Here are the shipping and return policies for all the big-name retailers
As the holiday season approaches, shoppers are gearing up to find the perfect gifts for their loved ones. With the increasing demands of online shopping, especially during this busy time, many retailers are stepping up with attractive shipping and return policies. To help ease the stress of holiday shopping, a comprehensive guide has been compiled detailing the shipping and return policies of major retailers, including Amazon, Apple, Target, and Walmart. This information is invaluable for consumers who want to ensure their gifts arrive on time and can be returned easily if necessary.
Amazon leads the pack with its robust shipping options, offering same-day delivery for Prime members on qualifying orders, although this service is not available on major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. For the holiday season, Amazon has extended its return window, allowing most items purchased between November 1 and December 31 to be returned until January 31, 2026, giving shoppers ample time to make exchanges if needed. Similarly, Target provides free two-day shipping on orders over $35 and an extended return policy for electronics purchased during the holiday window, allowing returns until January 24, 2026. Walmart, while yet to finalize its holiday shipping policy, typically offers free shipping on orders over $35 and a generous return period for items bought between October 1 and December 31, which can be returned until January 31, 2026.
Other retailers also offer competitive policies to attract holiday shoppers. Best Buy provides free next-day shipping for qualifying orders and has extended return periods for its members, while Costco boasts an open return policy for most items, with specific exceptions for electronics. Notably, Sonos offers free shipping on all products, with a 30-day return policy that includes free return shipping, making it a convenient option for those looking to purchase audio equipment. As the holiday shopping season unfolds, consumers can stay informed about these policies, allowing them to shop with confidence and ease, knowing they have flexibility in their purchases and returns. This guide will be continuously updated to reflect any changes in retailer policies as the holidays approach, ensuring shoppers have the most accurate information at their fingertips.
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With the holidays quickly
appro
aching, everyone will soon be on the hunt for gifts and the fastest way to get them. Thankfully, many retailers offer generous shipping policies for their products, with some even providing free two-day shipping or even same-day delivery if you’re willing to pay a little extra. And just in case the gift you choose isn’t quite right, many retailers offer extended return policies so your giftee can get something more to their liking.
For your convenience, we’ve compiled the current shipping and return policies for all the big-name retailers, from Amazon to Walmart. A few of them already have policies in place regarding the holidays, but we’ll be keeping tabs on them and updating our list accordingly. Hopefully, knowing more about how much leeway you have to make a return will help lessen that inevitable holiday angst (fingers crossed).
Amazon
Apple
Target
Walmart
B&H
Best Buy
Costco
GameStop
Dell
DJI
Google
HP
Microsoft
Newegg
Sam’s Club
Sonos
Amazon
Shipping
:
Same-day delivery is not available on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s (it’s also limited on Black Friday). However, Prime members get free same-day delivery on qualifying orders in
qualifying ZIP codes
provided they meet the “minimum qualifying dollar threshold” (
which varies by location)
of eligible items in their cart. One-Day and Two-Day Delivery with no minimum purchase amount required is also available to Prime members for qualifying products. Non-Prime buyers will find shipping options on the order page of each specific product.
Returns
:
As part of its holiday promotional period,
Amazon says
most items purchased between November 1st and December 31st can be returned until January 31st, 2026. Apple products, however, must be returned by January 15th, 2026. Note that this policy applies to both Prime and non-Prime buyers.
Apple
Shipping
:
Apple has yet to provide details on its holiday shipping policy; however, last year, it offered free delivery of in-stock items that hadn’t been engraved by Christmas Eve if you ordered before 9PM ET on December 21st. Apple also offers free next-day or two-hour delivery from local stores in most metro areas for an additional fee, or you can opt to pick up purchases yourself by visiting your local Apple Store.
Returns
:
Purchases made after December 25th are subject to the usual terms and conditions, and must be returned within 14 calendar days of your initial purchase date.
Target
Shipping
:
Target offers free two-day shipping on many orders if you spend $35 or more or use your Target RedCard. Same-day delivery costs $9.99 per order, but it’s included with a
Target Circle 360
membership ($10.99 a month / $99 a year). Your mileage may vary for same-day delivery availability based on the item and your location.
Returns
:
Target offers an extended return policy for electronics and entertainment items purchased between November 1st and December 24th, allowing you to return them until January 24th, 2026, for a full refund. Mobile phones and Apple products (including Beats products) purchased during the same window must be returned by by January 9, 2026. Target’s standard return policy applies for most other items, with a generous 90-day window for third-party products and up to a year for Target-branded products with a receipt.
Walmart
Shipping
:
Walmart has yet to publish its official holiday shipping policy. Typically, though, Walmart provides free next-day delivery in eligible ZIP codes, free two-day delivery, and free standard shipping for eligible orders of $35 or more. Walmart Plus subscribers also receive free next-day and two-day shipping with no order minimum.
Returns
:
Most items purchased between October 1st and December 31st
may be returned until January 31st, 2026
. Some exceptions, like smartphones, may apply.
B&H
Shipping
:
B&H offers free two-day and next-day shipping on select items. Most other products are eligible for free standard shipping (that’s one to seven business days), and free expedited shipping (one to three business days) is generally available for items over $49.
Returns
:
B&H allows returns within 30 days of the delivery date, provided the items are in new condition and still housed in their original packaging.
Best Buy
Shipping
:
Best Buy is offering free next-day and two-day shipping on qualifying orders for My Best Buy Plus and My Best Buy Total members. Non-members, meanwhile, can get free next-day shipping on qualifying orders totaling $35 or more.
Returns
:
Best Buy offers a 15-day return window for most products, while “activatable” items that come with third-party contracts — such as smartphones and wearables — must be returned within 14 days. My Best Buy Plus and My Best Buy Total members have up to 60 days to make returns, though the 14-day limit still applies to activatable products.
Costco
Shipping
:
At Costco, shipping fees vary depending on the product and shipping method, although shipping is often provided free of charge. The wholesale retailer also offers a variety of delivery options, including “white glove” service for larger appliances. Same-day delivery is also available on some items
via Costco’s partnership with Instacart
.
Returns
:
Costco generally has an open return policy, except for electronics such as TVs and computers, which have a 90-day return window. There are other exceptions, though, which are listed on its return page.
GameStop
Shipping
:
GameStop currently offers free shipping on orders over $35. It also offers
same-day delivery
in certain locations if you order from your local store at least three hours before the store closes.
Returns
:
GameStop hasn’t listed its holiday return policy yet, but products can be returned within 15 days, provided the packages are unopened and you have the receipt. Pro members, meanwhile, get 30 days.
Dell
Shipping
:
Most Dell products come with free standard shipping (no minimum purchase necessary), and some gifts may ship for free in time for Christmas
if you place your order
by December 19th. The delivery window can vary based on your order, but Dell also offers expedited shipping options, as well as a delivery date estimate based on the zip code you provide at checkout. Orders placed by December 23rd with qualifying express delivery windows are expected to arrive before December 25th.
Returns
:
As a part of Dell’s extended return policy, purchases made between November 1st and December 29th can be returned until January 15th, 2026.
DJI
Shipping
:
DJI offers free shipping on purchases of $149 or more. Otherwise, shipping fees are specified on the order form. Shipment times can vary for each product depending on availability.
Returns
:
DJI offers returns within 14 days of receiving the purchase, provided the item remains in like-new condition or suffers from a manufacturing defect.
Shipping
:
All standard orders qualify for free shipping with no minimum. Just note that this applies to the lowest-cost shipping available, which may not be the fastest.
Returns
:
Google hasn’t announced any special holiday return policies yet. For now, all purchases are covered by the standard terms and conditions, which let you return most items within 15 days of receiving them. Nest Thermostats and Verizon contract phones, however, come with an extended 30-day return window.
HP
Shipping
:
For many items, standard shipping is free and will arrive at your door within three to six days. HP also offers expedited and priority shipping options for an additional fee. The company will not ship or deliver items on Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Year’s Day.
Returns
:
You can return most items purchased from HP’s website within 30 days of delivery. There are exceptions, though, and select items may be subject to a restocking fee of up to 15 percent.
Microsoft
Shipping
:
Most products sold through the online Microsoft Store include free two- or three-day shipping, with express shipping available for an additional fee.
Returns
:
You can return most physical products purchased online for free through January 31, 2026, provided they’re in like-new condition. The item must be in its original packaging, with all parts, manuals, and other accessories included. Items exempt from this policy include digital gift cards, gift cards for services and subscriptions, and select hardware, such as the ROG Xbox Ally and HoloLens.
Newegg
Shipping
:
Many of Newegg’s items come with free shipping and are delivered within one to five business days; for details, check the individual product page.
Returns
:
Qualifying items purchased between November 1st and December 31st can be returned or replaced until January 31st, 2026.
Sam’s Club
Shipping
:
According to the Sam’s Club FAQ, the shipping cost for most items varies based on the item’s size, weight, shipping method, and delivery address. Plus Members get free shipping on many online items, and same-day delivery or curbside pickup is available for free if you’re a Plus member ($110 a year) and place a qualifying order totaling $50 or more by 1PM local time. Club members ($50 a year) can pay $12 for same-day or next-day shipping, or get free curbside pickup on orders of $50 or more.
Returns
:
Sam’s Club does not have a specified return period; however, some products may have specific return periods stated. For example, electronics and major appliances have a 90-day return window, while phones are subject to a 14-day return policy.
Sonos
Shipping
:
Sonos offers free shipping on all of its products, with in-stock items typically shipping the same day if they’re purchased by 11AM local time. You can also pay extra for two-day or express shipping.
Returns
:
Sonos offers a 30-day return policy and even provides free return shipping. However, you must have bought the product directly from Sonos, and the return must be initiated within 30 days of receiving your purchase. The product must also include the original packaging and be in new or as-new condition to be eligible.
Update, October 31st:
Updated to reflect shipping deadlines / return policies as they pertain to the 2025 holiday season.
