Bigelow Tea Manufactured in the USA Settlement
By the Class Action Buddy Editorial Team · Last reviewed November 6, 2026
This is the rare settlement where the class already won. A jury in Los Angeles found on April 8, 2025 that Bigelow had falsely represented its tea as manufactured in the USA, in breach of California's Consumer Legal Remedies Act and of an express warranty. It awarded the class $2,360,744. Bigelow appealed, and this settlement is what ended that appeal. The money on offer is therefore tied to a judgment figure rather than to whatever a defendant felt like paying.
That changes the arithmetic in a way almost nobody reports. The widely quoted $10 without a receipt and $20 with one are the starting amounts. If the total of valid claims comes in below the Class Judgment Amount of $2,548,187, benefits are increased pro rata, to a stated maximum of $20 and $40. A light turnout does not shrink your payment here. It doubles the ceiling.
Two catches. Only nine specific teas qualify, in 18 or 20-count boxes, bought at a California retail store during the class period of October 17, 2017 to July 31, 2023. And everyone at one mailing address shares a single maximum between them, so a household filing four forms gains nothing.
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Who Is Eligible?
You may be eligible to file a claim if you:
- You bought a qualifying Bigelow tea at a retail store in California at any time between October 17, 2017 and July 31, 2023. Purchases outside California are not covered.
- Only 18 or 20-count boxes labeled “Manufactured in the USA 100% American Family Owned”, in these nine varieties: Earl Grey Black, Green Tea, Constant Comment Black, Green Lemon, Vanilla Chai Black, English Tea Time Black, Spiced Chai Black, French Vanilla Black and Vanilla Caramel Black.
- No receipt needed to claim the lower amount. A receipt, invoice or similar documentation moves you to the higher tier.
- Excluded: anyone who opts out, distributors and retailers of the products, the Court and its staff, the mediator and his staff, and counsel of record with their immediate families.
How Much Can You Get?
The class won this at trial. On April 8, 2025 a jury found Bigelow violated California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act, breached an express warranty and made a false representation. It awarded $2,360,744. Bigelow appealed, and this settlement resolved the appeal.
$0.50 a box. Without proof of purchase that runs up to $10; with proof of purchase, up to $20.
Those are starting figures, not ceilings. The Class Judgment Amount is $2,548,187 — the jury award plus $187,443 of post-judgment interest at 3.97%. If valid claims total less than that, benefits are increased pro rata, to a stated maximum of $20 and $40. If claims exceed it, they are reduced pro rata instead.
One maximum per household. Class members at the same mailing address are entitled to a collective maximum, so four people in one home filing four forms do not multiply the payout.
Fees do not come out of your payment. The notice states fees are separate and apart from the money paid to class members: $2,746,451 in fees, $653,756 in expenses, $25,000 to each of the two plaintiffs who testified at trial, and up to $501,605.90 for administration.
How to File Your Claim
File with the administrator:
- Claims close February 8, 2027, online at teaclassaction.com or postmarked to Tea Class Action, c/o JND Legal Administration, P.O. Box 91307, Seattle, WA 98111.
- Excluding yourself or objecting closes January 7, 2027, a month before the claim deadline.
- Final approval hearing is May 17, 2027 at 1:30 p.m. in Los Angeles. Payment follows roughly 45 days after final approval and any appeals.
- Do not let it expire. You have 30 days to accept a PayPal payment and 90 days to cash a check. Anything unclaimed goes to Feeding America or the Consumer Federation of California.
- Help: 1-844-566-0049 or info@TeaClassAction.com.
- The case is Banks, et al. v. R.C. Bigelow, Inc., Case No. 2:20-cv-06208-SVW (RAOx), United States District Court for the Central District of California.
File this one with the administrator
Class Action Buddy does not file this settlement for you — use the official claim process above. What the app does do is watch the open settlements list and tell you when a new one matches your profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to file a claim for the Bigelow Tea Manufactured in the USA Settlement?
The current deadline to file a claim is Feb 08, 2027. Claims sent by mail must be postmarked by this date, so allow about a week for delivery if you are not filing online.
Do I need proof of purchase for the Bigelow Tea Manufactured in the USA Settlement?
No proof of purchase is required — you can typically file based on a sworn statement, without receipts, photos, or product packaging. You also do not need a Claimant ID or PIN to file.
How do I file a claim for the Bigelow Tea Manufactured in the USA Settlement?
File directly with the settlement administrator, using the official claim form linked on this page. Class Action Buddy does not support this settlement in the app, so the administrator’s own claim process is the route. You do not need a Claimant ID or PIN to file.
Everyone says the maximum is $10. Why do you say $20?
$10 without proof of purchase is the base amount. The settlement also provides that if the total value of valid claims comes in below the Class Judgment Amount of $2,548,187, benefits are increased pro rata up to a stated maximum of $20 without proof and $40 with it. So $10 is what you get in a heavy-turnout scenario, not the cap.
Do I need receipts for tea I bought in 2018?
No. You can claim without any proof of purchase. Keeping a receipt simply moves you to the higher tier, which is worth doing if you happen to have one, and is not worth hunting for if you do not.
My partner and I both bought it. Should we both file?
It will not help. Class members residing at the same mailing address are entitled to a collective maximum per household rather than per person. File one claim covering the household purchases.
I bought Bigelow tea in Texas. Can I claim?
No. The class covers purchases at retail stores in California only. The case was brought under California consumer law on behalf of California purchasers.
Primary source: official settlement administrator — teaclassaction.com. The settlement details on this page were checked against the administrator’s official website.
Class Action Buddy is an independent directory and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the settlement administrator or the court. This page is general information, not legal advice. See how we verify settlements.
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