FTC Pyrex Settlement, How to Claim Your PayPal Payment Before It Expires

The Federal Trade Commission is currently sending out a second round of payments to consumers who bought Pyrex glass measuring cups on Amazon that were advertised as “Made in USA” but were actually manufactured in China. If you bought Pyrex measuring cups on Amazon between May 2021 and March 2022 and never cashed the refund check mailed to you in October 2024, there is a PayPal payment waiting for you right now — but you only have 30 days to accept it before it disappears.

Quick Facts

• Company: Instant Brands LLC — maker of Pyrex kitchen products
• What happened: Pyrex measuring cups were sold on Amazon as “Made in USA” while actually being made in China
• Settlement amount: $129,416 total
• First round: Checks mailed to 10,259 consumers in October 2024 — over $88,000 distributed
• Second round: PayPal payments being issued in March 2026 to consumers who never cashed their checks
• Action required: Accept your PayPal payment within 30 days of receiving it
• Questions? Call 1-833-244-7320 or visit ftc.gov/enforcement/refunds/pyrex-refunds

You bought a Pyrex measuring cup set on Amazon. The listing said “Made in USA.” Maybe it even said “Proudly Made in USA” or described the product as “American as Apple Pie.” You trusted it, paid for it, and when it arrived, you flipped it over and saw three words stamped in red on the bottom: “Made in China.”

That is exactly what happened to tens of thousands of American consumers — and the Federal Trade Commission went after Pyrex for it. Now, years later, money is finally making its way back to the people who were misled. The question is whether yours is still waiting for you.

What Did Pyrex Actually Do?

Pyrex is one of the most recognized kitchen brands in America. For decades, the brand built its identity around being a genuinely American-made product. Its marketing leaned into that image heavily — using phrases like “Made in USA,” “Proudly Made in USA,” and “1 of 10 products surprisingly still made in America.”

That identity became a selling point, especially on Amazon, where consumers searching specifically for American-made products would choose Pyrex over cheaper imported alternatives.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

The surge in home baking during 2020 and 2021 sent demand for Pyrex measuring cups through the roof. Instant Brands, the Illinois-based company that owns the Pyrex brand, could not keep up with that demand using its US production facilities. So between May 2021 and March 2022, the company shifted manufacturing of certain measuring cup sets to China to fill the gap.

The problem was not that the cups were made in China. The problem was that Instant Brands kept selling them on Amazon with the exact same “Made in USA” marketing — even after the switch. And the cups themselves arrived at customers’ doors with “Made in China” printed right on them in red text.

In total, over the course of those months and despite receiving dozens of consumer complaints, Instant Brands fulfilled more than 110,000 Amazon orders of US-origin measuring cup sets with Chinese-made products.

The FTC took notice.

The FTC Case and Settlement

The Federal Trade Commission filed a case against Instant Brands in 2023, charging the company with falsely advertising its Pyrex measuring cups as American-made while knowingly shipping Chinese-made versions to customers.

To settle the case, the company agreed to pay a $129,416 monetary judgment and accepted binding restrictions that prohibit it from making “Made in USA” claims unless the final assembly or processing of the product takes place in the United States, all significant processing occurs domestically, and all or virtually all ingredients or components are made and sourced in the US.

In plain terms: Pyrex can no longer slap a “Made in USA” label on a product unless it genuinely earns that label under strict federal standards.

As part of the settlement, Instant Brands was banned from making false claims going forward and required to pay money back to affected consumers. The FTC used those funds to provide refunds directly to eligible Pyrex customers.

The settlement was finalized on March 1, 2023.

Round One: Checks Mailed in October 2024

The FTC identified eligible consumers using Amazon purchase records — meaning most people who qualified never had to file a claim or even know about the settlement. The settlement administrator tracked down buyers automatically.

The FTC sent checks to 10,259 consumers in October 2024, with total refunds exceeding $88,000. Recipients were asked to cash their checks within 90 days.

Here is where the problem arose. Checks get lost. People move. Some consumers threw away what looked like junk mail without opening it. Many simply did not know the payment was coming. Whatever the reason, a significant number of those 10,259 checks were never cashed — and those uncashed amounts sat unused in the settlement fund.

Round Two: PayPal Payments Going Out Now — March 2026

Rather than letting that money go to waste, the FTC is now issuing a second round of payments — this time via PayPal — to every eligible consumer who did not cash their original check.

The settlement administrator is sending PayPal payments using the email address on file with Amazon to qualified consumers who did not cash their initial checks.

This is important: the payment goes to the email address tied to your Amazon account at the time of purchase. If you have changed your email address since then, or if that email is no longer linked to a PayPal account, you may need to take action to claim your payment.

If you receive a PayPal payment notification, you must accept it within 30 days or it will expire.

That 30-day window is not flexible. Once it closes, the payment cannot be reissued.

Do You Qualify for a Payment?

You may be eligible for a refund payment if all three of these things are true:

1. You purchased Pyrex glass measuring cups on Amazon.com during the period between May 2021 and March 2022.

2. The product was advertised as “Made in USA” but arrived labeled “Made in China.”

3. You did not cash the FTC refund check that was mailed to you in October 2024.

The payment amount for each consumer is based on the cost and number of products they purchased from Amazon during the covered period. The settlement administrator calculated individual amounts using Amazon purchase records, so the exact figure will vary from person to person.

One important detail: eligible consumers did not need to submit a claim to receive a settlement payment — the settlement administrator used Amazon purchase records to identify qualifying individuals automatically. If you are eligible, the payment comes to you. You do not have to find it.

What to Do Right Now

If you received a PayPal notification: Log into the PayPal account linked to your Amazon email address and accept the payment. You have 30 days from the date the payment was sent. Do not ignore the notification assuming it is spam — this one is real and it is your money.

If you think you qualify but have not received anything: Contact the refund administrator directly:

• Phone: 1-833-244-7320
• FTC refund page: ftc.gov/enforcement/refunds/pyrex-refunds

If your email address has changed since 2021: Contact the refund administrator to update your information and confirm whether a payment was sent to an old email.

If you cashed your October 2024 check: You have already received your refund and are not eligible for the second round of payments.

Why the “Made in USA” Label Matters Legally

This case is about more than Pyrex. It is about a legal standard that the FTC enforces strictly and that carries real financial consequences for companies that abuse it.

Under FTC rules, a product cannot be labeled “Made in USA” unless it is “all or virtually all” made in the United States. That means the final assembly must happen on US soil, significant processing must be domestic, and nearly all parts and components must be sourced in the US. Temporary supply chain shifts — even ones caused by a global pandemic — do not create exceptions to this rule.

The FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection has been clear on this point: if companies move their manufacturing outside the United States, even temporarily, they must update their advertising to make it accurate.

The Pyrex case is not unique. Other major brands have faced similar FTC enforcement actions over false origin claims, and the penalties have grown larger over time. Williams-Sonoma, for example, was ordered to pay $3.2 million for violating the FTC’s Made in USA standards — a much steeper price than the $129,416 Pyrex settlement.

For everyday consumers, understanding false advertising law is part of knowing your rights as a buyer. Our Consumer Lawyer page covers how consumer protection law works and what options you have when companies mislead you. You can also read more about product liability and false advertising claims and how the law holds companies accountable for what they put on their labels.

What Happened to Instant Brands After the Settlement?

The story of Instant Brands did not end with the FTC settlement.

In June 2023, just months after the settlement was finalized, the company filed for bankruptcy. In February 2024, private equity firm Centre Lane Partners acquired Instant Brands’ housewares division, which includes Pyrex, and the company was rebranded under a new name — Corelle Brands.

The Pyrex brand itself continues to exist and is still being sold today. The FTC’s ban on false “Made in USA” claims carries over regardless of the ownership change — meaning Corelle Brands is legally bound by the restrictions placed on Instant Brands as part of the 2023 settlement.

Key Legal Terms Explained

Federal Trade Commission (FTC): The US government agency responsible for protecting consumers from unfair or deceptive business practices, including false advertising.

Made in USA Standard: An FTC rule requiring that a product labeled “Made in USA” must be all or virtually all manufactured in the United States, with domestic final assembly, domestic processing, and US-sourced components.

Settlement Administrator: A neutral third party hired to manage the claims and payment process in a settlement — in this case, Simpluris, reachable at 1-833-244-7320.

Monetary Judgment: A court-ordered financial penalty requiring a company to pay a specific sum as part of a legal settlement or ruling.

False Advertising: A form of consumer fraud where a company makes untrue or misleading claims about a product — including where it was made, what it contains, or what it can do.

What This Case Means for Consumers Going Forward

The Pyrex case is a good reminder that “Made in USA” is not just a marketing phrase — it is a legal claim with specific standards attached to it. When companies use it falsely, even temporarily, the FTC has both the authority and the track record to act.

If you believe you have been misled by false advertising on any product — not just Pyrex — you have rights. The FTC’s consumer complaint portal allows any American to report deceptive business practices directly to the agency. And if you have experienced a significant financial loss due to false product claims, speaking with a consumer protection attorney is a smart first step toward understanding your options.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For questions about your specific eligibility or payment status, contact the FTC refund administrator at 1-833-244-7320 or visit ftc.gov/enforcement/refunds/pyrex-refunds.

Sources: Federal Trade Commission — FTC.gov Pyrex Refunds page | In the Matter of Instant Brands LLC, FTC Case No. 2223140 | ClaimDepot.com settlement report, March 2026 | Manufacturing Dive, October 2024

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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