Tariff Refund Uncertainty Looms Over a Small-Business Comic Store

Marc Bowker, proprietor of Alter Ego Comics in Lima, Ohio, has spent over $16,000 on tariffs imposed on imported action figures—products that account for roughly 70 % of his store’s revenue. After the Supreme Court declared President Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose many of those tariffs illegal, the federal government began refunding the $160 billion collected under the invalidated measures. Bowker’s distributor, Sideshow Collectibles, has yet to receive any refund, leaving Bowker doubtful he will recoup his costs.

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The “Liberation Day” tariffs introduced in 2024 initially hit Chinese-made collectibles at rates as high as 145 %, later fluctuating lower. Bowker reported that the tariffs forced him to add a 3 % surcharge to customers, which he later eliminated to stay competitive. He estimates his action-figure sales fell 50 % last year, a decline he attributes largely to the tariff burden.

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• $16,000+ in tariffs paid by Bowker since the tariffs’ inception.

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• 50 % drop in action-figure revenue last year.

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• 70 % of Alter Ego Comics’ sales derived from action figures and related collectibles.

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• $160 billion slated for refund by the federal government from IEEPA-based tariffs.

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The Supreme Court’s decision found the administration’s reliance on IEEPA unlawful, prompting the Treasury to initiate the massive refund program. Sideshow Collectibles, the direct payer of customs duties, has indicated it has not yet received any refund and declined to comment further to NPR.

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• “It unfortunately could be a major issue to an industry that has really been firing on almost all cylinders for the last couple of years,” — Marc Bowker

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• “The reality is our action figure business was down 50% last year,” — Marc Bowker

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• “Everything I sell is not necessary, you know?” — Marc Bowker

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Bowker remains cautiously optimistic about a broader “There's a comic book renaissance right now boosting his sales, driven by popular titles like Absolute Batman.” boosting this year’s sales, yet he acknowledges that customers’ budgets are strained by lingering price pressures tied to tariff-related costs.

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