Amazon has one of the best general return policies of any online store. You have 30 days to return almost any item in new condition for whatever reason you have, such as just changing your mind or the item doesn’t fit as you’d hoped. Returns are most often free, or you can drop-off at over 18,000 locations.

When returning items to Amazon, you’ll want to check on specific situations, such as items purchased off your baby registry, beauty products, jewelry, diapers, furniture, and even supplements.

Can You Return Gifts to Amazon?

Amazon allows you to return gifts within 30 days when the original purchaser selected the item as a gift when they checked out. You can’t get a cash refund but will receive the balance to a gift card associated with your Amazon account. Gift items still fall under their own return policies, so you also need to check the return policy for the specific item.

	Return	Receive Amazon Credit	Exchange
Unopened Gift	✓	✓	✓
Used Gift	✓	✓	✓
Defective Gift	✓	✓	✓
Lightly Used	✓	✓	✓
Heavily used
Gift over $2,000

If you return an item in a used condition or without all of the accessories that came with it, you may receive a partial refund or no refund. 

The original purchaser of a gift can also return the item for a full refund as with any other purchase that they’ve made and want to return.

If the gift costs more than $2,000, the original purchaser must return it, and Amazon will refund the original payment form.

How to Return Gifts At Amazon

You make all Amazon purchases online, but if Amazon doesn’t offer you free return shipping, you can drop off your return at one of 18,000+ locations for free.

1. Log into Amazon or create an account
2. Go to the returns center
3. Enter your order number included on the shipping receipt in your package.
4. Select search and select the items you wish to return.
5. Select “Return To Amazon Hub Locker” and choose your preferred location
6. You’ll receive a drop-off code via email along with a reminder of the location.
7. Package your item and take it to your selected drop-off location
8. Enter your drop-off code.
9. The Amazon Hub Locker will provide further instructions on the screen.

Ensure when you package your item that it’s no larger than 18 in x 14 in x 12; otherwise, it won’t fit into the return locker.

You will have until the close of business the following business day to return your item. Amazon will not guarantee your locker space if you attempt to return items after your reservations window.

You can still try to return your item or cancel and reserve your space again.

How to Return Gifts By Mail To Amazon

You can return most items for free by mail. However, if your return label does not include postage, you will need to pay for the return using whatever method you want or drop the package off at an Amazon Hub Locker.

1. Log into Amazon or create an account
2. Go to the returns center
3. Enter your order number included on the shipping receipt in your package.
4. Select search and select the items you wish to return.
5. Select the return method, which could include USPS, FedEx, or another carrier.
6. Package your item, including the return authorization inside the package
7. Add the return label with the address to the outside of your package.
8. Take your item to the nearest drop-off location for the carrier you picked.

You can use the same box that your item arrived in or a similar-sized box. 

Types of Amazon Returns

Returning unused items is simple, and you will receive a gift card balance to the account that you used to make the return.

If you’ve opened or used the item, you can still return the item for a full refund as long as you return all items and there is no significant wear or damage to the item.

You can return items sold by third-party sellers using the same method, but you may need to pay for shipping, and the seller may need to confirm they will accept the item for the reason you have stated. 

Third-party sellers will verify your return before issuing a refund, and they may decline the return if the item has been used or damaged. In addition, their return policies are often more strict than directly with Amazon.

Can I Return Gifts Not Selected As Gifts At Checkout?

If you received a gift that the original purchaser didn’t select to be a gift, you can’t return the item and must ask the original purchaser to do it for you. Instead, Amazon will refund the purchase to the original purchaser’s payment method after they initiate the process.

If you need to exchange an item that was sent to you that wasn’t selected as a gift will need to be done through the original purchaser, but you can package and physically return the item.

Are There Gifts I Can’t Return?

Amazon will accept all gifts for return as if you had purchased the item yourself. However, there are exceptions on returning any items, whether they are gifts or not. 

You can’t return any items that are hazardous, Amazon will not accept them. Instead, Amazon will provide instructions on contacting the manufacturer or third-party seller who can assist with the items.

Amazon will not accept non-physical items; this includes gift cards, downloadable software, online subscriptions after you’ve used them, prepaid game cards, some personal care items, some grocery items, live insects.

Amazon Return Exceptions

What If The Return Window Has Passed: In most cases, you can’t return items past the 30-day return window. 

Amazon has a holiday return window during the Christmas holiday season, you can return items you purchased between October 1 to December 31 until January 31, which is especially important for gift purchases.

What If The Item Is Damaged: If you receive anything that arrived damaged, then you can return it for a full refund or exchange. The item will be verified when received back by Amazon, but the return will be processed unless there is a specific issue with the item.

What If I Don’t Have A Receipt: While you don’t need a receipt to return items to Amazon, you need to print a return label provided when you process your return.

You must include this in your package or at least on the shipping label so that you can get a refund. Sending anything back to Amazon without the return authorization will likely result in no refund.

What If I Don’t Have The Original Packaging: Original packaging is often not required, but you do need to return all accessories with the return. If you don’t return everything, you may only receive a partial refund.

What If The Item Has Already Been Used: Amazon will accept lightly used items for return. However, any significant damage or signs of heavy usage may result in a denial of your return or only a partial refund.