Walmart Return Policy Explained in Detail (Now You’ll Know For Sure)

Walmart Return Policy

Walmart’s general return policy allows for the return or exchange of most in-store and Walmart.com purchases within 90 days, with or without a receipt.^[1] This includes clearance items and open-box returns, as long as the products do not belong to any of the excluded categories (which we list below). For in-store and online returns, you do need to have the item’s original packaging and accessories.^[1] The barcode on the packaging allows Walmart store associates to confirm that you purchased the item from Walmart. Keep in mind, however, that store managers have the final say on all returns, exchanges, and refunds. You can contact your local Walmart or call customer service at (800) 925-6278 to see if you can still make a return if you’ve lost the original box.

We reviewed the official corporate and Walmart.com return policies online, contacted Walmart’s corporate customer service department, and called several Walmart stores to confirm the policy details listed below.

Walmart Returns After 90 Days

To request a return after the standard 90 days, you’ll need to show a photo ID. If a Walmart store manager approves your return, your refund will likely be issued in the form of store credit. For more details, see our research on Walmart returns after 90 days.

Walmart Return Policy Exceptions

While most items — including car batteries, car seats, clothing, diapers, beauty products, ink cartridges, non-perishable foods, paint, shoes, and sporting goods like tents — fall under Walmart’s 90-day return window, there are a few exceptions. Some product categories have shorter return periods and/or require the original receipt.

Items With Different Return and Exchange Windows

The following products are eligible for a return, refund, or exchange at Walmart, but have varying return periods:^[2]

• Within 14 Days:
  • Pre-paid cell phones
• Within 30 Days:
  • 3D printers and 3D printing supplies
  • Activity trackers
  • Air conditioners
  • Audio Systems
  • Camcorders
  • Computers (See the details of Walmart’s laptop return policy)
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Digital cameras
  • Digital music players
  • Drones
  • Electric scooters
  • Evaporative coolers
  • Generators
  • GPS devices
  • Hardware
  • Hoverboards
  • Portable video players
  • Postpaid contract cell phones (Note: You must return the phone to the same store location where you bought it.)
  • Pressure washers
  • Printers (See the details of printer returns at Walmart)
  • Smartwatches
  • Tablets and e-readers
  • Video game hardware (See the details of PS4 and Xbox returns at Walmart)
• Within 60 Days:
  • Prescription eyeglasses
• Within One Year:
  • Plants (including annuals, perennials, bulbs, shrubs, foliage, and trees)

Walmart’s Holiday Extended Return Policy

Walmart has an extended return policy during the holiday season. If you purchase an item as a gift that typically has a short return window (e.g., cameras, computers, drones, video game systems, etc.) between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, the return window will begin on Dec. 26 rather than the date of purchase.^[2]

Items That Require a Receipt for Return or Exchange

Walmart will not accept returns or offer refunds for the following items unless you have the original receipt:^[2]

• Air conditioners
• Air mattresses (See the details of Walmart’s air mattress return policy)
• Audio tapes
• Blu-rays
• CDs
• Chainsaws
• Compressors
• Dehumidifiers
• Deli goods
• DVDs
• Evaporative coolers
• Fresh produce
• Generators
• Hedge trimmers
• Lawnmowers
• Line trimmers
• Meat
• Plants
• Prepaid and postpaid cell phones (See the details of Walmart’s cell phone return policy)
• Pressure washers
• Video games/video game software
• Videotapes
• SNAP and WIC eligible items (Find more information on Walmart food returns)

Items That Must Be Unopened and Unused for Return

The following items are returnable within 90 days but cannot be opened, used, or marked (unless defective):^[2]

• Air mattresses
• Audiotapes
• Books
• Blu-rays
• CDs
• DVDs (See our research on Walmart DVD returns)
• Mattresses
• Video games
• Videotapes
• Tires (Find out more about tire returns and warranties at Walmart)

Final Sale Items

The following products are final sale and are not eligible for returns, refunds, or exchanges unless they are defective:^[2]

• Ammunition
• ATVs
• BB guns and air guns
• Dirt bikes
• Downloadable or e-delivery software
• Firearms
• Funeral products
• Gas-powered mini bikes
• Gift cards (except where required by law)
• Go-karts
• Minutes or PINs for prepaid cell phones
• Pepper spray
• UTVs
• Video game download cards
• Video on Demand

Pharmacy Returns

Some items sold in the pharmacy section/health, such as personal care and bath products, fall under Walmart’s general 90-day return policy. However, you cannot return prescription drugs or products containing pseudoephedrine and pseudotropine.^[2] Diabetic products — including meters, strips, lancets, and syringes — are also final sale and not returnable. If a non-returnable pharmacy product is defective, you must contact the manufacturer or your local Walmart store’s pharmacist for assistance.

Refunds at Walmart

If you have the receipt and are still within the item’s return period, Walmart will issue a refund to the original form of payment: cash, credit card, or debit card. If you originally paid with a check, you can receive a cash refund.^[1]

Without a receipt, Walmart’s computerized refund verification process will need to approve the return. You must have the original packaging to make a non-receipted return. Non-receipted returns that pass verification are eligible for a cash refund if the item is valued at less than $25 or store credit if the item is worth $25 or more. Walmart may deny returns worth $50 or more if you do not have your receipt.^[1]

WIC and SNAP Refunds

The following rules apply to purchases made using WIC or SNAP benefits:^[2]

• WIC purchases are only eligible for exchange; refunds are only allowed if you have a documented exception from the WIC agency.
• SNAP purchases are eligible for exchange or a refund to your EBT card. Walmart will not issue a cash refund or store credit, even if you have your receipt.

How to Return Items at Walmart

While Walmart’s general return policy applies to both online and in-store purchases, the return process varies depending on where you originally purchased the item and which return option you choose. We have the details of the in-store, online, and Walmart.com Marketplace return processes below.

In-Store Walmart Returns

You can return most Walmart purchases to any Walmart store any time the customer service desk is open. (Postpaid/contract cell phones must be returned to the same store location where you made the purchase, as noted above.)

To make a return, bring your item(s) to the customer service desk along with all original packaging and accessories — these items are required. You should also bring the receipt if you have it — though a receipt is not required. Returns without a receipt are subject to Walmart’s refund verification process. If you do not have the receipt, be sure to bring a government-issued photo ID, such as your driver’s license.

Walmart.com Return Options

Walmart.com purchases are generally returnable in stores or by mail. The following items are exceptions:^[2]

• Not eligible for return by mail:
  • Items containing hazardous materials (labeled ORM-D)
• Only eligible for return by mail:
  • Jewelry and watches priced at $300 or higher
• Require assistance from customer service at (800) 966-6546 to arrange a return:
  • Photo prints

If your item is not eligible for one or more return methods, the option(s) will not appear when you start the return process by logging in to your online account; Walmart.com will only show the options that are available for your particular item. See more in our dedicated research on Walmart’s online return policy.

Walmart.com Return Process In Stores

If your online item is eligible for an in-store return, bring it to the customer service desk at your local Walmart. If you have the packing slip, bring it. If not, a store associate should be able to look up your online order.

For faster service, you can start your return in the Walmart app.^[1] Under the “Services” tab, click “Start a Return,” then scan your packing slip and follow the on-screen prompts. When you visit the store, join the Express lane at the customer service desk. The app will create a QR code, which you can scan at the desk to complete your return.

Walmart.com Return Process by Mail

Log in to your Walmart.com account to view your order history. Select “Return by Mail” and print a free return shipping label. You need to include all original packaging and accessories in your shipment, then you can drop it off at USPS or FedEx. Walmart will process your return within two to three weeks.^[1]

When you start a return, you’ll need to choose the reason for return and whether you would like a refund or replacement. If you opt for a replacement, Walmart will send the new item to the “ship to” address listed in the original order.

Walmart.com Return Shipping Costs

Walmart will provide a free return shipping label for more items. If you are returning multiple items from the same order, you can select all of the items online and package them in the same box with one shipping label. Multiple items from separate orders will need to be returned in separate packages with separate (free) shipping labels.

Oversized items like furniture will require freight shipping, which you can arrange by contacting customer service at (800) 966-6546. Walmart charges return shipping for oversized items on a case-by-case basis; you will be informed of any applicable fees when you call to arrange return freight shipping.

Walmart.com Marketplace Returns

Purchases from third-party retailers in the Walmart.com Marketplace are subject to return policies set by the Marketplace seller. For example, Wayfair items sold at Walmart.com fall under Wayfair’s return policy.

Some Marketplace items are eligible for drop-off at a Walmart store. To view your return options for a Marketplace order, log in to your Walmart.com account or contact customer service for assistance.^[3]

Walmart Gift Returns

Gifts from Walmart, whether originally purchased from a store or Walmart.com, are returnable at a customer service desk within 90 days. You can choose to replace the item with an identical item if it is defective.^[4]

Walmart usually requires a gift receipt or the packing slip for gift returns; however, for online orders, Walmart can look up the receipt using the sender’s email address.^[4]

Gifts from a Walmart.com gift registry are returnable by mail. To complete a return, view your registry online, filter for “Purchased” items, and print a free return shipping label. You can also visit a customer service desk at your local Walmart to make a return; bring the order confirmation number found in your registry profile.^[4]

For gift or registry returns, be sure to include all of the item’s original packaging and accessories — these items are required. If you have the receipt or packing slip, you can choose to receive your refund as store credit or cash. With no proof of purchase, you will receive store credit.^[4]