Costco Gift Return Policy Explained (Members & Non-Members)

Costco accepts gift returns from members and non-members. To make a return, you will need either the original receipt or the membership number of the person who made the purchase. Most gifts can be returned at any time, although there are certain exceptions — such as electronics and appliances — which must be returned within 90 days of purchase. Gift returns are usually refunded onto a Costco cash card, which can be used by both members and non-members. For more details on the Costco gift return policy, see below.

Costco Gift Return Policy Explained

Costco Wholesale has a lenient return policy for its members which allows returns for most items with or without a receipt. If you are a Costco member who received Costco items — like clothing — as a gift, you can return them to any Costco location. Likewise, non-members may also return items that they received as a gift, representatives from Costco’s corporate customer service and Costco locations in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, and New York told us.

Each of the Costco corporate associates we spoke with said that members and non-members may return gifts to Costco. A receipt is not necessary. However, if you do not have a receipt, you will need the membership number of the person who purchased the gift for you. You cannot make a return without either the receipt or the membership number.

Customer service representatives from 100% of the Costco stores we called said that they accept returns from members and non-members. They confirmed that a receipt is not necessary, but you will need the membership number if you don’t have a receipt. One location we spoke with said that they could look up the membership number by phone number; however, the other three stores said that they could not look up the membership number. You will have to ask the member for it prior to returning your gift to Costco. Contact your nearest Costco to find out what options your local store has for looking up membership numbers.

How to Make Gift Returns at Costco

If you need to make a return to Costco, bring your items, all packaging, and all other information to the Costco customer service desk. Most items do not have a specific time frame in which they must be returned. However, certain items, such as electronics and appliances, must be returned within 90 days of purchase per Costco’s return policy. Costco will process your return once you have provided either the original receipt or the membership number of the person who made the purchase.

Store locations have discretion when it comes to refunding gift purchases, corporate customer service representatives said. All of the locations we spoke with said they refund gift purchases onto a cash card, which acts as a Costco gift card. Both members and non-members can use the cash card. For non-members, the cash card serves as a temporary membership card and will allow you to complete your purchase. The cash card cannot be used to shop at Costco.com; it must be used in Costco stores. If you purchase something that costs more than the cash card amount, you will just pay the difference with cash or a credit card.

In Summary

Gifts purchased at Costco can be returned by members and non-members. An original receipt or the membership number of the person who made the purchase is required in order to process a return. Store locations have discretion when it comes to refunding gift orders; they may pay cash, or they may offer a Costco cash card. A Costco cash card can be used in Costco stores by members and non-members.

If you’re a Costco member and frequent shopper, you might also be interested in our articles about Costco’s tire return policy and Costco’s mattress return policy.