Is this refund and return policy generator free?

Yes. The generator is 100% free, with no sign-up and no watermark. You can create as many policies as you like and use them on any website.

What is the difference between a refund policy and a return policy?

A return policy covers sending products back: the time limit, item condition and shipping costs. A refund policy covers the money: how much is refunded, how and how fast. Most stores combine both into one Refund and Return Policy page, which is what this generator creates.

Can I use this return policy template for Shopify, Etsy or WooCommerce?

Yes. Copy the plain text into Shopify Settings > Policies, or paste the HTML version into a page on WooCommerce, WordPress, Wix, Squarespace or any custom site.

What is a good return window?

Thirty days is the most common return window for online stores. Fourteen days is the legal minimum cancellation period for online sales in the EU and UK. Longer windows such as 60 or 90 days lower the risk of buying for customers.

Who should pay for return shipping?

It is your choice. Many stores ask customers to pay for returns when they change their mind and pay for returns themselves when an item is damaged, defective or wrong. The generator lets you pick customer pays, free returns, or free returns only for faulty items.

Can I charge a restocking fee?

In the US you generally can, as long as the fee is stated clearly in your policy before purchase. In the EU and UK you cannot charge a fee for using the 14-day right of withdrawal, although you can deduct an amount if the customer handled the item more than needed to check it.

Can I have a no-refund policy?

You can choose "No returns (all sales final)" in the generator. Even with a no-refund policy, you must still deal with damaged or defective items, and local consumer laws may give customers rights you cannot remove.

Is the generated policy legal advice?

No. The generator gives you a professionally worded starting point, but it is not legal advice. Laws differ by country and industry, so review the policy and talk to a lawyer if you have specific legal requirements.

Free Return and Refund Policy Generator

Refund policy vs return policy: what is the difference?

A return policy explains whether customers can send a product back, how long they have, what condition it must be in and who pays for shipping. A refund policy explains what customers get back and how: the full price or part of it, to the original card or as store credit, and how long it takes.

Most online stores publish both in one page called a "Refund and Return Policy" or "Returns Policy", because customers look for both answers at the same time. A business that sells only digital products, software or services usually needs just a refund policy, since nothing physical is sent back.

Do I need a refund policy?

Yes, in most cases. Payment providers such as Stripe and PayPal, marketplaces, and ad platforms like Google Merchant Center and Meta expect stores to publish a clear return policy. Many countries also give shoppers legal rights to return goods bought online, so a written policy helps you explain how you follow those rules and reduces disputes, chargebacks and support emails.

What a return policy must include

The return window, and when it starts (order date or delivery date)
Which items can be returned and which cannot, such as gift cards, perishable goods or custom items
The condition items must be in: unused, in original packaging, with tags
How to start a return: who to contact and what information to send
Who pays for return shipping, and whether original shipping is refunded
Whether you offer exchanges
Any restocking fee, stated as a percentage

What a refund policy must include

How refunds are paid: original payment method, store credit or the customer's choice
How long refunds take to process and to show on a bank statement
Whether partial refunds apply to used, damaged or late returns
How damaged, defective or wrong items are handled
Rules for digital products, services and subscriptions
What to do about late or missing refunds
How customers can contact you

Sample refund and return policy

Here is a short example for a small online store. Use the generator above to build a complete version that matches your own rules.

Refund & Return Policy

Returns

You can return most items within 30 days of delivery. Items must be unused, in their original packaging and sent with proof of purchase. Gift cards, personalized items and sale items cannot be returned.

How to return an item

Email [email protected] with your order number and the reason for the return. We will send you the return address. You pay for return shipping unless the item arrived damaged or was not what you ordered.

Refunds

Once we receive and inspect your return, we will email you to confirm your refund. Approved refunds go back to your original payment method within 5-10 business days. Original shipping charges are not refunded.

Damaged or wrong items

If your order arrives damaged or incorrect, contact us within 7 days of delivery with photos and we will send a replacement or a full refund at no cost to you.

Refund policy examples for different businesses

Shopify and ecommerce stores

Physical products need the full set of rules: return window, item condition, non-returnable items, return shipping, restocking fees and exchanges. Shopify shows your policy at checkout and in the store footer once you paste it under Settings, Policies. If you sell on Google Shopping, Merchant Center also asks for your return window and return cost.

Digital products and SaaS

Downloads, templates, courses and software cannot be "returned", so the policy usually says purchases are non-refundable once accessed, with exceptions for faulty files or billing errors. SaaS and subscription businesses should explain how to cancel, when cancellation takes effect, and whether partial months or unused time are refunded. Some offer a money-back period, such as 14 or 30 days, to reduce the risk of trying the product.

Services and bookings

For consultations, appointments, events or freelance work, the key rules are the cancellation notice period (for example, 24 or 48 hours), what happens to deposits, how missed appointments are treated, and whether work already completed can be refunded.

No-refund policy (all sales final)

Some businesses, such as those selling custom-made or perishable goods, choose not to accept returns. A no-refund policy should still say how you handle items that arrive damaged, defective or wrong, and it cannot remove rights customers have under consumer law. Choose "No returns (all sales final)" in the generator to create one.

Refund and return laws in plain language

European Union and UK: 14-day right of withdrawal

Consumers who buy online from a business in the EU, or from a business selling to EU customers, can cancel within 14 days of receiving the goods without giving a reason. The seller must refund the payment, including standard delivery costs, within 14 days of being told of the cancellation, but may wait until the goods are returned. The seller can make the customer pay return shipping only if the policy says so in advance. If you do not tell customers about this right, the cancellation period can be extended by up to 12 months. The UK has very similar rules under the Consumer Contracts Regulations. For digital content, the right ends once the download or streaming starts, but only if the customer agreed to immediate access and acknowledged losing the right.

United States: no federal refund law

There is no federal law that requires US businesses to accept returns or give refunds. Instead, your published policy becomes part of the deal with the customer, so it matters that it is clear and shown before purchase. Some states have their own rules: for example, California and New York require retailers that do not give full refunds to post their refund policy clearly, and customers may be able to return items if no policy is posted. Card networks also let customers dispute charges through chargebacks, and a clearly disclosed return policy is one of the main pieces of evidence merchants use to win those disputes.

Other countries

Many countries have consumer guarantees that cannot be removed by a store policy. In Australia, for example, customers are entitled to a refund or replacement for goods with a major fault, and signs saying "no refunds" are not allowed. Check the rules in each country you sell to.

Not legal advice

This page and the generator give you a practical starting point, not legal advice. Laws change and depend on where you and your customers are, so review your policy and speak to a lawyer if you are unsure.

Where should I put my refund policy?

Publish it as its own page (for example, /refund-policy or /returns) and link to it from your footer, product pages, cart and checkout. On Shopify you can paste it under Settings, Policies. On WooCommerce or WordPress, create a new page and paste the HTML version.

Other free policy tools

Privacy Policy Generator: required as soon as your store collects names, emails or payment details
Terms and Conditions Generator: the rules for using your website, placing orders and paying
Shipping Policy Generator: processing times, shipping rates and delivery areas for the same store
ChatMox: an AI chatbot for your website that can answer questions like "Can I return this?" using your own policy

Free Return and Refund Policy Generator

1 Your business

2 What you sell

3 Returns

4 Refunds

Refund & Return Policy

Returns

Return Eligibility

Non-Returnable Items

How to Start a Return

Return Shipping

Exchanges

Damaged, Defective or Incorrect Items

Refunds

Late or Missing Refunds

Changes to This Policy

Contact Us

How to create your refund & return policy in 3 steps

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Pick your return rules

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