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On Amazon.com, a gift recipient generally can’t swap an item directly for another one. Return the gift through Amazon’s Gift Returns Center; after Amazon processes the return, its refund goes to the Amazon.com Gift Card balance of the account used to start the return. Then place a separate order for the item you want. If you bought the gift, use Your Orders to request a replacement instead.
How to return a gift as the recipient
- Open Amazon’s Gift Returns Center and sign in or create an account if prompted.
- Enter the gift’s 17-digit order number from the packing slip or digital gift receipt, then select Search.
- Select the item and choose a return reason. If a third-party seller sold the item, submit the request; the seller may review and authorize it before you can return it.
- Choose an available return method and follow the instructions on screen. Keep the confirmation email so you can track the return or check Your Returns.
- After Amazon receives and processes the return, the refund goes to the Amazon.com Gift Card balance of the account used to create the return.
- Place a new order for the item you want. Amazon handles a recipient’s gift exchange as a return followed by a new order, rather than a direct swap. See Amazon’s gift-return instructions.
If you bought the gift
The purchaser has a different route: open Your Orders and request a replacement if that option is available. If you return the gift instead, Amazon says the refund may go to the gift card balance or the original payment method, subject to its refund policy and timelines. For gifts valued over $2,000, Amazon says the purchaser’s refund can go only to the original payment method. These purchaser refund rules do not change the recipient’s gift-card refund route.
| # | 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 the return window and item condition
Amazon says most items sold on Amazon.com can be returned within 30 days of delivery, but exceptions apply. Check the item’s return information in the order or on its product detail page rather than assuming every gift has the standard window. See Amazon’s gift-return guidance and general return policy.
Return the item in the condition it arrived in, including its accessories. Amazon warns that an item returned in a different condition may receive only a partial refund. Don’t combine items from different orders or shipments in one return box.
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- 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 you don’t have the gift receipt or order number
- If you have the shipping tracking number, contact Amazon and follow its instructions for finding the gift order.
- If you have neither the order ID nor the tracking number, the gift purchaser needs to contact Amazon.
Amazon’s gift-return help page provides these fallback steps.
Gift returns versus ordinary exchanges
For an item you bought, an eligible exchange may appear in Your Orders under “Return or replace items.” Amazon says an item received as a gift, or one without an exchange option, must instead be returned and reordered. The available choices depend on the order and item. See Amazon’s exchange instructions.
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.
Which route should you use?
| Your situation | Where to start | What happens next |
|---|---|---|
| You received the gift | Gift Returns Center | Return it; the refund goes to the Amazon.com Gift Card balance of the account used to create the return, then you order again. |
| You bought the gift and want a replacement | Your Orders | Request a replacement if the order offers that option. |
| You bought the gift and want a refund | Your Orders | Return it; the refund may go to the gift card balance or original payment method, subject to Amazon’s policy and timelines. |
This guidance is for Amazon.com. Other national Amazon marketplaces may have different procedures, so use the local site’s help pages and the return options shown for your order.
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
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.
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.
