Amazon Christmas Return Policy (All You Need to Know)

Do you know what Amazon’s Christmas return policy is? Well, you are at the perfect place to find the answer to such a question.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Amazon presents. That’s right, it’s hard to celebrate Christmas without receiving at least one gift from Amazon. However, if you don’t like the Amazon gift you’ve received, can you return it?

Amazon has a special Christmas return policy in order to encourage gift shoppers to make their purchases early while avoiding the restrictions of the normal thirty day return policy. Gifts bought between October and December can be returned as late as January 31.

In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about Amazon’s Christmas return policy.

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Table of Contents

How Long Do I Have to Return Amazon Christmas Gifts?

Up until three years ago, Amazon’s Christmas return policy stated that all products purchased between November 1 and December 31 had until January 31 of the following year to be returned.

However, for the past two years, this period has been extended, to begin with October 1, and it will most likely continue.

If you received a Christmas gift that someone bought from Amazon at any time during the months of October, November, and December, you will have until the end of January to return it.

While this policy mainly applies to Christmas gifts, any birthdays, weddings, or other gift-giving celebrations that fall within this time period can benefit from the holiday return policy.

With the luxury of a maximum of virtually 120 days from the date of purchase to return a gift to Amazon, who wouldn’t want to take advantage of the ability to get your shopping over with early and enjoy the Christmas season stress-free?

Can I Exchange My Amazon Gift for Something Else?

Amazon does not allow exchanges, not even for gifts. If you find something else on Amazon that you would rather have than the gift that you received, you will have to make a full return and purchase the new item.

If they are similarly priced, this could work to your advantage since you can just use the Amazon credit you will receive from the return to purchase the new product.

Even if the new item you desire is the same exact product in a different size, color, etc., you will still need to return it and then start a new order.

If your Amazon gift arrived broken or defective and you need a replacement, you have two options.

First, you can return the item and make sure to indicate the condition in which you received it. Then you can purchase a new one with your Amazon refund from the broken gift.

Alternatively, you could contact the gift giver and they can request a direct replacement without having to go through a full return.

How Do I Return an Amazon Christmas Gift?

Amazon has a special returns center for gifts so make sure to search for that when you visit the returns center section of Amazon’s website.

You need to have an Amazon account to return gifts from Amazon, so start by logging in or signing up for free.

On the packing slip or gift receipt confirmation email, there is an order number that you will need to enter into the search bar.

Select the gift you are returning and include the reason for the return. You will then be given several options for return methods. The most common way to return an Amazon gift is by shipping it to their return facility.

Most products distributed by Amazon that weigh under fifty pounds will be provided with a prepaid shipping label so that you don’t have to pay for shipping.

Other options depending on where you live include dropping off the return at an Amazon Hub Locker or a designated box free, label free location.

What Condition Does the Gift Need to Be to Return It to Amazon?

Amazon requires that all gifts be returned in the same condition they were received. This means that if your Amazon gift comes with special parts or accessories, they need to be present, or you may not be fully reimbursed for the product.

If you received an Amazon gift that was broken or defective, there is a place to indicate this under why you are returning the gift.

You should not be penalized for sending back a broken gift if that is the condition you received it; however, if experience issues or do not receive a full refund in this case, contact Amazon’s customer support for help.

Electronics should be wiped off any personalized or downloaded material before being returned.

Only include the gifts you wish to return in the package, not all products from the order if you have multiple Amazon gifts from the same person’s order.

How Will I Be Reimbursed for My Returned Amazon Christmas Gift?

If you choose to return a Christmas gift to Amazon, you will be reimbursed in the form of an Amazon gift card.

As long as the item is in its original condition, Amazon will issue you a gift card in the same amount that the gift giver paid for it.

Gift card refunds for gifts will be sent to your email once the Amazon item has been received and processed by Amazon returns facility.

If you bought a Christmas gift from Amazon and need to return it for whatever reason, you can choose to receive your refund as an Amazon gift card or back to your original purchasing account.

If you received a Christmas gift from Amazon that is worth over $2000, the refund will be made to the gift giver, not you as the gift recipient.

Is There a Restocking Fee for Amazon Christmas Gifts?

Most merchandise from Amazon that you would receive as a Christmas gift would not be charged a restocking fee.

However, if you fail to return the item before the January 31 return deadline, you may have to pay 20% of its original value as a restocking fee.

Some electronics may be charged a restocking fee, depending on the item. Amazon will notify you if this applies to any electronic gifts you wish to return.

CDs, vinyl records, VHS tapes, and cassette tapes all require a 50% restocking fee if they are returned opened.

Any item that is returned used or damaged (unless the item was received damaged, and you indicate this in your reason for return) will be charged a restocking fee of at least 50% of the product’s original cost.

Are There Any Amazon Gift Items That Are Non-returnable?

Although Amazon is extremely generous with its Christmas return policy, you may want to check that the gift you’re looking to return doesn’t fall under the list of items that Amazon will not accept for returns – gift or no gift. Included in this list of items are:

Amazon Appstore, Amazon Digital Music Store, and Amazon Video purchases
Any product containing hazardous materials like gases or flammable liquids
Pet food
Theme park tickets
Downloadable software
Prepaid phone, game, or gift cards
Some personal and health care products
Products with shipping restrictions
Open software and video games
Some jewelry
Online subscriptions that have already been accessed
Products without a UPC or serial number
Live insects or plants
Grocery products or Amazon Fresh items

If you are unsure whether or not your Amazon gift falls under any of these categories, try to go through the return process.

If it is unable to be returned, the return system should be able to notify you. Alternatively, you can call Amazon’s customer support to ask about the eligibility of your gift for a return.

Do I Need a Gift Receipt to Return a Christmas Gift to Amazon?

If you have misplaced, thrown away, or deleted the packing slip that came with your gift or the emailed gift receipt, there is still a way to look up your order to process your return.

If you still have the Amazon box that the gift came in, an Amazon associate can look up the item using the tracking number from the box.

If you don’t have that either, contact the gift giver. He or she can either send you the order number or process the return themselves.

Even if they have deleted order confirmation emails, the information will still be saved on their Amazon account under their past orders.

While it is impossible to process an Amazon return without an order number or other identifying information, it is also virtually impossible to completely remove access to that information.

Conclusion

Amazon has a generous Christmas return policy which states that any item bought between the beginning of October and the end of December has until the end of January to be returned.

Amazon has multiple ways for you to return your unwanted gifts including shipping them back or dropping them off at designated return locations.

All Amazon returns must be initiated online with the order number or tracking ID information. Be aware that some gifts cannot be returned so double check before you attempt to make a return.

References

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/