A restocking fee is an amount a retailer may subtract from your refund when it accepts a return. The fee is often described as covering the cost of handling returned goods or putting them back into saleable stock. Not every retailer charges one, and there is no general fee rate or nationwide return rule: the seller’s disclosed policy and the law that applies to your transaction matter.
How a restocking fee changes your refund
The fee reduces the money you get back by the amount charged. Other deductions—such as return shipping or nonrefundable shipping and handling—may reduce the refund further, depending on the seller’s policy and applicable law.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) illustrates why it helps to check each term separately. Its .com Disclosures guide gives a fictional example with restocking fees of $19.95, $29.95, or $49.95 depending on when an item is returned, plus nonrefundable shipping and handling. Those figures illustrate how a policy can be disclosed; they are not typical rates or market averages.
What to check in a retailer’s return policy
Before buying, look for the policy on the product page or during checkout. A policy first shown on a receipt after purchase may not give you meaningful advance notice. Check these details:
- Whether a fee applies: Some sellers do not charge one. Confirm that the policy covers the item you are buying and the reason you might return it.
- Amount and calculation: Look for a fixed dollar charge, a percentage, or a tiered amount based on when you return the item. Do not assume a standard rate.
- Return deadline and item condition: Check how long you have and whether opening, using, or returning the product without its packaging changes the terms.
- Other deductions: Find out who pays return shipping and whether the original shipping or handling charge is refundable.
Keep a copy of the listing, policy shown at checkout, receipt, order confirmation, return authorization, and any messages with the seller. Those records can help you compare the refund with the terms disclosed when you bought the item.
Can a retailer charge a restocking fee?
It depends on the jurisdiction, the retailer’s policy, and the circumstances of the return. Do not treat one state’s rule as a nationwide standard.
Examples of state guidance
- Ohio: The Ohio Attorney General says sellers are not required to offer a particular return policy and that state law does not prohibit restocking fees. If a seller has a refund policy, it must be clearly and conspicuously posted; the Attorney General advises disclosing any restocking fee before purchase. See Ohio’s guidance on refund policies and restocking fees.
- Georgia: The Georgia Attorney General’s consumer guidance says retailers may set return policies that include restocking fees and calls for adequate advance disclosure. It also notes that charging a fee may be unfair or deceptive in some circumstances. This is Georgia-specific guidance, not a rule for every state. See the Georgia Attorney General’s guidance.
- Arizona: Arizona Revised Statutes § 44-1377 defines a restocking fee as a business charge for restocking goods on return or exchange. It requires notice that a fee may apply and information on where the customer can obtain the full policy. Consult the current Arizona statute and consider how it applies to the specific transaction.
- California: The California Department of Consumer Affairs describes a restocking fee as an example of a limited return policy and discusses Civil Code section 1723’s posting requirements for policies that depart from certain common expectations. Its guide dates to June 2012, so check current California law before relying on it. See California’s return-policy guide.
Federal fee disclosures are not a return-rate rule
The FTC’s digital-advertising disclosure guidance says that an advertiser promising satisfaction should clearly and conspicuously disclose restocking fees because they affect what the consumer receives back. Separately, the FTC’s Unfair or Deceptive Fees FAQ says its rule took effect May 12, 2025, and requires truthful fee information in its covered context. Businesses must also follow applicable state and local requirements, which may provide greater protection. Neither source establishes a universal restocking-fee rate or a general right to return delivered goods.
What if the item is defective, wrong, or late?
A change-of-mind return may be handled differently from a return involving an item that is defective, incorrect, or delivered late. The reviewed state guidance does not establish one exception that applies everywhere. Document the problem, contact the seller, and check consumer guidance or law for your state before assuming the seller can—or cannot—deduct a fee.
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Do not confuse a return policy with an order-shipment refund
The FTC’s Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule guide addresses covered situations where merchandise is not shipped as promised and the seller must provide a refund or obtain consent to a delay. It is not a general federal right to return delivered merchandise because you changed your mind.
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