Walmart return policy: How it works

The Budget Fashionista provides this summary of the Walmart return policy for informational purposes only. These policies are subject to change.

Walmart has become a legit competitor to Amazon in recent years. The mass retailer has a huge online product marketplace that complements its in-store department and supermarket offerings. Fortunately, Walmart also has a friendly return policy – so if you get carried away with your online shopping, you can make returns easily.

How long you have to make a return

You have 90 days to return unwanted items to Walmart, which is three times as long as the standard 30-day window many retailers offer. Of course there are exceptions, which are listed below.

You must have proof of purchase to get a refund. Proof of purchase can be a receipt or the record of the purchase within your Walmart.com account. If you don’t have a receipt, you must show a government-issued photo ID. Walmart will check your ID against its database. If your ID is a match, you can exchange your item or get refunded with a Walmart gift card.

Holiday returns

You can return in-store and online purchases made between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 until Jan. 31 of the next year. Marketplace purchases may not qualify for this extended holiday-return window.

Exceptions

• You must return consumer electronics within 30 days.
• Wireless phones have a 14-day return window, except for Verizon Postpaid Wireless Phones – these have a 30-day return window.
• If you purchased a bundle of products, you must return the entire bundle to get a refund.
• Items with a rechargeable battery must have the battery to qualify for a return.
• If you assembled the item you bought, you must disassemble it to return it.
• Freight, oversized, and heavy items cannot be returned to stores. Reach out to Walmart customer service via online chat to get next steps.
• Private brand items with a satisfaction guarantee noted on the package are not subject to the 90-day return window.
• Appliances must be returned within two days.
• Marketplace collectibles or luxury items must be returned within 14 days. Most other marketplace items must be returned within 30 days.
• Cooling and heating devices have a 30-day return window.
• Electric bicycles, electric scooters, and hoverboards must be returned within 30 days.
• Vacuums and floor care devices must be returned within 30 days.
• Walmart Protection Plans, AppleCare+ plans, and True Network Tech Services must be cancelled within 30 days.
• Contact lenses, hearing aids, prescription glasses, and prescription contacts have to be returned within 60 days.

Read next: These 4 Walmart+ perks are worth $800 annually

Final sale items

These categories do not qualify for returns or exchanges.

• Downloadable software or video games
• Beer, wine, and spirits
• Airsoft and air guns, ammunition, archery bows, BB guns, crossbows, firearms, vertical bows
• Bear spray and pepper spray
• Collectibles
• Gas-powered vehicles
• Diabetic supplies, prescription medications, and prescription devices
• Home diagnostic testing kits, hygienic medical equipment
• Any product containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine
• Gold bars, coins, currency
• RV sewer equipment
• Walmart Business special orders
• Adult toys
• Tires, wheels, rims, snow tires, if used or mounted
• Tobacco products
• Trading cards

Refunds

Refunds are made to your original form of payment. If you purchased with a debit or credit card, have it available when you are requesting the return. If you don’t have the card and it isn’t available by scanning the receipt, you may get your refund in the form of a gift card.   

The timing of your refund varies by the original form of payment.

• Debit or credit card. Up to 10 business days.
• Prepaid credit or debit card. Up to 30 business days.
• Walmart gift card. Up to three hours.
• PayPal. Up to 30 business days.
• EBT/SNAP card. Up to three hours.
• Healthy Benefits Plus OTC card. Up to five business days.
• Affirm. Up to five business days.
• Third-party gift card. Up to 10 business days or longer if international.

Marketplace returns

Walmart Marketplace purchases have a 30-day return window, with exceptions. Appliances generally must be returned within two days, while consumer electronics have a 14-day return window. Collectibles and luxury items must also be returned within 14 days.

Restocking fees

The item’s listing page should outline the return policy and any restocking fees. Some marketplace sellers can assess restocking fees of up to 20%.

How to make a return

Items purchased in a store can be returned to a store. Bring the item with tags and packaging, receipt, and card used to purchase to any Walmart store. If you don’t have a receipt or the card, bring your photo ID.

Items purchased online can be returned with Walmart’s return label. Find your purchase in your Walmart.com purchase history, tap “view details” for the item you want to return. From there, follow the prompts to start a return. You will usually have these options:

1. Return the item to a Walmart store using a barcode.
2. Print the return label and mail the item via USPS or FedEx.

Does Walmart have a good return policy?

The Budget Fashionista rates the Walgreens return policy as very good, with a score of 4.25 points out of 5. The mass retailer offers a 90-day return window and free mailed returns. One issue is that the full details of the policy are spread across multiple pages online.

Our Return Policy Score™ score evaluates the key return policy factors shoppers care about most: return window length, condition requirements, refund method, shipping costs, in-store return flexibility, marketplace transparency, processing speed, and overall policy clarity. Each category is rated on a 1 to 5 scale based on how generous, convenient, and easy to understand the policy is. The final score is an average of all categories.

You can find Walmart’s official return policy here.