To request a refund for an Amazon.com order, sign in to the account used to place it, open Your Orders, find the item, and select its return option. Choose a reason, review the refund or replacement choices available for that order, and follow the prompts for the return method. Eligibility and options vary by item and order; submitting a request does not guarantee a refund.
Request a refund for an Amazon.com order
- Sign in to the Amazon account used for the purchase and open Your Orders.
- Find the order and select the return option shown for the item you want to send back.
- Choose a return reason and review the options offered. Depending on the order, you may be able to request a refund, replacement, or exchange.
- Select a return method and follow the order-specific directions for the label, packaging, and drop-off. Amazon says return labels apply to specific returns, so do not combine items from different orders or shipments in one box. See Amazon’s Return Items You Ordered instructions.
- Keep the return confirmation and use Your Returns to check progress.
The available choices and instructions displayed for your order are the ones to follow. Amazon may issue an advanced refund after the carrier first scans a return, but it is not guaranteed; Amazon says it can charge that refund back if the item is not returned by the specified date or the return instructions are not followed. Details are on Amazon’s Refunds page.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Amazon eGift Card - Amazon Logo | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Amazon eGift Card - Happy Birthday | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Amazon eGift Card - Birthday Wishes | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Amazon Physical Gift Card in a Gift Box - Better than Gold - Black | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Amazon Physical Gift Card in a Mini Envelope - Candlelight Celebration | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Check whether the item is eligible
Amazon.com’s US policy says most items can be returned within 30 days of delivery if they are in original or unused condition. Some categories have different windows, and some items cannot be returned. Check the product detail page before buying or, after purchase, the order history and return-by date shown for your order. The date and options on that order take precedence over a general rule. See Amazon’s return policy and instructions.
A refund depends on Amazon or the third-party seller receiving the item and determining that the order is eligible. Amazon says receiving and processing a return can take up to 30 days, and some cases may take longer. These US policy figures are stated on Amazon’s help pages, which do not show a publication year.
#1 Best Overall
- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
How long an Amazon refund takes
Amazon says the full refund process can take up to 30 days. Return shipping and processing happen before the payment provider may post the money, so an issued refund and funds visible in your account are not always simultaneous. Amazon’s published estimates by refund method are:
| Refund method | Amazon’s stated estimate |
|---|---|
| Amazon.com Gift Card | 2–3 hours |
| Credit card | 3–5 business days |
| Shop with Reward Points | Up to 5 business days |
| Debit card | Up to 10 business days |
| Checking account, EBT card, cash at a participating location, or some prepaid credit cards | Up to 30 days; prepaid-card timing depends on the issuer |
| Promotional certificate | No refund issued |
These are Amazon’s estimates, not a promise about when your bank or card issuer will post funds. Amazon notes that a financial institution may take additional time after Amazon issues a refund. If the refund cannot be sent to the original payment method, Amazon says it may be credited to your Amazon account balance. See Amazon’s refund timing and methods.
Rank #2
- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
Track the return or get help
Open Your Returns and select the item to see the latest return and refund information. You can also use the Return/Refund Status link in the return-confirmation email. Amazon’s refund status instructions describe both options.
If more than 30 days have passed since you returned the item and you have not received a refund notification, Amazon’s refund help says to contact Customer Service. For other order problems, Amazon’s Customer Service page points customers to Your Orders for order help and Your Returns for return and refund status.
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Rank #3
- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
If the order was sold by a third-party seller
Submit the return request through Your Orders. For items sold by an Amazon seller, Amazon says you need to submit a return request; the seller reviews it before issuing a refund or replacement. If the seller does not respond within two business days, Amazon’s return instructions say you can request an A-to-z Guarantee refund. That request is subject to the program’s eligibility conditions and is not an automatic refund. See Amazon’s seller-return instructions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If you paid an outside merchant with Amazon Pay
An Amazon Pay transaction with an outside merchant is different from an order bought directly on Amazon.com. Contact the merchant first to arrange a return, refund, or replacement under its policy. Amazon Pay says the merchant manages the refund, not Amazon Pay. If the merchant does not reply within three business days or you cannot resolve the issue with the merchant, follow the escalation conditions on Amazon Pay’s returns and refunds page.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Gift Card is redeemable towards millions of items storewide at Amazon.com
- Gift Card has no fees and no expiration date
- Gift Card is affixed inside a mini envelope
- Free One-Day Shipping (where available)
- Scan and redeem any Gift Card with a mobile or tablet device via the Amazon App
Rank #4
- Gift Card is redeemable towards millions of items storewide at Amazon.com
- Gift Card has no fees and no expiration date
- Gift Card is nested inside a specialty gift box
- Free One-Day Shipping (where available)
- Scan and redeem any Gift Card with a mobile or tablet device via the Amazon App
| Purchase type | Where to start | Who handles the refund | Escalation route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com retail order | Your Orders | Amazon or, for a third-party seller order, the seller reviews the request | Amazon Customer Service; eligible seller-order claims may qualify for an A-to-z Guarantee request |
| Outside merchant paid through Amazon Pay | Contact the merchant | The merchant | Contact Amazon Pay under the conditions on its help page |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
