H&M Return Policy: Rules, Fees, Time Limits & Steps
H&M gives you 30 days to return most items in the US, Canada, the UK and the Philippines, and 15 days in India. Returning to a store is free, while mailing an online order back usually costs $5.99 in the US, $3.99 in Canada and £2.99 per brand in the UK, deducted from your refund. Items must be in good condition with the labels attached, and hygiene products such as underwear, opened beauty items and swimwear without its seal cannot be returned.
H&M Return Policy in Short
- Return window: 30 days in most markets, counted from purchase for store orders and from delivery for online orders
- Condition: Unworn, unwashed, undamaged, with all labels attached
- Proof of purchase: A valid receipt or e-receipt is needed in the US
- Free option: Returns to an H&M store are free
- Paid option: Mailing an online return costs a flat fee that is taken from your refund
- Refund method: Back to your original payment method
- Not returnable: Gift cards, final sale items, underwear, opened beauty products, fabric face masks and swimwear with a broken hygiene seal
H&M Return Policy by Country
H&M runs separate return rules for each country site. Always follow the page for the country where you placed the order.
| Country | Return window | Return to store | Return by mail |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 30 days | Free | $5.99 deducted from refund |
| United Kingdom | 30 days (14 days for sale and designer collection items) | Free | £2.99 per brand deducted from refund |
| Canada | 30 days | Free | $3.99 |
| India | 15 days | Free | Free of charge |
| Philippines | 30 days | Not stated on the returns page | Free |
| Australia | 30 days | Online orders cannot be returned in stores | Handled through the online returns process |
How Long Do You Have to Return H&M Items?
In the US, you have 30 days to decide whether an item is right for you. For store purchases, the clock starts on the purchase date. For online orders, the parcel must be postmarked within 30 days of delivery.
Here is a simple example. If your online order is delivered on November 10, your return parcel must be postmarked by December 10. If you plan to return to a store instead, bring the item and your e-receipt before that same date.
H&M’s main US returns page says returns are not accepted after 30 days in stores or online. A separate H&M help page describes an exchange-only option after 30 days at the current selling price. Because the two pages differ, treat anything after day 30 as store discretion and ask before you make the trip.
What Condition Must Items Be In?
H&M expects items to be in good condition with all original labels attached. In the US, the return page also asks for a valid receipt and tags when you return to a store.
The UK page is more detailed. It says H&M may send an item back without a refund if it arrives damaged, soiled, washed, altered, missing parts, showing signs of wear beyond trying it on, or without its original labels.
Some shoppers report that staff accept items with tags removed when the item is clearly unworn. That is store discretion, not policy, so do not count on it.
How to Return H&M Items in a Store
Returning in person is the fastest and cheapest route. It is free at any H&M store in the United States, excluding Puerto Rico.
- Gather the item, all labels and your receipt (or the e-receipt from your shipping confirmation email for online orders).
- Take them to the returns or customer service desk at any US H&M store.
- Ask for a refund to your original payment method, or an exchange.
- Keep the return receipt until the refund appears on your statement.
Items bought in a store must be returned to a store. Free in-store pickup orders also have to go back to a store, because mail returns are not accepted for them.
How to Return an H&M Online Order by Mail
If there is no store near you, use H&M’s online Returns Portal. In the US, the steps are simple.
- Open the Returns Portal and enter your order number and email address.
- Choose the items and the reason for the return.
- Download the QR code or print the return label.
- Pack the items and drop the parcel at a USPS location within 30 days of delivery.
A flat fee of $5.99 is deducted from all mail-in returns of online purchases in the US. In Canada the online return fee is $3.99, and in the UK it is £2.99 per brand.
Can You Return an Online Order to an H&M Store?
In the US and UK, yes. H&M’s US page lets you register a return online or visit any US store, and the UK page says store returns of online orders carry no fee.
There are exceptions. In the UK, external brands sold on hm.com cannot be returned in H&M stores. In Australia, online purchases cannot be returned or exchanged in stores and must go through the online process. Online H&M Home orders, such as furniture, generally have to go back by mail in their original packaging.
Return Methods Compared (US)
| Method | Cost | Speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| In store | Free | Refund triggered at the desk, card statement can take time to update | Anyone near a store |
| By mail | $5.99 deducted | Parcel transit plus warehouse processing | Shoppers without a nearby store |
| In-store exchange | Free | Same visit | Size or colour swaps |
How H&M Exchanges Work
Exchanges are done in a store. The US page says you cannot exchange items online, and items exchanged must be of equal or greater value.
If you bought online and want a different size, the practical route is to return the item and place a new order. If you prefer a swap, take the item and your e-receipt to a store within 30 days of delivery.
Returns Without a Receipt or With a Gift Receipt
H&M’s US help page says merchandise cannot be returned or exchanged without a receipt. Some shoppers report exchange-only outcomes at the current selling price, but that is not a promise.
If you return an item with an H&M gift receipt, or the purchase was made with an H&M gift card, the refund is issued as merchandise credit. Keep the gift receipt safe, because it is your proof of purchase.
Items You Cannot Return to H&M
For hygiene and safety reasons, some products are excluded. The US returns page lists these restrictions:
- Beauty items can only be returned if unopened
- Undergarments are final sale
- Swimwear cannot be refunded if the hygienic seal is missing or broken
- Fabric face masks cannot be returned
- Gift cards cannot be returned
- Restricted items listed by H&M cannot be returned
- Anything marked Final Sale is not returnable
Other markets can be stricter. India’s page lists underwear, swimwear, piercing jewellery, perfumes, face masks, hair tools, hair accessories, beauty products and cosmetics as non-returnable.
Special Collections With Shorter Return Windows
Designer collaborations often have tighter limits. The Budget Fashionista, updated on October 29, 2026, reports that Glen Martens x H&M items must be returned within 3 days for store purchases and 7 days for online purchases. It also reports that Perfect Moment x H&M items must be returned within 7 days of purchase or delivery.
In the UK, H&M’s own page sets 14 days for sale items and designer collection articles. H&M Studio and Premium Selection pieces currently follow the standard policy, according to the same guide. Always check the product page, receipt or order confirmation before you buy a collaboration piece.
Return Fees Explained
In-store returns are free. The fee only applies when you mail an online order back.
Fees have changed over time, which is why older guides disagree. In the UK, H&M introduced a £1.99 online return fee in 2023, raised it to £2.95 for all customers from February 3, 2025, and now lists £2.99 per brand on its UK page. In the US, some older guides quote $3.99 or $4.99, but H&M’s current US page states $5.99.
Membership used to be a way around the fee. An older H&M help page says Plus members receive free online returns, and some guides still repeat that. The current US returns page lists the $5.99 deduction with no member exception, so assume you will pay it unless your Returns Portal or order confirmation shows otherwise.
How H&M Refunds Work
Refunds go back to the payment method you used. In the US, shipping and handling costs are not refundable, and H&M cannot refund extra charges your bank may apply.
Timing depends on the route and the payment type:
- US cards: H&M refunds card payments in about 14 days, according to The Budget Fashionista, and H&M says credit can take up to two billing cycles to show on a statement
- India: UPI refunds are instant, while card or cash refunds take 2 to 7 days depending on your bank, and in-store refunds can take up to 7 business days
- Philippines: H&M aims to process refunds within 30 days of the parcel reaching its warehouse
- Gift card payments: Refunds from gift card purchases come back as merchandise credit or to the card used
In India, H&M also refunds your delivery fee if you return every item in the order.
Returning an Order Paid With Klarna
If you paid with Klarna, report the return first. Log in to your H&M account and report it from the Klarna purchases page. Klarna then holds your invoice until H&M processes the return and contacts you with updates, so ask Klarna directly about any refund question.
H&M Holiday Return Policy
For 2025, items bought between November 1 and December 25 could be returned with a valid receipt until January 31, 2026, according to The Budget Fashionista. If you only had a gift receipt, the refund was issued as store credit.
I could not find a published H&M holiday window for 2026 yet. Expect a similar extension, but confirm the dates on H&M’s returns page or at the store before you rely on it.
What If an Item Is Faulty or Wrong?
Contact H&M customer service as soon as you notice the problem. In the UK, the return fee is not applied to faulty items. In Australia, H&M’s terms say defective products receive a full refund including the return fee.
Take photos of the defect and keep your order confirmation. Do not wash or alter the item before you report it.
Can H&M Refuse a Return?
Yes. H&M reserves the right to refuse excessive receipted and non-receipted returns. The company does not publish a number, so repeated returns of many items can lead to a refusal even when you have a receipt.
Returning If You Shop Through a Forwarder or From Abroad
H&M’s return rules and prepaid labels are tied to the country site where you ordered. The US page, for example, refers to any H&M store in the United States, excluding Puerto Rico.
If your order was shipped to a forwarding address abroad, ask the forwarder how they handle returns before you depend on H&M’s labels. Do not assume a store in another country will accept an item from a different country site.
Why H&M Returns Get Rejected
- The return window has passed
- Labels or tags are missing and the item looks worn
- The item is washed, damaged, stained or altered
- It is an underwear, face mask, gift card or final sale item
- The hygiene seal on swimwear is broken or the beauty item is opened
- There is no receipt, e-receipt or order confirmation
- The return pattern looks excessive
Quick Checklist Before You Return
- Check the deadline using the delivery or purchase date
- Keep every label attached
- Do not wash or wear the item beyond trying it on
- Bring your receipt or e-receipt, and the card you paid with
- Choose store returns if there is a store nearby to avoid the fee
- Report Klarna orders in your H&M account first
- Keep the return receipt or tracking number until the refund lands
How to Contact H&M About a Return
For the US, H&M lists a toll-free support line at 855-466-7467 on its site. You can also use the contact options in the Customer Service section of hm.com for your country.
Have your order number, email address and tracking number ready. In the Philippines and India, H&M advises contacting customer service if your return is not registered or the refund has not arrived within the stated time.
FAQs
How long do I have to return something to H&M?
In the US, Canada, the UK and the Philippines you generally have 30 days. India allows 15 days. UK sale and designer collection items have 14 days, and some collaborations have even shorter windows.
Is H&M return free?
Returning to an H&M store is free. Mailing an online order back costs $5.99 in the US, $3.99 in Canada and £2.99 per brand in the UK, deducted from your refund. India lists returns as free of charge.
Can I return H&M clothes without tags?
H&M’s policy asks for labels to be attached. Some shoppers report that staff accept unworn items without tags, but that depends on the store, so do not rely on it.
Can I return worn or washed clothes to H&M?
No. H&M expects items in good condition, and the UK page says items showing signs of wear beyond trying them on, or washed items, may be sent back without a refund.
Can I return an online order to an H&M store?
In the US and UK, yes, and it is free. In Australia, online purchases cannot be returned in stores. Free in-store pickup orders in the US must be returned in stores.
Can I return H&M items without a receipt?
H&M’s US help page says no return or exchange without a receipt. If you have only a gift receipt or paid with an H&M gift card, the refund is issued as merchandise credit.
Can I return sale items to H&M?
Sale items follow the standard policy in the US unless they are marked Final Sale. In the UK, sale items have a shorter 14 day window.
What can’t I return to H&M?
Gift cards, final sale items, undergarments, fabric face masks, opened beauty products and swimwear without an intact hygiene seal. Some markets add items such as piercing jewellery, hair accessories and perfumes.
How long does an H&M refund take?
In the US, card refunds take about 14 days after processing, and credit can take up to two billing cycles to appear. In India, UPI refunds are instant and card refunds take 2 to 7 days. In the Philippines, H&M aims to refund within 30 days of the parcel reaching its warehouse.
Does H&M refund shipping costs?
In the US, shipping and handling costs are not refundable. In India, the delivery fee is refunded if you return all items in your order.
Can I exchange an item online?
No. Exchanges are done in a store, and the replacement must be of equal or greater value. For online orders, return the item and place a new order.
Can H&M refuse my return?
Yes. H&M can refuse excessive receipted and non-receipted returns, and it does not publish how many returns that means.
Can I return an H&M item in a different country?
Do not assume so. Return rules and systems are country specific, and the US page refers to stores in the United States. Check with customer service before you travel with an item.
Bottom Line
The safest way to return an H&M item is to keep the labels on, hold on to your receipt, and bring it to a store within 30 days. That route is free, fast and avoids the mailing fee. If you must mail it, use the Returns Portal for your country, check the fee shown before you confirm, and track the parcel until your refund arrives.
