Quick answer: Costco offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on merchandise and refunds the purchase price, with no general time limit stated. The exceptions are listed below. 6 exceptions below can shorten or change that.
Free shipping: Not listed · Returns: No fixed deadline (most items)
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We read Costco's policy pages ourselves and last checked them on October 13, 2026. Every rule below links to its source.
Costco return policy at a glance
| What you bought | Return rule |
|---|---|
| Most items | No fixed deadline (most items) |
| 90 days from receipt | TVs, projectors, major appliances, computers, tablets, smart wearables, cameras, drones, camcorders, MP3 players and cell phones (phone details vary by carrier contract) |
| 90 days | Recreational carts ordered online |
| Diamonds of 1.00 ct or larger | Bring the original IGI or GIA paperwork; you get a Jewelry Credit Memo after a gemologist inspection within 48 hours |
| Not returnable | Custom-made special order items, airline and live event items, precious metals, Shop Cards, gift cards and tickets; no cigarette or alcohol returns where the law prohibits them |
| Tires and batteries may come with their own limited warranty instead | See below |
| Contact lenses, eyeglasses, hearing aids and large freight items have their own return process | See below |
How returns work at Costco
- Costco offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on merchandise and refunds the purchase price, with no general time limit stated. The exceptions are listed below.
- Items bought in a warehouse go back to the returns counter at any Costco warehouse.
- Online orders can be returned at any warehouse or started on Costco.com.
- Costco says limitations apply; check the membership counter or Costco.com for details.
Can you return to Costco without a receipt?
Costco's return policy pages we checked do not spell out a no-receipt rule. Keep your receipt or order email, and ask at the store before you count on a refund. Compare other stores in our no-receipt returns guide.
Free shipping at Costco
We could not confirm Costco's free shipping rules on its own pages, so we have left them out rather than guess. Compare the stores we could check on our free shipping minimums page.
Member perks
Costco membership: Costco will cancel and refund your membership fee at any time if you are dissatisfied.
How Costco compares
Other department & big box stores:
- Walmart return policy: 90 days, shipping free at $35
- Target return policy: 90 days, shipping free at $35
- Kohl's return policy: 90 days, shipping free at $49
- Nordstrom return policy: No fixed deadline, shipping free, no minimum listed
Sources
We took every rule on this page from Costco's own website and checked it on October 13, 2026. Policies change, sometimes without notice, so confirm on Costco's site before you rely on a deadline.
Spotted a change? Tell us and we will recheck it. Past changes are in our policy change log.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you have to return something to Costco?
Costco offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on merchandise and refunds the purchase price, with no general time limit stated. The exceptions are listed below.
Can you return to Costco without a receipt?
Costco's policy pages we checked do not spell out a no-receipt rule. Ask at the store first.
Does Costco extend returns for the holidays?
The Costco policy pages we checked on October 13, 2026 do not mention an extended holiday return window.
