Amazon Return Policy: 30 Days From Delivery, and What Can't Go Back
By the Returns & Refunds team · How we research
Summary
- Most items: 30 days from the delivery date, in original or unused condition.
- Not returnable: gift cards, Amazon Pharmacy orders, digital products, customized items, perishables, and some health, safety, and hazardous items.
- Amazon Haul: items $3 or less are final sale; pricier Haul items have 15 days.
- Once Amazon processes the return, credit cards take 3–5 business days and debit cards up to 10; the whole process can take up to 30 days.
On this page (5 sections)
Amazon’s return window is 30 days for most items, and it starts when the package is delivered, not when you ordered. Your order history acts as the receipt, so the questions people actually run into are about exceptions, drop-off options, and refund timing.
Source: Amazon’s return policy, non-returnable items, and refund timelines.
How long you have
Most items can be returned within 30 days of delivery, as long as they’re in original or unused condition. Your Orders shows a “return by” date for each item, which is the date to go by because some products have different terms.
Holiday purchases. Amazon usually extends the window for items bought during the late-fall shopping season, typically until the end of January. It posts the exact dates on its return policy page each year.
Third-party sellers. Items sold by other sellers on Amazon can have their own policies, shown on the product page. If a seller doesn’t sort out a return, the Amazon A-to-z Guarantee lets you file a claim.
What Amazon won’t take back
- Gift cards (except where the law requires it)
- Amazon Pharmacy orders
- Digital products such as downloads and activations
- Customized products made for you
- Perishable items
- Products that could pose health and safety risks once sold, and items with shipping restrictions
Amazon Haul has its own rules: items priced at $3 or less are final sale, and Haul items over $3 can be returned within 15 days of delivery at no cost.
Check the product page before you buy anything in these categories. Amazon marks items that can’t be returned.
How to return an Amazon order
- Go to Your Orders, find the item, and choose Return or replace items.
- Pick a reason. The reason affects whether you pay return shipping (items that arrived damaged or wrong are typically free to send back).
- Choose how to send it. Depending on the item and where you live, you may get:
- a QR code to show at a drop-off location, where staff pack and label it (UPS Store, Kohl’s, and Whole Foods Market are common options), or
- a label to print and attach to your own box.
- Keep the drop-off receipt until the refund posts.
Before sending back a phone, tablet, laptop, or camera, back it up and erase it.
How long the refund takes
Amazon issues the refund after the item arrives and is processed. Then:
| Refund method | Time to appear |
|---|---|
| Amazon gift card balance | 2–3 hours |
| Credit card | 3–5 business days |
| Debit card or checking account | Up to 10 business days |
Counting shipping and processing, Amazon says the whole thing can take up to 30 days. You can follow the status in Your Orders. If the refund was issued but never showed up, our guide to late refunds covers tracing and disputes.
Returning a gift
The person who received the gift can use Amazon’s Gift Returns Center with the 17-digit order number from the packing slip or the emailed gift receipt. The refund goes to the recipient as an Amazon gift card balance on the account used to start the return. The giver doesn’t need to be involved.
More on returns with no packing slip, no order number, or no access to the account: Amazon returns without a receipt.
Common questions
How many days do you have to return an Amazon order?
30 days from delivery for most items. Some categories are shorter or can't be returned, and items sold by third-party sellers can have their own terms. Your Orders shows the exact return-by date for each item.
Does Amazon extend returns for the holidays?
Usually, yes. Amazon typically lets items bought in the late-fall shopping season be returned until the end of January. The exact purchase dates and deadline are announced each year on Amazon's return policy page.
Can I return an Amazon item without the box?
Often, yes. For many items Amazon offers a QR code return where you hand the item over at a drop-off location, such as a UPS Store, Kohl's, or Whole Foods Market, and staff pack it for you. The options you see depend on the item and your location.
How long does an Amazon refund take?
After Amazon receives and processes the return, credit card refunds take 3–5 business days and debit cards or checking accounts up to 10 business days. Refunds to an Amazon gift card balance take a few hours. Counting shipping, the whole process can take up to 30 days.
What if a third-party seller won't accept my return?
Start the return through Your Orders as usual. If the seller doesn't resolve it, you can file a claim under the Amazon A-to-z Guarantee, which covers orders from third-party sellers.
Related guides
We have no business relationship with the stores or brands on this page. Policies change without much notice, so check the store's own policy page before you count on a deadline. If something here is out of date, let us know.