Best examples of e-commerce return policy disclaimer examples for 2025

Real-world examples of e-commerce return policy disclaimer examples

Let’s skip the theory and get straight into what you came for: concrete wording you can actually use. These are realistic examples of e-commerce return policy disclaimer examples that online stores in the U.S. and internationally are using in 2024–2025. You’ll want to customize names, timeframes, and jurisdictions, but the structure holds up across most industries.

Example of a standard 30-day return policy disclaimer

This is the classic “Amazon-style” return window, but written in a way that protects you from abuse and sets expectations:

Returns & Refunds Disclaimer
We accept returns of most new, unopened items within 30 days of delivery for a refund to your original payment method. Shipping charges are non-refundable unless the return is the result of our error (for example, you received an incorrect or defective item).

To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused, in the original packaging, and include all tags and accessories. Items that show signs of wear, damage, or alteration may be refused or subject to a restocking fee of up to 15%.

This return policy disclaimer applies only to purchases made directly on our website and does not limit any rights you may have under applicable consumer protection laws.

Why this works:

• States the timeframe and condition requirements.
• Clearly says shipping is non-refundable in most cases.
• Limits the policy to the website (important if you also sell via marketplaces or retail partners).
• Acknowledges that local law may grant additional rights.

Example of an e-commerce return disclaimer for final sale and clearance items

If you don’t spell this out, customers will assume everything is returnable.

Final Sale & Clearance Items Disclaimer
Products marked “Final Sale,” “Non-Returnable,” or sold in our Clearance section cannot be returned or exchanged unless they arrive damaged or defective. By completing your purchase of a Final Sale item, you acknowledge and agree that the transaction is final.

This limitation on returns does not affect any statutory rights you may have under consumer protection laws in your jurisdiction.

This style of wording is one of the best examples of a simple, no-return disclaimer: short, direct, and hard to misread.

Digital goods: examples of e-commerce return policy disclaimer examples for downloads and subscriptions

Digital products are a different beast. Many jurisdictions treat them separately, and once a file is downloaded, you can’t “take it back.”

Digital Products & Subscriptions Disclaimer
All sales of digital products, downloadable content, and subscription services are final once access has been granted or a download has started. Because digital items cannot be returned in the same way as physical goods, we do not offer refunds for change of mind, incompatibility with your device, or failure to download where the service is functioning correctly.

If you experience technical issues accessing your digital purchase, please contact us within 7 days of purchase. We may, at our discretion, offer a refund or replacement access code where we can verify that you did not receive the product as described.

Nothing in this digital return policy disclaimer is intended to limit any non-waivable rights under applicable law.

For EU/UK customers, you need to be careful about consumer withdrawal rights for digital content. The European Commission explains when a consumer can lose the right to cancel once digital content is supplied.

Custom, personalized, and made-to-order items: a focused example of limited returns

Custom products are where businesses get burned if they don’t have strong return disclaimers.

Custom & Personalized Orders Disclaimer
Due to their personalized nature, custom, engraved, monogrammed, and made-to-order items are not eligible for return, exchange, or refund unless they arrive damaged or with an error that is our responsibility (for example, incorrect spelling compared to the approved proof).

We require written approval of all design proofs before production. By approving a proof and completing your order, you confirm that all details are correct. We are not responsible for errors that appear in a customer-approved proof.

This custom order return policy disclaimer applies in addition to our general Terms of Service.

This is one of the best examples of e-commerce return policy disclaimer examples for Etsy-style businesses, print-on-demand shops, and any brand doing personalization.

Apparel and hygiene-sensitive products: examples include fit, wear, and sanitary rules

Clothing, cosmetics, and personal care items often need stricter language because of health and safety concerns.

Apparel, Swimwear & Intimates Disclaimer
Apparel items may be returned within 30 days of delivery if they are unworn, unwashed, and in resalable condition with all original tags and hygiene liners attached. For health and safety reasons, we cannot accept returns of worn swimwear, underwear, or items showing deodorant, makeup, fragrance, or other signs of use.

We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to reject returns that do not meet these hygiene and condition standards. Rejected items may be shipped back to you at your expense.

While the CDC and similar agencies don’t write e-commerce rules, their guidance on hygiene and infection control (see CDC infection control basics) is often cited internally when companies set policies for returned personal items.

Cross-border orders: example of a return policy disclaimer for international customers

International returns can destroy margins if you don’t set limits.

International Orders Return Policy Disclaimer
We accept returns on eligible items from outside the United States; however, international customers are responsible for all return shipping costs, customs fees, and import duties, unless the return is due to our error. Original shipping charges are non-refundable.

Delivery times, customs processing, and import regulations vary by country. We are not responsible for delays, refusals, or additional fees imposed by customs authorities. Before placing an order, please confirm that the products you are purchasing may be legally imported into your country.

This international return policy disclaimer is subject to local laws that may grant you additional rights.

This is one of the clearest examples of e-commerce return policy disclaimer examples for brands that ship globally but want to limit their financial exposure.

High-value electronics: example of stricter return conditions and restocking fees

Electronics have high fraud and damage risk. Your disclaimer should reflect that.

Electronics & High-Value Items Disclaimer
Returns of electronics and high-value items (including laptops, tablets, phones, and cameras) are accepted within 14 days of delivery and may be subject to a restocking fee of up to 20%. To qualify for a refund, items must be returned in like-new condition, with all original packaging, accessories, manuals, and serial numbers intact.

We may refuse a return or charge a higher restocking fee if the product shows signs of misuse, missing parts, or tampering, or if the serial number label has been removed or altered.

This electronics return policy disclaimer helps us prevent fraud and maintain product integrity while still offering returns where appropriate.

This is a good example of how to balance consumer expectations with anti-fraud protection.

Key clauses to borrow from the best examples of e-commerce return policy disclaimer examples

When you look across all of the real examples above, you see the same building blocks repeated, just tuned to different products. The strongest examples of e-commerce return policy disclaimer examples usually include:

• Clear time limits – “within 14 days,” “within 30 days,” not “within a reasonable time.”
• Condition standards – unused, unworn, original packaging, hygiene rules.
• Exceptions and non-returnable categories – digital goods, final sale, custom items.
• Who pays for what – return shipping, customs, restocking fees, original shipping.
• Jurisdiction and legal rights language – a reminder that local consumer law still applies.

You don’t need to copy every sentence from any one example of a return disclaimer. Instead, think of these clauses as a menu. Choose what fits your risk profile and your customers’ expectations, and then write it in your brand voice.

For general consumer rights context, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s guidance on online shopping and returns is a useful reference: FTC Consumer Advice – Online Shopping.

2024–2025 trends shaping modern return policy disclaimers

E-commerce in 2025 doesn’t look like 2015, and your disclaimers shouldn’t either. A few trends are showing up across the best examples of e-commerce return policy disclaimer examples:

Stricter language on “free returns”

Brands that used to shout “Free returns on everything!” are now adding disclaimers that:

• Limit free returns to certain regions (often the continental U.S.).
• Exclude oversized items and freight shipments.
• Cap the number of free returns per customer per year.

The disclaimer language typically clarifies that free returns are a promotional benefit, not a permanent contractual right.

Sustainability-driven limits

Return shipping has a carbon footprint, and customers are starting to hear about it. Some of the best examples of modern return disclaimers now:

• Explain that limiting returns helps reduce waste and emissions.
• Encourage customers to use size guides and fit tools before ordering.
• Reserve the right to restrict return privileges for chronic returners.

Marketplaces and multi-channel sales

If you sell on Amazon, eBay, or other platforms, your website policy may not match marketplace rules. Strong disclaimers now:

• State that marketplace purchases are governed by that platform’s return policy.
• Clarify that your website policy applies only to direct sales.

This small line prevents arguments like “But on Amazon you gave me 60 days!” when your site offers 30.

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) and payment disputes

With BNPL services and more aggressive chargeback use, merchants are tightening language around:

• When refunds are processed (for example, only after inspection).
• How long refunds may take to appear on BNPL accounts.
• The fact that refusing a return that violates the policy is not a “failure to deliver” for chargeback purposes.

While you can’t override card network rules, a clear return policy disclaimer gives you better footing in disputes.

Drafting your own: how to adapt these examples of e-commerce return policy disclaimer examples

You’re not writing a law review article; you’re writing something customers will actually read before they hit “Place order.” A few practical tips when you adapt these examples:

Keep it readable

The best examples of e-commerce return policy disclaimer examples use short paragraphs, subheadings, and plain English. Avoid legal jargon where possible. If your customers need a lawyer to understand whether they can send back a T-shirt, the policy will generate more support tickets than it saves.

Put the hardest rules in the most visible spots

If something will surprise a reasonable customer, it belongs in:

• The product page (for example, “Final Sale – no returns or exchanges”).
• The checkout flow (a short notice with a link to the full policy).
• The order confirmation email.

Burying strict disclaimers only in your footer increases the risk of regulatory headaches and chargebacks.

Align with real-world consumer law

Your disclaimer can’t erase statutory rights. For U.S. businesses, that usually means:

• Honoring your own stated policies.
• Not misrepresenting refund or warranty rights.
• Respecting state-specific rules (for example, some states have special regulations for refunds and restocking fees).

The FTC’s general consumer protection guidance (again, see FTC Consumer Advice) is a good baseline. For more academic background on consumer contracts and disclosures, law school resources like Harvard Law School’s library guides can help you understand the direction regulators are moving.

Sync your policy with operations

If your warehouse team automatically discards opened cosmetics for safety reasons, your disclaimer needs to say that opened cosmetics are non-returnable. The best examples of e-commerce return policy disclaimer examples are written backwards from reality: start with what you actually do, then describe it accurately.

FAQ: examples of common questions about e-commerce return policy disclaimers

Q1. Can I copy and paste an example of an e-commerce return policy disclaimer from another site?
You can certainly read other brands’ policies for inspiration, but copying them verbatim is risky. Their policy reflects their products, jurisdictions, and risk tolerance—not yours. Use examples of e-commerce return policy disclaimer examples as templates for structure and wording, then adjust timeframes, conditions, and exceptions to match your own business and legal advice.

Q2. Do I need different return disclaimers for digital and physical products?
In practice, yes. Most of the best examples separate digital goods, subscriptions, and services from physical products. The refund logic, fraud risks, and legal treatment are different, so your policy should reflect that with distinct sections and clear disclaimers.

Q3. Where should I display my return policy disclaimer on my e-commerce site?
At minimum: in your footer navigation, on a dedicated policy page, and linked in checkout. For stricter rules—like final sale, non-returnable categories, or short return windows—put a short version directly on relevant product pages and in order confirmation emails.

Q4. Are restocking fees legal if I disclose them in my return policy disclaimer?
In many U.S. states, yes, as long as the fee is clearly disclosed before purchase and not deceptive. Some jurisdictions limit the amount or require specific disclosures. That’s why the strongest examples of e-commerce return policy disclaimer examples always mention restocking fees in plain language, not buried in fine print.

Q5. What are some good examples of wording for “final sale” items?
Simple is best: “This item is Final Sale and not eligible for return or exchange except in the case of damage or defect.” This mirrors the real examples in this guide and avoids fuzzy phrases like “may not be returnable,” which invite arguments.

Used thoughtfully, these examples of e-commerce return policy disclaimer examples give you a starting point to create a policy that customers understand and your legal team can live with. Adjust the details, keep the language honest, and make sure your operations actually follow what you publish.