How long do I have to return something I bought online?

Changed your mind? 14 days — by law

For most things bought online (or by phone or mail order) in the UK, you have a legal right to change your mind: 14 days from the day you receive the item to tell the seller you're cancelling, and then another 14 days to send it back. You don't need a reason, and "I just don't want it any more" is enough. This comes from the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 and applies whether the shop mentions it or not.

The seller must refund you within 14 days of getting the goods back — including the basic delivery cost you originally paid (though not any premium next-day upgrade, and they can ask you to cover return postage if their terms said so).

What the 14-day rule doesn't cover

• Personalised or made-to-order items — engraved, custom-fitted, made to your spec
• Perishables — food, flowers
• Sealed hygiene items and sealed media once unsealed — cosmetics, earrings, DVDs and games
• Digital downloads once you've agreed to start the download
• Items bought in a physical shop — change-of-mind returns in store are goodwill, not law; the shop's own policy (28 days, store credit, whatever it says on the receipt) is what counts

Faulty? Different rule, different clock

If the item is faulty, not as described, or not fit for purpose, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies instead — and it's stronger:

• First 30 days: you can reject a faulty item outright for a full refund.
• 30 days to 6 months: the retailer gets one chance to repair or replace; if that fails, you're entitled to a refund. In this window the fault is assumed to have been there from the start — it's the retailer's job to prove otherwise.
• After 6 months: you can still claim, but now you may need to show the fault was present at purchase. In England and Wales claims are generally possible up to 6 years from purchase (5 in Scotland).

Your claim is always against the retailer who sold it to you — not the manufacturer, and not the courier.

Make any return painless

1. Keep the proof of purchase — order confirmation email or receipt. No proof, no refund.
2. Tell the seller in writing (email is fine) before the window closes — that fixes the date.
3. Keep the packaging until you're sure you're keeping the item.
4. Get proof of postage when you send anything back.

This guide is general guidance, not legal advice. Sources worth bookmarking: Citizens Advice (citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer) and GOV.UK on accepting returns and giving refunds.