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Refund policy generator

A clear return window, condition rules and who pays return shipping. A starting template, not legal advice.

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Refund policy details

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This is a template, not legal advice. Review it, adapt it to your business, and have a lawyer check it if you sell in regulated categories.

Refund and Returns Policy

[Store name] · Effective September 7, 2026

1. Overview

We want you to be happy with what you buy from [Store name]. If something is not right, this policy explains what you can return, how to do it and how refunds work. It applies to orders placed on [website URL] from September 7, 2026.

You have 30 days from the day you receive your order to request a return. Requests made after 30 days cannot be accepted unless the item is faulty.

2. Return conditions

To be eligible for a return, an item must be:

  • Unused, unworn and unwashed, in the same condition you received it.
  • In its original packaging, with all tags, labels and accessories attached.
  • Accompanied by your order number or another proof of purchase.

Items that come back damaged, worn or missing parts may be refused or refunded at a reduced amount.

3. Items that cannot be returned

The following cannot be returned or refunded unless they arrive damaged or defective:

  • Digital products, downloads and licences, once they have been delivered or downloaded.
  • Gift cards and store credit.
  • Personalised or made-to-order items, unless faulty.
  • Items marked as non-returnable on the product page.

4. How to start a return

Email us at [contact email] with your order number, the item you want to return and the reason. We will reply with return instructions and, if needed, a return authorisation and the address to send the item to. Please do not send anything back before you hear from us, as unauthorised returns may not be accepted.

Pack the item securely, include your order number inside the package, and use a tracked shipping service. We are not responsible for return packages that are lost or damaged in transit.

5. Return shipping costs

If you are returning an item because it is faulty, damaged or not what you ordered, we cover the return shipping and will send you a prepaid label. For all other returns (for example, a change of mind or wrong size), you pay the return shipping, and the original shipping charge is non-refundable.

6. Refunds

Once we receive and inspect your return, we will email you to confirm whether the refund has been approved. Approved refunds are issued to your original payment method within 5-10 business days. Your bank or card issuer may take a few extra days to show the refund on your statement.

Refunds are for the item price. Original shipping charges are non-refundable unless the return is due to our error.

7. Exchanges

We are happy to exchange an item for a different size, colour or variant within the same 30-day window, subject to availability. Start an exchange the same way as a return. The fastest option is usually to return the original item for a refund and place a new order for the one you want.

8. Damaged, defective or wrong items

Please inspect your order when it arrives. If an item is damaged, faulty or not what you ordered, email [contact email] within 7 days of delivery with your order number and photos of the problem. We will arrange a replacement or a full refund, including any shipping costs, at no charge to you.

9. Late or missing refunds

If you have not received an approved refund after the period above, check your bank account again, then contact your card issuer, as refunds can take time to post. If you have done this and still have not received your refund, email us at [contact email] and we will chase it for you.

10. Your statutory rights

Nothing in this policy affects any rights you have under consumer-protection law in your country, including rights relating to faulty or misdescribed goods.

11. Contact us

Questions about returns? Email us at [contact email].

[Store name], [your country or state].

Your store details stay in this browser so the other three policies are pre-filled. Nothing is uploaded.

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1

Set your return window

14, 30 or a custom number of days, and what condition an item must be in.

2

Set who pays return shipping

You, the customer, or split by reason (defective vs changed mind).

3

Get a formatted policy

Covers restocking fees, digital goods, sale items and refund timing, ready to publish.

Choosing a return window

30 days is the market standard for US ecommerce and what customers expect before they will check out. 14 days is common for perishable, made-to-order or fast-fashion items where holding stock longer is impractical. Anything under 14 days measurably hurts conversion, since shoppers use the return window as a trust signal, not just a safety net.

State the window clearly: from delivery date, not order date, since shipping time already eats into a short window otherwise.

Condition, restocking fees and who pays shipping

Spell out condition requirements: unused, tags attached, original packaging, and any items that cannot be returned (underwear, earrings, opened cosmetics, custom or personalized goods, gift cards, digital products once delivered or accessed).

Decide who pays return shipping. Free returns are the strongest conversion lever but cost the most; charging the customer for change-of-mind returns while covering defective or wrong items is the common middle ground. A restocking fee, typically 10 to 20%, is reasonable for large or custom items but rare for standard retail and can generate complaints if it is not stated clearly before checkout.

Refund timing and why a clear policy reduces chargebacks

State how the refund is issued (original payment method) and how long it takes (immediately on your side, 5 to 10 business days for the bank to post it). Most complaints are really about the wait, not the amount, so setting the expectation upfront prevents them.

A clear, generous-looking refund policy reduces chargebacks because customers who know how to get a legitimate refund are far less likely to go straight to their card issuer and dispute the charge, which costs you the sale, a fee, and a mark against your payment processor account regardless of the outcome.

Frequently asked questions

Is this refund policy generator free?
Yes. Set your terms and copy the text with no signup.
Is the output legal advice?
No. This is a starting template based on common ecommerce practice, not legal advice. Some regions set a legal minimum return right regardless of your stated policy, so check local consumer protection law.
What return window should I use?
30 days is the ecommerce standard and performs best for conversion. 14 days suits perishable or made-to-order goods. Under 14 days is legal in most of the US but tends to lower trust and checkout completion.
Who should pay for return shipping?
Common practice is you cover it for defective or wrong items, and the customer covers it for change-of-mind returns, though offering free returns on everything is the strongest conversion lever if your margin supports it.
Can I charge a restocking fee?
Yes, if you disclose it clearly before checkout. 10 to 20% is typical for large, custom or made-to-order items. It is unusual for standard retail and can increase complaints if it comes as a surprise.
Are digital products refundable?
Most stores mark digital products as non-refundable once downloaded or accessed, with an exception for a genuine technical fault. State this clearly since digital delivery makes change-of-mind returns hard to enforce.
Can I exclude sale items from returns?
Yes, many stores mark clearance or final sale items as non-returnable, as long as this is stated on the product page before purchase, not just buried in the policy.
How does a clear refund policy reduce chargebacks?
A customer who trusts they can get a refund through you is far less likely to dispute the charge with their bank instead, which is slower, costs you a chargeback fee, and counts against your payment processor's risk score.

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