Tariff Refunds: Sony and Microsoft Refuse to Share with Customers

Consoles became more expensive in 2025 due to US tariffs – now Sony and Microsoft are getting some of that money back. But apparently, not the buyers. In ongoing legal proceedings, both corporations argue they are under no obligation to pass on tariff refunds to their customers.

How Much Money Is Sony Getting Back?

According to PC Gamer, Sony expects around $508 million in refunds. The background: US tariffs introduced in 2025 drove up the prices for PS5 and Xbox by sometimes more than $50. A US court has since declared these tariffs illegal, which is why affected companies now have a right to repayment. However, customers who paid the higher prices at the time will see none of it, as things stand.

What Do Sony and Microsoft Say in Their Defense?

In the lawsuits, both corporations argue almost identically: buyers received exactly what they paid for at the time of purchase – a functional console at the advertised price. No legally relevant damage arises from this, even if a portion of the purchase price is subsequently flowed back to the manufacturers through tariff refunds. Lawsuits from console buyers in the USA aim to legally challenge precisely this and demand a share of the refunds.

From our perspective, this is a telling example of how differently costs and profits are distributed in the gaming industry: tariff-related price increases were unreservedly passed on to customers in 2025, but now the money is only flowing back in one direction. For players, this specifically means: anyone who paid more for their console last year due to the tariff-induced price increase currently shouldn't expect a refund – unless the ongoing class-action lawsuits ultimately succeed.

Similar disputes concerning customer rights have also emerged elsewhere recently: just recently, the legal dispute over digital PlayStation games sparked discussions, in which Sony argued similarly.

Source: PC Gamer

We are keeping an eye on the ongoing proceedings and will report as soon as a verdict emerges.