Returning an order to a foreign Amazon store

First check who the seller is

On an Amazon product page, the seller can be Amazon itself or a third-party seller trading via Amazon. That distinction largely determines how smoothly a return goes, and who you're dealing with.

• Sold and shipped by Amazon: the return follows that store's standard return process.
• Sold by a third-party seller, shipped by Amazon: the return often still goes through Amazon, but the seller's terms may differ.
• Sold and shipped by a third-party seller: you send it back to that seller's address, which can be in a different country.

Check the seller information on the product page before you order. Always check the current terms, availability and total price directly with Amazon before you order.

Return window and the right of withdrawal

For distance purchases within the European Union, a statutory cooling-off period generally applies. Many sellers also offer a more generous return window of their own, which can vary per store and per period; it's sometimes extended around holidays.

The window that applies to your order is stated in the confirmation and in your order overview on Amazon. Don't assume the window you're used to from another store applies.

Who pays for the return shipment?

Return shipping isn't always free, particularly for a cross-border return or a heavy or bulky product. Sometimes you get a free return label, sometimes the cost is deducted from your refund.

• Check in the return process which label is offered and whether any cost is withheld.
• Weigh potential return costs against a small price difference between stores.
• Keep the shipping receipt until the refund shows up.

For weighing up outbound shipping costs, see the guide to shipping costs.

Warranty and repairs across borders

Besides returns within the cooling-off period, there's also warranty cover for defects. Who you contact for that depends on the seller: for a defect, you go back to the party you bought from first, not a store in your own country.

Manufacturer warranty can also differ per country in duration or handling. If a product is at the edge of your budget, allow for a somewhat more involved process than with a local purchase.

How to start a return at a foreign Amazon store

1. Sign in to the same Amazon store where you ordered, for example amazon.de or amazon.fr.
2. Open your order overview and select the return option for that order.
3. State the reason; that often determines whether the return label is free.
4. Print the offered return label or use the drop-off option provided.
5. Pack the item complete with accessories and keep the shipping receipt.

If the refund is issued in another currency, for example Swedish krona at Amazon.se, the refunded euro amount can differ slightly because of your bank's exchange rate. More on that in VAT and customs within Europe.

Checklist before you order

1. Who is the seller, and from which country is it shipped?
2. What return window is stated for this product?
3. Are return costs at your expense?
4. Is it exactly the same version? Check this with the ASIN.
5. Is the price difference big enough to justify a possible return?

Want to see the difference first? Paste a product link or ASIN into the search function. Still deciding which store to use? Read ordering from European Amazon stores.

Frequently asked questions