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Last updated: September 29, 2026. We’ll update this page as stores announce their 2026 holiday return rules.
A great Black Friday deal isn’t so great if you’re stuck with a gift nobody wants. Most big stores stretch their return windows over the holidays, so gifts bought in November and December can be returned in January. But the dates and exceptions are different at every store, and some popular items, like phones and Apple products, often get less time, not more.
Important: 2026 Policies Aren’t Out Yet
As of September 29, 2026, the major stores haven’t announced their holiday return rules for this year. They usually do that in October or November. Until then, last year’s rules are the best guide to what to expect. They’re below, and we’ll update this page as the 2026 rules come out.
Last Year’s Holiday Return Policies, Store by Store
| Store | Bought between (2025) | Return by (2026) | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Nov. 1 – Dec. 31 | Jan. 31 | Apple products: Jan. 15. Third-party sellers may differ. |
| Walmart | Oct. 1 – Dec. 31 | Jan. 31 | Marketplace (third-party) sellers not included. Some electronics and phones have shorter windows. |
| Target | Nov. 1 – Dec. 24 | Jan. 24 | Apple and Beats: Jan. 8. Other items follow the regular 90-day policy. |
| Best Buy | Oct. 31 – Dec. 31 | Jan. 15 | Phones, cellular tablets, hotspots and AppleCare+ plans excluded. Restocking fees may apply. |
| Apple | Nov. 12 – Dec. 25 | Jan. 8 | Most carrier-financed iPhones excluded. |
| Macy’s | Oct. 6 – Dec. 31 | Jan. 31 | Online returns had a $9.99 fee unless you’re a Star Rewards member. |
| Kohl’s | Oct. 5 – Oct. 31 only | Jan. 31 | Purchases after Oct. 31 follow the regular policy. |
| Costco | No special holiday window | Varies | TVs, computers, phones, smartwatches and major appliances: 90 days. |
Last year’s holiday policies (2025 season). We’ll update this table when stores announce their 2026 rules.
What This Means for Your Shopping
- Amazon’s holiday window started November 1 last year. If the same happens in 2026, things bought during Prime Big Deal Days (October 6 and 7, now ended) would follow Amazon’s regular return window, which is usually 30 days. Black Friday purchases would get the longer holiday window.
- Apple products get the least time. At Amazon, Target and Apple itself, Apple products had earlier deadlines (January 8 or 15) than most other items.
- Phones and cellular devices are usually excluded. Best Buy and Walmart kept shorter windows for phones and some electronics. Check before you buy one as a gift.
- Third-party sellers play by their own rules. On Amazon and Walmart, items sold by outside sellers can have different, sometimes shorter, return windows. The seller’s name is shown on the product page, near the Buy button.
- Costco has no holiday extension, but its regular policy is already generous for most items. Electronics and major appliances have a 90-day limit.
Six Habits That Make Holiday Returns Easy
- Ask for a gift receipt (or choose “This is a gift” online). The person you give it to can return or exchange it without seeing the price.
- Keep the box and everything in it until after the holidays, especially for electronics. Some stores charge a fee or refuse returns with missing parts.
- Write down the return deadline on your calendar for anything expensive.
- Buy big-ticket items from the store itself, not a third-party seller, when the price is the same.
- Test electronics soon after they arrive, even if they’re gifts, so you have time to return a dud.
- Watch for price drops after you buy. A free price tracker can tell you if the price falls. If it does while you can still return it, you can sometimes return it and buy it again at the lower price. Check the store’s policy first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the holiday return window cover Black Friday purchases?
Last year, yes, at every store in our table except Kohl’s, whose extended window only covered October purchases. Expect similar rules in 2026, but check each store’s page once the new rules are out.
Can someone return a gift without my receipt?
Usually, yes, with a gift receipt. At Amazon, the person can start a return using the order number on the packing slip or digital gift receipt, and they won’t need your account.
Do I get cash back for a returned gift?
Returns with a gift receipt usually come back as store credit or a gift card, not cash. The original buyer typically gets the refund on their own card.
When is the best time to buy, so returns are easiest?
Buying after the holiday windows start (November 1 at Amazon and Target last year) gives the longest return time. See Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: what to buy on each day and our Black Friday watch list.
The Bottom Line
Most big stores give you until mid- or late January to return holiday gifts, but Apple products, phones and third-party sellers are common exceptions. Get a gift receipt, keep the box and note the deadline. We’ll update this page as soon as the 2026 policies are announced.
For every holiday date and guide in one place, visit our Holiday Shopping Center.
Sources: Amazon, Best Buy, MacRumors (Apple), Newsweek (Walmart) and Money (Target, Macy’s, Kohl’s, Costco).