15 Things To Know About the Costco Return Policy [2026]: What You Can Return and When

Of the many things to love about Costco, the wholesaler's almost suspiciously generous return policy is up there. Not quite as up there as the food court hot dog, but pretty close.

The good thing is, the Costco return policy pretty much as good as it sounds. 

Even so, whether you're a dyed-in-the-wool Costco loyalist who went a little overboard on your last run, or you got a less-than-useful holiday gift purchased from the retailer, it's important to understand what can and can't be returned (and when) under the Costco return policy.

Costco advertises its return policy as risk-free with a 100% satisfaction guarantee for both memberships and purchased items.

If you're dissatisfied with your membership, you can terminate it anytime. The same goes if you're not pleased with a particular item, but only if it doesn't fall under one of the policy's exceptions, which we'll get into below.

You will receive the entirety of your purchase price upon return. You may not necessarily need the original packaging or receipt, either.

Costco does have a limited return window for electronics (more on that coming up), but for the most part, there's no limit on when you can return an item that leaves you dissatisfied. 

Regardless of how long it's been, Costco will more than likely accept your return, though it may be up to the discretion of their member services team.

Electronics are one exception to the no-time-limit policy. Electronics must be taken back within 90 days of receiving the merchandise in question. After that, though, Costco offers free technical support and warranty plans that could offer support if you face any issues.

Items considered electronics under Costco's return policy include televisions, computers, tablets, cameras, smart watches, phones, projectors, major appliances, and more.

Apple products — including iPads, MacBooks, iPhones, and Apple Watches — can be purchased at Costco, but you'll need to take one extra step if you want to return them.

Like other electronics, Apple products have a 90-day return window (which is a solid perk of Costco Apple purchases). But before you can return an Apple item purchased at Costco, you'll need to perform a full factory reset on the item and take it back unlocked.

Impulse buying delicious-looking snacks or bulk purchasing a ton of food because it's on sale is one of the core Costco experiences. 

However, if you get home and realize you have more than you need or try something and don't like it, they'll take it back.

That's right, food falls under the retailer's generous return policy, even once it's been opened. They won't accept expired foods, though.

Items like cigarettes and alcohol can't be returned, even if they're unopened. At least not at every Costco.

Different laws regulate the purchase and distribution of wine, beer, spirits, and tobacco in each state, so it's a good idea to check with your local Costco about their specific policy.

If you've purchased something like a tire or car battery at your local Costco, you may receive a limited warranty on the item with your purchase. This warranty will have some limitations, though.

For instance, through Costco's Road Hazard Warranty, tires purchased through the wholesaler are covered by a five-year warranty on routine damage. 

The conditions of this warranty require the owner to keep up with regular tire maintenance and hold on to their original purchase receipt.

There's truly nothing you can't find at Costco, precious jewelry and diamonds included. Even these items fall under the store's lenient return policy. 

However, if you are returning a diamond larger than one carat, there are a few extra steps involved.

You'll need to bring the stone's paperwork and certification — either IGI or GIA will work. After that, it could take as long as 48 hours to get it authenticated, at which time you'll get a Jewelry Credit Memo.

Merchandise from Costco's Special Order Kiosk, or from their Custom Installed Program, cannot be returned under any circumstances. They also won't offer refunds for customized products and items.

However, if the item doesn't match what you ordered, you can get it repaired or replaced under the terms of its warranty.

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Costco members can purchase travel packages through Costco Travel, but they are only partially refundable. No-shows or unused airline tickets, hotel reservations, and so on are always non-refundable.

If you cancel a package trip, you will also have to pay supplier fees, and the airlines and hotels included in the package may not offer you a refund.

A good rule of thumb is to ask about refunds and cancellations before booking any travel arrangements or vacation packages through Costco.

Costco members can also purchase tickets to sports games, concerts, and live events through the store's website, which tends to be cheaper than other ticketing services.

However, keep in mind that there are absolutely no exchanges or returns for live performance tickets — they are entirely non-refundable.

Aside from what can and cannot be returned, it's important to know how you must return certain items as well. For example, if you purchase an item from a Costco warehouse in person, you will have to return it in person.

Luckily, there are no stipulations when it comes to the store itself. You could buy an item out of state, for instance, and return it to your local store.

Luckily, you can return online items online or in person.

To return it online, you'll need to log into your account and find the order in question, then the item you want to return. Select the "Return and Replace Items" option, and you'll either schedule a pickup or receive a label for shipping.

While receipts can definitely speed up the return process, Costco doesn't always require you to show one at the time of return. Bringing the item in its original packaging is also not always necessary.

If you skip out on the receipt, make sure you know roughly when and where you bought the item so someone from their team can look up your order more easily.

If you purchased a larger item (like a couch) from Costco, your purchase might be delivered by freight. As long as the item is eligible for return, it will be picked up in the same manner it was delivered — either curbside, threshold, or white glove.

Know that it will take five to seven business days for someone to contact you to schedule a pick-up. Once it's picked up, you'll receive your refund.

Costco is a great store to shop at if you have a large family, prefer to stock up on supplies in bulk, or just love to save on groceries. 

But with how much is available, you'll likely find yourself having to return an item at some point. Luckily, the store has a generous return policy, with only a handful of conditions for specific items like jewelry and electronics. 

Before making your final decision on an item, though, be sure to double-check their return policy. You might learn something.