Costco Return Policy 2026: Time Limits, Receipt Requirements, and Refund Methods

If you need to return an item purchased in a warehouse, simply bring it to any Costco warehouse location. The official policy states that it helps if you have the receipt or original product packaging, but it may not be necessary to process your return. This means you can often return items without a receipt, though having one speeds the process.

Return Time Limits by Product Category

Most Costco merchandise can be returned at any time with few exceptions. However, certain product categories have specific 90-day return windows measured from the date you received the merchandise.

Items That Cannot Be Returned

Costco does not accept returns on the following items:

• Cigarettes and alcohol, where prohibited by law (laws vary by state, so check with your local warehouse)
• Custom products manufactured to your personal specifications through the Special Order Kiosk, except for warranty repairs if the item fails to meet specifications
• Airline tickets and live performance event tickets
• Gift cards and Costco Cash cards

Products with a limited useful life expectancy, such as tires and batteries, may be sold with a product-specific limited warranty rather than the standard return policy.

Special Product Categories

Some items require handling through specific departments or processes:

Contact Lenses: Return your order to the Optical Department of any Costco location with no need to wait in the general returns line.

Eyeglasses: For warehouse purchases, visit the Optical Department. For online purchases, consult the Online Prescription Eyeglasses FAQ on Costco.com.

Hearing Aids: Contact the Hearing Aid center at your local Costco warehouse.

Large Freight-Delivered Items: These are picked up the same way they were delivered, either curbside, threshold, or with white glove service. Reschedule or cancel pickups through Costco.com by selecting Orders and Returns, then View Return/Refund Status.

Returning Costco.com Online Orders

Items ordered online can be returned in two ways: at any Costco warehouse location, or by initiating a return through Costco.com. If you return an online order through a warehouse, bring your item to the Member Services desk.

If you use a UPS return label for an online purchase, the refund will typically appear in your account 2-3 business days after the label is received by the returns lab. Other return methods may have different timelines, so check your product details page and Shipping and Returns information on Costco.com.

Many items purchased on Costco.com cannot be returned through the Self Service return option, including Special Order Kiosk items such as countertops, custom flooring, and garage doors. For these items, contact Costco customer service to arrange a return.

Receipt and Packaging Requirements

You do not always need a receipt to return an item at Costco. According to the official policy, it helps if you have the receipt or original product packaging, but it may not be necessary to process your return. However, having a receipt will make the process faster and easier for the Member Services Team.

For diamonds over 1.00 carat, you must present all original IGI and/or GIA certificates at the time of return.

For Apple products returned online or at a warehouse, you must perform a factory reset and unlock your device before returning it.

How Refunds Are Issued

Refunds are issued as store credit to your original payment method. The timeframe depends on how you returned the item. For in-warehouse returns, refunds are typically processed quickly at the Member Services desk. For online returns, the timeline varies, but UPS label returns generally appear in your account within 2-3 business days after the label is received by the lab.

For online orders that were paid with different methods, accepted payment methods may affect how your refund is issued. Check Costco.com for the complete list of accepted payment methods for your region.

If you have questions about the status of your return, visit Costco.com and select Orders and Returns, then choose View Return/Refund Status to track your specific order.

Membership Refunds

Costco will cancel and refund your membership fee at any time if you are dissatisfied, with no time limit on membership returns.