elecs. Am., Inc. v U.S. Customs and Border Prot. (Case No. 25-295), Schnitzer Steel Canada Ltd. v. United States (Case No. 25-296), Toyota Tsusho Am., Inc. v. U.S. Customs and Border Prot. (Case No. 25-297), Goody Foods Corp. v. United States (Case No. 25-301), Lilla P LLC v. United States (Case No. 25-302), NP U.S.A., Inc. v. United States (Case No. 25-304), Sherrill Inc. dba Vertical Supply Grp. v. United States (Case No. 25-305), Stone Showcase, Inc. v. United States (Case No. 25-306), Alcoa USA Corp. v. United States (Case No. 25-308), OSI Elecs., Inc. v. United States (Case No. 25-309), EssilorLuxottica v. U.S. Customs and Border Prot. (Case No. 25-310), Astronics Corp. v. United States (Case No. 25-311), Costco Wholesale Corp. v. United States (Case No. 25-316); and it is further ORDERED that AGS Co. Auto. Sols. shall be Lead Plaintiff and Consol. Court No. 25-255 shall be the consolidated case number for filings that apply to all consolidated cases; and it is further ORDERED that the consolidated actions shall proceed under such further orders as the Court may issue. SO ORDERED by the panel (Related Doc # 8 ). (Goell, Geoffrey) (Entered: 12/03/2025)

Dec. 3, 2025

Dec. 3, 2025

Case Details

Case Type(s):

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Nov. 19, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Case Details

Other Dockets:

U.S. Court of International Trade 1:25-cv-00281

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket