Amazon returns and refunds work like this: most items can be returned within 30 days of delivery in original or unused condition, you start the return under Your Orders, and Amazon refunds you after it receives and processes the item, in 2–3 hours to a gift card balance, 3–5 business days to a credit card or up to 10 business days to a debit card. Some returns get an advanced refund as soon as the carrier first scans the package.
This guide covers Amazon’s return windows by category, how to start a return and where to drop it off, how long each refund method takes, what changes when you bought from a third-party seller, and what to do when a refund doesn’t arrive.
How Long Do You Have to Return an Amazon Item?
The standard Amazon return window is 30 days from delivery for most items. Items must be in original or unused condition, with tags and hygiene seals intact and the original manufacturer packaging, accessories and inserts included. Your return-by date appears in the return confirmation and in Your Orders.
Some categories have shorter or longer windows, and Amazon usually extends the return period for orders placed during the holiday shopping season, announcing the exact dates each year.
| Return window | Items it applies to |
|---|---|
| 7 days | Accidentally purchased, unread Kindle books; undownloaded digital textbooks; songs bought by accident through Alexa |
| 15 days | Apple and Boost Infinite products; many Amazon Haul items |
| 30 days | Most items sold on Amazon |
| 90 days | Select Amazon Renewed items, most nonperishable baby products, non-owner gifts from birthday or custom lists, mattresses (not crib mattresses) |
| 180 days | Non-owner Wedding Registry gifts |
| 365 days | Amazon Renewed Premium items, non-owner Baby Registry gifts |
How Do You Start an Amazon Return?
Go to Your Orders, choose the item and select Return Items, then pick a reason and a return method. Amazon shows the drop-off and pickup options available for that item and generates a QR code or label as needed.
- Open Your Orders on the website or app and find the item.
- Select Return Items and choose the reason for the return.
- Pick a return method. Most items can be returned free at more than 8,000 drop-off locations, typically within 5 miles of your address, and usually don’t need a box or label.
- Prepare the item. Include all accessories and, for electronics, erase your personal data first.
- Drop it off or hand it to the carrier before the return-by date, and keep the receipt.
Gifts can be returned with the 17-digit order number on Amazon’s Returns page. Items from Amazon Global Store usually come with a prepaid UPS label that you can use at any UPS drop-off point in the U.S. Heavy or bulky items may need an appointment for a home collection by a specialty carrier.
How Long Do Amazon Refunds Take?
Once Amazon has processed your return, the refund time depends on how you paid. Gift card balances are fastest; prepaid cards are slowest.
| Refund method | Time after Amazon processes the return |
|---|---|
| Amazon gift card balance | 2–3 hours |
| Credit card | 3–5 business days |
| Shop with Reward Points | Up to 5 business days |
| Debit card, checking account or EBT card | Up to 10 business days |
| Prepaid credit card | Up to 30 days, depending on the card issuer |
| Promotional certificate | Not refunded |
Counting shipping and processing time, Amazon says the whole return can take up to 30 days. Our detailed guide on how long it takes for Amazon to refund walks through each stage, from drop-off to the credit posting on your statement.
When Does Amazon Issue the Refund?
Amazon issues refunds at one of two points. A standard refund is issued after Amazon receives and inspects the item. An advanced refund is issued when the carrier first scans your return, before it reaches Amazon.
If you get an advanced refund and don’t send the item back on time, Amazon charges your account; the charge is reversed once the return arrives and is processed. Amazon can also issue a partial refund if the item comes back used, damaged or missing parts. If the original payment method can’t take the refund, for example because the card expired, the money goes to your Amazon account balance.
Inspection is real, as our article on whether Amazon checks returns explains. Sending back the wrong product causes delays and partial refunds; see what happens if you return the wrong item to Amazon and, if it has already happened, how to fix being caught returning the wrong item. Schemes that try to game the system usually backfire, as covered in our piece on why the Amazon refund trick fails.
Does Amazon Charge for Returns?
Most items have at least one free return option. Fees can apply if you choose a paid return method, return a heavy or bulky item, or have an unusually high return rate.
Amazon can also charge a late fee when an item comes back after the return-by date, a damage fee when it comes back damaged or missing parts, and a restocking fee on opened software, video games, collectible cards, board games and certain figurines. The size of each fee is set in Amazon’s return policy and depends on the item.
Which Items Can’t Be Returned to Amazon?
Amazon does not accept returns of perishables, products that pose a health or safety risk, items with shipping restrictions, customized products, redeemable products, Amazon Pharmacy products, pet medication, certain digital products and automobiles. Items marked Final Sale, including trading card games and certain discounted items, can’t be returned either.
If a non-returnable item arrives damaged or defective, contact Amazon Customer Service rather than starting a standard return. Counterfeit items are a separate case; our guide to returning fake items to Amazon explains how to report them and get a refund.
How Do Returns Work for Third-Party Sellers?
When you buy from a third-party seller, the return goes to that seller, not to Amazon. Sellers must offer a U.S. return address, a prepaid return label, or a full refund without requiring the item back.
If the seller doesn’t cooperate, the Amazon A-to-z Guarantee lets you file a claim with Amazon. You are generally eligible when the last estimated delivery date was 90 days ago or less and, for example, the seller hasn’t authorized a return within 48 hours, closed your return without resolving it, or hasn’t refunded you within 7 days of receiving the item. A claim is ruled out if you also asked your card issuer for a chargeback.
Sellers who fulfill their own orders and send prepaid return labels can keep that cost down with discounted labels. ParcelPath is free and offers up to 85% off UPS and up to 89% off USPS retail rates, and you can compare live return-label rates in the ParcelPath rate calculator. More seller topics are in our Amazon seller shipping guide.
What If Your Amazon Refund Hasn’t Arrived?
First check the return status in Your Orders to confirm Amazon received and processed the item, then allow the time shown for your payment method. Banks sometimes need extra days to post a credit after Amazon releases it.
If you returned the item more than 30 days ago and still haven’t had a refund notification, contact Amazon Customer Service with your order number and the drop-off receipt or tracking number. For third-party orders, contact the seller first and file an A-to-z claim if the refund still hasn’t arrived 7 days after the seller received the item.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Amazon take to refund after a return?
After Amazon processes your return, refunds take 2–3 hours to an Amazon gift card balance, 3–5 business days to a credit card, up to 10 business days to a debit card or checking account, and up to 30 days to a prepaid card. Some returns qualify for an advanced refund, which Amazon issues as soon as the carrier first scans the package.
What is Amazon’s return window?
Most items can be returned within 30 days of delivery in original or unused condition. Some categories differ: Apple products have 15 days, select Renewed items and most nonperishable baby products have 90 days, and non-owner Baby Registry gifts have 365 days. Your exact return-by date appears in Your Orders and in the return confirmation.
Do I need a box to return an item to Amazon?
Usually not. Amazon says most items can be returned free at more than 8,000 drop-off locations, typically within 5 miles of your address, and usually don’t need a box or label. The return method screen in Your Orders shows whether your item qualifies and which locations near you accept it, along with the QR code to show at drop-off.
Can a third-party seller refuse an Amazon return?
Third-party sellers must offer a U.S. return address, a prepaid return label or a full refund without requiring the item back. If a seller closes or ignores a valid return request for more than 48 hours, you can file an Amazon A-to-z Guarantee claim, as long as the last estimated delivery date was 90 days ago or less and you haven’t filed a chargeback.
Sources
- Amazon Help, Amazon Return Policy (amazon.com help node GKM69DUUYKQWKWX7)
- Amazon Help, Refund Timelines (amazon.com help node GKQNFKFK5CF3C54B)
- Amazon Help, A-to-z Guarantee (amazon.com help node GQ37ZCNECJKTFYQV)
- UPS returns management
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