How long do I have to return something on Amazon?

Most items can be returned within 30 days of delivery. Some categories have a shorter or longer window. Check the product page or Your Orders for that item’s return-by date.

When can I use the A-to-z Guarantee?

When a third-party seller sold and fulfilled the item, the last delivery date is 90 days or less, and the seller has not resolved a delivery, condition, return, or refund problem. Contact the seller first in most cases.

How long does an Amazon refund take?

Amazon says it can take up to 30 days to receive and process a returned item, then your bank needs extra time. A-to-z reviews are usually up to one week.

Should I dispute the charge with my card while Amazon reviews it?

Not if you want A-to-z. Amazon says a payment-provider refund or chargeback makes you ineligible for the guarantee. Finish Amazon’s process first, then use the card only if that process is closed and unresolved.

Amazon refund guide

How to get an Amazon refund, including A-to-z Guarantee claims

Return first. A-to-z if the seller stalls.

Updated October 30, 2026 · General information, not legal advice

Key facts

Amazon returns: Most items can be returned within 30 days of delivery, in original or unused condition. Check Your Orders for the item’s own window.
A-to-z window: For Marketplace sellers: last possible delivery date 90 days or less, and you usually must have contacted the seller first.
Contact the seller first: For non-delivery, wait until 3 days after the latest delivery date (or a delivery scan), then wait 48 hours after you contacted the seller.
Review time: Amazon says A-to-z requests and appeals can take up to one week. Appeals are due within 30 calendar days of a denial.

Copy a letter Open workspace

01
Start in Your Orders
Open the order. If the item is eligible, choose Return items and follow the label or drop-off options. Note the return-by date in the confirmation.
02
If a Marketplace seller will not resolve it
Choose Problem with order, pick the issue, then Request refund. That is the A-to-z claim. Write the dates you contacted the seller and what they replied, or that they did not reply.
03
If Amazon denies A-to-z, appeal once
You have 30 calendar days. Open Problem with order, choose Appeal decision, and add the missing proof: tracking, photos, and the seller messages. One clear timeline beats a long complaint.

Letter generator

Amazon refund messages: fill in your details and copy

Paste the first into the A-to-z comment box. Use the second for an appeal, and the third only after Amazon has closed the claim.

01A-to-z Guarantee request

Order [order number] from [merchant] on [purchase date] for [amount]. Last estimated delivery date: [date].

[What went wrong in one sentence]. I contacted the seller on [date of first message] and the issue was not resolved. Please refund this order under the A-to-z Guarantee.

02Appeal a denied A-to-z claim

I am appealing the A-to-z decision on order [order number] ([amount], [purchase date]).

The denial does not match the record: [what went wrong in one sentence]. Attached are the tracking history, photos, and my messages to the seller with dates. Please review the claim again.

03Card issuer dispute summary

I am disputing a charge of [amount] from Amazon on [charge date] for order [order number].

[What went wrong in one sentence]. I requested a return or A-to-z refund and it was not resolved. Copies of the Amazon claim and the seller messages are attached.

I request reversal of this charge.

Need the letter tailored to your exact timeline, plus an escalation message and a bank dispute summary? Build the full package in the workspace.

How this works

Who fulfilled the order decides the path. Items sold and shipped by Amazon usually go through Your Orders and a 30-day return window. Items sold and fulfilled by a third-party seller can go to the seller first, then to Amazon’s A-to-z Guarantee if the seller does not resolve it. Do not open a card dispute while an A-to-z claim is open: Amazon says that makes you ineligible for the guarantee.

Amazon, the seller, A-to-z, or your card

Use one path at a time. Mixing a card dispute with A-to-z can close the Amazon option.

Sold and shipped by Amazon, or Prime-eligible Marketplace: start a return in Your Orders.
Sold and fulfilled by a third-party seller, not delivered or not as described: contact the seller, wait 48 hours, then file A-to-z.
You returned the item and the seller has not refunded after 7 days from delivery of the return: file A-to-z.
A-to-z denied and you still have new proof: appeal within 30 days.
Amazon closed the claim and the facts still match a billing error: then write to your card issuer.

Before you send, and when to escalate

Before you send

Check who sold and who fulfilled the item before you write.
Do not file a card dispute while an A-to-z claim is open.
Keep the 48-hour seller contact wait if the problem is non-delivery.
Appeal within 30 calendar days of a denial, with new dates or documents.

Escalate when

The seller ignored a return or a missing package after 48 hours.
Amazon denied A-to-z and you have tracking or photos that were not reviewed.
A return was delivered to the seller and no refund posted after 7 days.

Common questions

How long do I have to return something on Amazon?: Most items can be returned within 30 days of delivery. Some categories have a shorter or longer window. Check the product page or Your Orders for that item’s return-by date.
When can I use the A-to-z Guarantee?: When a third-party seller sold and fulfilled the item, the last delivery date is 90 days or less, and the seller has not resolved a delivery, condition, return, or refund problem. Contact the seller first in most cases.
How long does an Amazon refund take?: Amazon says it can take up to 30 days to receive and process a returned item, then your bank needs extra time. A-to-z reviews are usually up to one week.
Should I dispute the charge with my card while Amazon reviews it?: Not if you want A-to-z. Amazon says a payment-provider refund or chargeback makes you ineligible for the guarantee. Finish Amazon’s process first, then use the card only if that process is closed and unresolved.

Sources

Rules change. Check the current official text before relying on a deadline.