Costco Return Policy: Returns, Refunds, Exceptions, and 90-Day Rules

Costco’s U.S. return policy is built around its Risk-Free 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. For most merchandise, Costco does not publish a standard 30-, 60-, or 90-day deadline; qualifying products can generally be returned for a refund if you are dissatisfied. However, important exceptions apply. Certain electronics and major appliances must be returned within 90 days from the date the member received the merchandise, while some products are non-refundable or subject to special warranty, verification, or return procedures.

Warehouse purchases can generally be taken to the returns counter at any Costco warehouse. Costco.com purchases can usually be returned to a warehouse or handled through Costco.com, depending on the product. This guide covers the current U.S. Costco return policy, including receipts, online returns, refund timing, electronics, jewelry, return shipping, and major exclusions.

Table of Contents

Costco Return Policy at a Glance

Policy Detail	Current Rule
General Merchandise	Covered by Costco’s satisfaction guarantee, subject to exceptions
Standard Return Window	Costco does not publish a universal time limit for most merchandise
Electronics Return Window	90 days for specified electronics and major appliances
90-Day Window Starts	Date the member receives the merchandise
Warehouse Purchases	Return to the returns counter at any Costco warehouse
Costco.com Purchases	Generally return to a Costco warehouse or initiate through Costco.com
Receipt	Helpful, but may not be necessary for warehouse returns
Original Packaging	Helpful, but may not be necessary for warehouse returns
Online Return Shipping	No return-shipping charge for eligible Costco.com returns initiated through Costco.com
Online Shipping and Handling	Refunded on qualifying Costco.com returns
Online Replacements	Available for qualifying orders and return reasons
Membership Fee	Costco states it will cancel and refund the membership fee if the member is dissatisfied
Major Exceptions	Electronics, diamonds, custom products, precious metals, Shop Cards, certain tickets and gift cards, cigarettes/alcohol where prohibited, and other specified products

Understanding the Costco Return Policy

Costco guarantees satisfaction on the merchandise it sells and generally refunds the purchase price when a qualifying product is returned. Unlike retailers that impose one fixed deadline on nearly everything, Costco does not state a universal return period for most merchandise.

That does not mean every Costco product can be returned at any time. Specific categories have important limitations.

The most notable deadline is the 90-day return period covering designated electronics and major appliances. Other products may be non-refundable, subject to a limited warranty, require authentication, or follow specialized return procedures.

Costco also provides a satisfaction guarantee on membership. If a member is dissatisfied, Costco states that it will cancel and refund the membership fee.

Return Windows by Product Category

The return deadline depends heavily on what you purchased.

Product Category	Return Rule	Important Conditions
Most Costco Merchandise	No universal standard deadline published	Subject to Costco’s satisfaction guarantee and policy exceptions
Televisions	90 days	Measured from the date merchandise is received
Projectors	90 days	Measured from receipt
Qualifying Major Appliances	90 days	Specific appliance categories are covered
Computers	90 days	Measured from receipt
Touchscreen Tablets	90 days	Measured from receipt
Smart Wearable Devices	90 days	Measured from receipt
Cameras	90 days	Measured from receipt
Aerial Cameras/Drones	90 days	Measured from receipt
Camcorders	90 days	Measured from receipt
MP3 Players	90 days	Measured from receipt
Cellular Phones	90 days	Carrier service-contract rules may also affect the return
Diamonds 1.00ct or Larger	Special verification process	Original IGI and/or GIA paperwork is required
Tires and Batteries	Product-specific rules may apply	May be sold with a limited warranty
Custom-Manufactured Products	Generally non-returnable	Warranty repair/replacement may apply if specifications are not met
Precious Metals	Non-refundable	Standard satisfaction return does not apply
Costco Shop Cards	Non-refundable	Not eligible for a standard refund

Electronics

Costco’s 90-day rule is one of the most important exceptions to its general satisfaction guarantee.

The 90-day return period applies to specified products including televisions, projectors, computers, touchscreen tablets, smart wearable devices, cameras, drones, camcorders, MP3 players, and cellular phones.

Cellular-phone return details may also vary according to the applicable carrier service contract.

Major Appliances

The 90-day return period also applies to specified major appliances, including:

Refrigerators above 10 cubic feet
Freezers
Ranges
Cooktops
Over-the-range and under-counter microwaves
Range hoods
Dishwashers
Water heaters
Washers
Dryers

For products covered by this exception, the 90-day period starts when the member receives the merchandise.

What Condition Must Returned Items Be In?

Costco does not publish one simple universal condition rule stating that every return must always be unopened and in its original packaging.

For warehouse returns, Costco specifically says having the receipt or original product packaging helps, but these may not be necessary to process the return.

However, individual categories can carry additional requirements. For example, high-value diamonds require their original grading paperwork, while certain electronics may need preparation before being returned.

It is therefore important to check the rules applying to your specific item instead of assuming the general merchandise guarantee overrides category-specific requirements.

Can You Return Opened or Used Items?

Costco’s satisfaction guarantee is not limited by a universal rule requiring all eligible merchandise to remain factory-sealed. However, return eligibility still depends on the product category and applicable exceptions.

A product being opened does not automatically establish whether it qualifies or does not qualify for a refund. Electronics covered by the 90-day policy still need to be returned within that deadline, and products specifically listed as non-refundable remain excluded.

For Apple products in particular, Costco requires customers to perform a factory reset and unlock the device before returning it.

For any item containing personal information, removing personal data before handing over the product is also a sensible precaution.

Exceptions and Non-Returnable Items

Costco’s satisfaction guarantee has explicit exceptions. Some products have shorter deadlines, some require special processing, and others are non-refundable.

Important restrictions include:

Electronics: Specified electronics and major appliances must be returned within 90 days after the member receives them.
Diamonds: Diamonds of 1.00 carat or larger require original IGI and/or GIA certificates and authenticity verification.
Cigarettes and alcohol: Returns are not accepted where prohibited by law.
Tires and batteries: Products with limited useful lives may carry product-specific limited warranties.
Custom products: Products manufactured to a member’s personal specifications through Special Order Kiosk and Custom Installed Programs cannot generally be returned or refunded. Warranty repair or replacement may apply if the product fails to meet specifications.
Airline and live performance event items: Non-refundable.
Precious metals: Non-refundable.
Costco Shop Cards: Non-refundable.
Certain gift card and ticket items: Non-refundable.

These restrictions should not be confused with Costco.com self-service exclusions. An item being unavailable through the online self-service return system does not necessarily mean the product itself cannot be returned. Some items simply require assistance or a different return method.

How to Return an Item to Costco

The correct return process depends primarily on whether the product was purchased at a Costco warehouse or through Costco.com.

Returning a Warehouse Purchase

For merchandise purchased at a Costco warehouse:

Take the product to a Costco warehouse.
Go to the returns counter or Member Services area.
Bring the receipt if available.
Bring the original packaging when practical.
Costco’s Member Services team will review and process the eligible return.

Costco states that the receipt and original packaging are helpful but may not be necessary to process a warehouse return.

Returning a Costco.com Purchase to a Warehouse

Most eligible Costco.com purchases can also be returned to a Costco warehouse.

Returning an eligible online order at a warehouse can provide an immediate refund, including applicable shipping and handling charges.

Payment methods accepted online and in warehouses can differ. Costco states that, where possible, the refund for an online purchase returned at a warehouse will be placed on the card used for the purchase.

Returning an Item Through Costco.com

For an eligible online return:

Sign in to your Costco.com account.
Open Orders & Returns.
Find the relevant order.
Select Return or Replace Items.
Follow the instructions for the return or replacement.
Obtain the return label or schedule an eligible pickup.

Costco states that a return label is generally provided within an hour, although certain items can require additional processing.

Large products may have separate pickup instructions sent by email.

What Do You Need to Make a Return?

For a warehouse purchase, having your receipt and original product packaging can make the process easier, but Costco says these may not be necessary.

Because Costco purchases are tied to membership records, members can also access qualifying warehouse purchase history through their Costco account.

Additional documentation can be required for specialized returns. For example, diamonds of 1.00 carat or larger require the original IGI and/or GIA certificates.

For Costco.com returns, having access to the online account and applicable order information allows the return to be initiated through Orders & Returns.

Can You Return an Item Without a Receipt?

A paper receipt is not necessarily required for a Costco warehouse return.

Costco explicitly states that having the receipt helps but that it may not be necessary to process the return. Members can also view eligible in-warehouse purchase history through the membership linked to their Costco.com account.

This should not be interpreted as meaning that every product can be returned without supporting information. Specialized categories may require additional documentation. Large diamonds, for example, have specific paperwork requirements.

If you still have your receipt, keeping it with the product is the simplest approach.

Online vs. In-Store Returns

Warehouse and online purchases have different return processes.

Purchase Type	Main Return Method	Other Important Option
Costco Warehouse Purchase	Return at a Costco warehouse	Receipt and packaging are helpful but may not be required
Costco.com Purchase	Initiate through Orders & Returns	Most eligible orders can also be returned to a warehouse
Large Costco.com Item	Eligible pickup may be scheduled	Additional instructions may be sent by email
Certain Specialized Online Items	Customer assistance or warehouse return may be required	Online self-service may not be available

A product purchased at a physical Costco location should be taken to a Costco warehouse returns counter.

An eligible Costco.com purchase provides more flexibility because it can generally be returned to a warehouse or processed online.

Costco.com Self-Service Return Exclusions

Some products cannot be processed using Costco.com’s standard self-service return tool.

Categories listed by Costco include:

Special Order Kiosk items
Optical products
Tires
Tickets and digital goods
iTunes and Google Play products
Jewelry
Perishable products
Apple products
Costco Shop Cards
Certain specifically identified merchandise

Except for products that Costco explicitly classifies as non-refundable, a self-service exclusion does not automatically make an item non-returnable. Costco directs customers needing assistance with many of these categories to customer service or a local warehouse.

Return Shipping Fees and Other Charges

Eligible Costco.com returns processed through Costco.com are not charged return shipping.

Costco states that qualifying online returns are refunded, including shipping and handling fees, and credited to the original payment method used for the order.

This means an eligible online return handled through Costco’s return process does not require the customer to pay the standard return-shipping cost.

Specialized products can follow different processes, so customers should follow the instructions generated for the specific order rather than mailing a product back independently.

Are Original Shipping Charges Refunded?

For qualifying Costco.com returns, Costco states that the refund includes shipping and handling fees.

The same principle applies when an eligible Costco.com purchase is returned at a Costco warehouse: Costco states that the immediate refund includes shipping and handling fees.

Special products or transactions can have their own rules, so this should not be treated as a guarantee for every service, third-party transaction, ticket, or non-refundable category associated with Costco.

Refund Methods and Processing Times

The time required for a Costco.com refund depends partly on how the merchandise is returned.

Online Return Method	Typical Time for Costco to Issue Refund
UPS Return Label	2–3 business days after UPS scans the label
UPS Mail Innovations	2–3 business days after the return label is used
UPS Pickup	2–3 business days after UPS takes the item
Freight Pickup	2 business days after the carrier takes the item

Some products require an additional 3–10 business days for verification.

After Costco issues the refund, additional time may be required before the money appears, depending on the payment method and financial institution.

Credit or Debit Card Refunds

The time for a credit or debit card refund to appear on the statement depends on the financial institution’s policies.

Check Refunds

When Costco issues the refund by check, its current guidance states that the check should arrive by mail within 15 business days.

Costco Shop Card Refunds

If an online order was paid using a Costco Shop Card, Costco states that the Shop Card used for the order will be reloaded with the refund amount within 48 hours.

If Costco cannot reload the original Shop Card, a new Digital Shop Card is issued, generally within 1–2 business days.

Does Costco Offer Exchanges?

Costco.com provides a Return or Replace Items process for qualifying online purchases.

A replacement may be available when, for example:

The product is defective or damaged.
An incorrect item was received.
Duplicate items were received.
An item is missing from the shipment.
A shipment is lost.

The available option depends on the order and reason for the request. Do not assume every warehouse or online product is eligible for a direct exchange simply because it qualifies for a return.

Damaged, Defective, or Incorrect Items

Costco.com allows eligible customers to request a return or replacement for several order problems, including:

Defective merchandise
Damaged merchandise
Incorrect merchandise
Duplicate items
Items refused at delivery because the item or box was damaged
Missing items, where replacement is available
Lost shipments

The request can generally be started from Orders & Returns in the Costco.com account.

For products covered by a manufacturer warranty or Costco warranty support, warranty assistance may also be relevant after the applicable return period.

Diamond and Jewelry Returns

Jewelry can involve additional procedures, especially high-value diamonds.

For diamonds of 1.00 carat or larger, the member must present the original IGI and/or GIA certificates. Costco issues a Jewelry Credit Memo while a Costco Graduate Gemologist checks the diamond for authenticity.

For jewelry purchased through Costco.com, customers can take the item and applicable certificates to a Costco location.

Costco states that qualifying Costco.com jewelry refunds include shipping and handling charges.

Jewelry returned through Costco’s arranged pickup process is sent for authentication. This method can take longer because shipping and verification must be completed before the refund is processed.

Membership Return Guarantee

Costco’s satisfaction guarantee applies not only to merchandise but also to membership.

Costco states that it will cancel and refund a member’s membership fee if the member is dissatisfied.

This membership guarantee is separate from individual merchandise-return rules. Receiving a membership-fee refund should not be confused with the return windows and exclusions applying to products.

Return Policy vs. Warranty

A return policy and a warranty serve different purposes.

The Costco return policy determines whether an eligible product can be returned for a refund within the applicable policy conditions.

A warranty generally addresses covered product problems during the warranty period.

This distinction is particularly important for electronics, appliances, tires, batteries, and other products with category-specific return limitations or warranties.

For example, a product subject to Costco’s 90-day electronics return window does not become generally returnable under the standard merchandise guarantee simply because the 90 days have passed. Depending on the product and problem, technical support, a manufacturer warranty, or another applicable warranty program may instead be relevant.

What Happens If the Return Window Has Passed?

For merchandise that does not have a published fixed return deadline, Costco’s satisfaction guarantee and applicable exceptions determine eligibility.

For products specifically covered by the 90-day return limit, customers should not assume that the normal return process remains available after the deadline.

If a covered electronic device or appliance develops a problem after its return period, check whether Costco Technical & Warranty Services, a manufacturer warranty, or another applicable warranty provides assistance.

Products with limited useful lives, including certain tires and batteries, may also have product-specific warranty terms rather than an unrestricted merchandise-return period.

How to Track Your Return and Refund

Costco.com customers can check the status of an online return or replacement from their account.

Open the relevant order and select the option to view the Return/Refund Status. Costco provides the current refund or replacement status and the date the status was updated.

For mailed returns, retain the shipping or drop-off confirmation until the refund has been completed. For pickup returns, keeping the pickup information is similarly useful.

Common Reasons a Return May Be Denied

Costco’s broad satisfaction guarantee does not override its published exceptions. A return may not qualify when the applicable policy excludes it.

Examples include:

A covered electronic product is outside its 90-day return window.
The product is specifically designated as non-refundable.
A custom-manufactured product is being returned for a reason not covered by its applicable warranty provision.
Required diamond documentation is missing.
A cigarette or alcohol return is prohibited by applicable law.
A specialized product must follow a different return process.
A product is subject to a separate limited warranty rather than the standard return process.

The exact reason depends on the product and transaction.

What to Do If Your Return Is Denied

If Costco cannot process a return, first ask which product-specific policy or exception applies.

Check whether the merchandise belongs to the 90-day electronics category, a non-refundable category, or a product with a special warranty or verification process.

For Costco.com purchases, review the order in your account and use Costco customer service if the normal self-service option is unavailable.

For products outside their applicable return period, determine whether manufacturer support, Costco Technical & Warranty Services, or another applicable warranty is available rather than assuming an exception to the return deadline.

How to Contact Costco About a Return

For a warehouse purchase, the most direct option is the returns counter or Member Services desk at a Costco warehouse.

For Costco.com online-order assistance, Costco lists customer service at 1-800-955-2292.

Members can also use Costco’s online customer-service options for qualifying orders and return issues.

For a Costco.com purchase, keep the order number available when contacting customer service because it can help identify the transaction.

Tips for a Smoother Return

Check whether your item belongs to Costco’s 90-day electronics or appliance category before waiting to make the return.
Bring the receipt when available, even though Costco says it may not be necessary for a warehouse return.
Keep original packaging and accessories together when practical.
Do not discard IGI or GIA certificates supplied with qualifying diamond purchases.
For online orders, start with Orders & Returns to see the return or replacement options available for that specific product.
Keep UPS, freight, or pickup confirmation until the refund is complete.
Remove personal information and follow device-reset requirements before returning electronics.
Remember that an item excluded from Costco.com self-service is not necessarily non-returnable; it may simply require customer-service or warehouse assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Days Do I Have to Return Something to Costco?

Costco does not publish one universal return deadline for most merchandise covered by its satisfaction guarantee. However, specified electronics and major appliances have a strict 90-day return period starting when the member receives the merchandise. Other exclusions and specialized rules also apply.

Can I Return Something to Costco Without a Receipt?

A receipt is helpful but may not be necessary for a warehouse return. Costco can access qualifying purchase information associated with a membership. Certain specialized products can still require additional documentation.

Can I Return a Costco.com Order to a Costco Warehouse?

Yes, eligible Costco.com purchases can generally be returned to a Costco warehouse. Costco states that qualifying warehouse returns of online purchases receive an immediate refund, including shipping and handling fees.

Can I Return an Opened Item to Costco?

Costco does not impose a universal factory-sealed requirement on every eligible return. However, product-specific restrictions still apply. A 90-day electronics deadline, non-refundable designation, documentation requirement, or other exception can determine whether a particular return qualifies.

Does Costco Charge for Online Return Shipping?

Costco states that eligible purchases returned through Costco.com are not charged return shipping. Qualifying refunds also include shipping and handling fees.

How Long Does a Costco Refund Take?

For Costco.com returns, Costco typically issues refunds within 2–3 business days after qualifying UPS return activity or 2 business days after a freight carrier takes the item. Some products require another 3–10 business days for verification. Your bank or payment method may require additional time after Costco issues the refund.

Can Electronics Be Returned After 90 Days?

Specified electronics and major appliances are subject to Costco’s 90-day return window. After that period, warranty or technical-support options may be relevant, but customers should not assume that the regular return policy overrides the 90-day restriction.

Do I Need the Original Box to Return Something to Costco?

For warehouse returns, Costco states that original product packaging is helpful but may not be necessary. Specialized items can have additional requirements, so check the rules for the particular product before returning it.

Conclusion

The Costco return policy does not impose one universal deadline on most merchandise, but its satisfaction guarantee includes important exceptions. The biggest deadline to remember is the 90-day return window for specified electronics and major appliances, measured from the date the member receives the merchandise.

Warehouse purchases can generally be taken to a Costco returns counter, while eligible Costco.com orders can usually be returned at a warehouse or processed online. A receipt and original packaging can help but may not always be required for warehouse returns. Before returning electronics, diamonds, custom products, or other specialized merchandise, check the category-specific requirements so you use the correct process and return the item within any applicable deadline.