Here are the shipping and return policies for all the big-name retailers

With the holidays quickly approaching, everyone will soon be on the hunt for gifts and the fastest way to get them. Thankfully, many retailers offer generous shipping policies, with some even providing free two-day shipping or 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 already have holiday policies in place, 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).

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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, 2027. Apple products, however, must be returned by January 15th, 2027. 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: Apple is offering an extended return period for online orders received between November 6th and December 25th, allowing you to return items until January 8th, 2027. Purchases made after December 25th are generally 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 Circle Card. 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, 2027. Mobile phones and Apple products (including Beats products) purchased during the same window must be returned by January 8th, 2027. 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’s holiday shipping policy doesn’t currently mention a deadline for delivery by Christmas, but it does break down the available fulfillment options. 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. Some orders and ZIP codes may also qualify for same-day delivery, if you’re willing to pay an additional fee.

Returns: Most items purchased between October 1st and December 31st may be returned until January 31st, 2027. Some exceptions, like smartphones, may apply.

B&H Photo

Shipping: B&H Photo offers free two-day and next-day shipping on select items. Most other products qualify for free standard shipping (one to seven business days), and free expedited shipping (one to two business days) is generally available for items over $49.

Returns: B&H Photo allows returns within 30 days of the delivery date, provided the items are in new condition and still housed in their original packaging. For the holidays, most items purchased between November 1st and January 1st can be returned until February 1st, 2027.

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. Same-day delivery is also available on select items, seven days a week, and you can check your eligibility by entering your ZIP code in Best Buy’s online portal.

Returns: Best Buy offers a 15-day return window for most products, while “activatable” items like smartphones and wearables, which come with a third-party contract, 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.

For the holidays, Best Buy has an extended return window, which allows most products purchased between October 30th and December 31st to be returned until January 15th, 2027. The exceptions above surrounding activatable devices still apply, and holiday decorations are also limited to 15 days regardless of their purchase date.

Costco 

Shipping: At Costco, shipping fees vary by product and shipping method, although shipping is often free. 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. Other exceptions are listed on its return page.

GameStop 

Shipping: GameStop currently offers free shipping only to GameStop Pro members on orders of $54 or more. 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 you can return products within 15 days, provided the packages are unopened and you have the receipt. Pro members, meanwhile, get 30 days.

Dell 

Shipping: Most Dell products include free standard shipping (no minimum purchase required). The delivery window can vary based on your order, but Dell also offers expedited and express shipping options, along with 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; Dell’s 2026 Holiday Shipping and Delivery Schedule outlines additional shipping times based on which speed you choose.

Returns: Under Dell’s extended return policy, you can return purchases made between November 1st and December 29th until January 15th, 2027.

DJI 

Shipping: DJI offers free shipping on purchases of $200 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.

Google 

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 arrives 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, 2027, as long as 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 Ally X, Surface for Business devices, 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, 2027.

Sam’s Club

Shipping: According to the Sam’s Club FAQ, shipping costs for most items vary 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 ($120 a year) and place a qualifying order totaling $50 or more by 1PM local time. Club members ($60 a year) can pay $12 for same-day or next-day shipping, or get free curbside pickup.

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 products, with in-stock items typically shipping the same day if 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 you must initiate the return 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, November 9th: Updated to reflect shipping deadlines and return policies for the 2026 holiday season.