Costco Return Policy: Time Limits, Receipts and Exceptions

This guide explains Costco's return policy in plain English: what the satisfaction guarantee covers, which items have a 90-day limit, what you can't return, and how refunds work for online orders. Every detail comes from Costco's official customer service pages, linked in Sources. Policies change, so check the official page before you rely on it.

Last checked: Oct 22, 2026. Every Item is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Costco.

How long do you have to return to Costco?

Costco's return policy is built around its Risk-Free 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Costco says it guarantees your satisfaction on every product it sells and will refund your purchase price, with a list of exceptions. For most products, the policy doesn't state a return deadline. Costco adds that "limitations apply" and points members to the membership counter or Costco.com for details.

Item	Return window or rule
Most products	No deadline listed; covered by the satisfaction guarantee (limitations apply)
TVs, projectors, computers, touchscreen tablets, smart wearables, cameras, drones, camcorders, MP3 players and cell phones	90 days from the day you received it
Major appliances (refrigerators above 10 cu. ft., freezers, ranges, cooktops, over-the-range and under-counter microwaves, range hoods, dishwashers, water heaters, washers and dryers)	90 days from the day you received it
Recreational carts ordered online	90 days from the day you received it
Cell phones	90 days; details vary by carrier service contract
Your Costco membership fee	Refundable at any time if you're dissatisfied

The 90-day clock starts when you receive the item, not when you order it.

Exceptions: what Costco won't refund

Costco's policy lists these exceptions:

• Non-refundable: airline and live performance event items, precious metals, Shop Cards, and gift card and ticket items.
• Custom orders: products made to your personal specifications through the Special Order Kiosk or Custom Installed Programs can't be returned or refunded, except for warranty repair or replacement if they don't meet the specifications.
• Cigarettes and alcohol: not accepted for return where prohibited by law.
• Tires and batteries: products with a limited useful life may be sold with their own limited warranty.
• Diamonds of 1.00 carat or larger: you must bring all the original paperwork (IGI and/or GIA certificates). You get a Jewelry Credit Memo, and a Costco Graduate Gemologist inspects the diamond for authenticity within 48 hours.

Some items follow separate instructions. Return eyeglasses bought in a warehouse to its Optical Department. For hearing aids, contact the Hearing Aid Center at your warehouse. Contact lenses, online eyeglasses and large freight-delivered items each have their own Costco help page.

Returning to Costco without a receipt

Costco's help page on warehouse returns says it helps if you have the receipt or original product packaging, but it may not be necessary to process your return. Bring the item to any Costco warehouse, and the Member Services team will help.

Costco doesn't spell out on these pages how a no-receipt refund is paid, so ask at the returns counter.

How to return something to Costco

1. Warehouse purchases: take the item to the returns counter at any Costco warehouse.
2. Online purchases, in a warehouse: you can return Costco.com orders to any warehouse for an immediate refund, including shipping and handling fees. If possible, the refund goes to the card you paid with, but accepted payment methods differ online and in the warehouse.
3. Online purchases, by mail or pickup: sign in on Costco.com, go to Orders & Returns, choose "Return or Replace Items" and follow the prompts. You'll get a return label (usually within the hour) or can schedule a pickup where eligible. Large items get emailed instructions.

Costco says items returned through Costco.com are refunded including shipping and handling, and you won't be charged for return shipping. Some items, such as food (including pet products), high-end jewelry, floral and paper products, need extra processing time.

How long Costco online refunds take

From Costco's refund timing page:

How you return it	When the refund is typically issued
UPS return label	2 to 3 business days after UPS scans the label
UPS Mail Innovations	2 to 3 business days after the label is used
UPS pickup	2 to 3 business days after UPS takes the item
Freight pickup	2 business days after the carrier takes the item

Some items need an extra 3 to 10 business days for verification. After the refund is issued:

• Credit or debit card: it shows up according to your bank's policies.
• Check: it arrives in the mail within 15 business days.
• Shop Card: the card is reloaded within 48 hours, or a new Digital Shop Card is issued within 1 to 2 business days.

Is there a holiday return window?

Costco's return policy doesn't mention a separate holiday window. Most products don't have a listed deadline anyway. Holiday gifts in the electronics and appliance categories still follow the 90-day rule, counted from when the item was received. A TV bought in early November and received right away will run out of time in early February.

How to never miss a Costco return deadline

• Keep receipts for electronics and appliances, and note the 90-day date the day the item arrives.
• Take a photo of the receipt. Paper fades, and a photo helps even when a receipt isn't strictly required.
• Keep the original box for at least the first 90 days on big electronics.
• Hold on to diamond certificates. Without them, a return of a 1-carat-plus diamond gets complicated.
• Set a reminder a week before the 90-day mark so you have time to test and decide.

Every Item, our upcoming iPhone app (coming soon to the App Store), is built for this: it saves your receipts and reminds you before the return deadline.

Comparing stores? Costco's 90 days on electronics is longer than at the other stores we cover: see the Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart and Target guides.

Sources

All checked on Oct 22, 2026:

• What is Costco's return policy?: satisfaction guarantee, 90-day electronics and appliance list, exceptions and where to return. The page shows version 18.0, published Oct 2, 2025.
• How can I return an item purchased in a Costco Warehouse?: receipts and packaging.
• Return or Replace your Costco.com Online Order: online return options and refunds of shipping fees.
• When will I see my Costco.com refund?: online refund timing.

This guide is not affiliated with Costco. Costco notes that limitations apply to its guarantee.