Do You Need Original Packaging to Return to Amazon? All You Need To Know

Do you need original packaging to return to Amazon?

Not necessarily. Although Amazon heavily suggests you return products in their original packaging, this rule can be flexible.

I’ve recently tried returning an opened product missing its original box, and Amazon accepted it.

However, there are some exceptions where the marketplace strictly implements this rule.

I’ll detail all you need to know in this guide, including how to return items without their original packaging.

Let’s begin.

Do You Need Original Packaging To Return to Amazon?

Amazon generally requires returned items with their original product packaging, such as boxes, manuals, and warranty cards.

However, Amazon is pretty flexible regarding free returns as long as your items fall within its standard return policy.

Note: Some items are non-returnable unless unopened or in their original packaging. Here are the exceptions:

Product Category	Return Condition
Collectible Coins (Graded Coins and Original Government Packaged Coins)	– Must contact the third-party seller within 14 days of receipt – Unaltered condition – With original packaging and documentation – Must use a return method that provides a tracking number
Fashion items	– New and unworn condition – With original packaging, tags, and certificates of authenticity
Fine Art items	– Non-damaged and unaltered – With original packaging – With certificates of authenticity and appraisal – Must use a return method that provides a tracking ID
Jewelry and Watches	– Non-damaged and unaltered – With original packaging – With certificates of authenticity, grading, and appraisal
Luxury Store products	– With original manufacturer’s packaging, including brand packaging – With original documentation, including certificates of authenticity, grading, and warranty cards
Mattresses	– Unopened – With original packaging
Televisions	– New condition and without missing parts – With original packaging – Personal data removed via factory reset
Breast Pumps	– Unused and in their original condition – Intact factory seal and packaging

What Is Amazon’s Return Policy?

If you’re not completely satisfied with your purchase, you can generally return it to Amazon within 30 days of receipt. You can take advantage of the free return shipping policy to get a full refund or replacement.

However, it all comes down to what you want to return.

Here’s a general overview of Amazon’s return policy.

Product Category	Return Condition
Kindle books	Seven days for accidentally purchased items
Digital educational resources	Seven days; must not yet be downloaded
Apple Brand products and Boost Infinite Brand products	15 days
Eligible Products in General Categories	30 days
Non-digital item purchased through Alexa	30 days
Amazon Birthday Gift List gifts	90 days
Amazon Prime Custom Gift List gifts	90 days
Baby items	90 days
Amazon Renewed items(including Amazon Renewed items sold through Amazon Warehouse)	90 days
Mattresses
Unopened and with original packaging	100 days
Unboxed, expanded, and full size	Non-returnable, but refundable
Wedding Registry gifts	180 days
Baby Registry gifts	365 days
Amazon Fresh products	Non-returnable, but refundable or replaceable
Live Plants or Insects	Non-returnable, but might be refundable
New, used, and refurbished items	Varies depending on the marketplace seller
Items fulfilled by an Amazon business third-party seller	Varies depending on the marketplace seller

Note that the return policy won’t apply if you receive a damaged or defective product. In this case, you can request a full refund or replacement.

What Items You Can’t Return to Amazon?

Amazon doesn’t accept returns for these products under any condition:

• Kindles, laptops, and desktops more than 30 days after the delivery date
• Hazardous materials or those that use flammable gasses or liquids
• Products that have a missing UPC or serial number
• Downloadable software products or digital products from the Amazon appstore, Amazon Digital Music Store, Amazon Luna Store, or Amazon Video store
• Live insects
• Fresh flowers and live plants
• Open software
• Some jewelry items
• Grocery items
• Accessed online subscriptions
• Open software
• Products that have special international shipping restrictions
• Certain personal and healthcare orders
• Prepaid game cards and phone cards
• Some gift cards

How To Return Your Amazon Order: With or Without Original Packaging

If you purchased from Amazon directly (Fulfilled by Amazon), follow these steps.

1. Click Returns & Orders at the top-right corner of any Amazon page.
2. Find the order you want to return and choose Return or Replace Items.
3. Select the item you want to return. A message should pop up indicating if the order is returnable.
4. Choose an option from the Reason for return menu.
5. Choose whether you want to issue a refund or replacement.
6. Select your preferred return method.
7. Print your return label and return authorization OR
   If you chose a label-free, box-free return location: Save the QR code.
8. Package your items for return and add the return label OR
   If you chose a label-free, box-free return location: Bring the item to the drop-off location even without a shipping box.

Where Can You Drop Off Your Returns?

Amazon provides several options for return shipping, such as:

• Drop-off at numerous locations across the country
• Drop-off at Amazon Hub Counter and Locker locations
• Scheduled pickups
• Label-free and box-free returns at Amazon physical stores, Whole Foods, Kohl’s, Staples, and The UPS Store locations.

Your options depend on the item you want to return and the locations near you. You can view all your choices through the Returns Center when you initiate a request.

All items tagged with Free returns are eligible for free, fast shipping back to Amazon.

However, note that UPS may incur a $1 fee ONLY IF you choose it even if you have more convenient options in the Amazon Return Center.

To reiterate, you don’t have to pay anything if it’s the closest or your only option.

How To Return Amazon Item To Amazon Third-Party Sellers

For open box items purchased from a third-party seller, here’s how to initiate a return:

Step 1- Check Their Return Policy.

Amazon sells products fulfilled by other sellers on their marketplace. Although it imposes a general return guideline, each seller can customize it to fit their business.

As such, you must first check the seller’s specific return policy for the item you purchased.

You can usually see this information on the product detail page, but you can always contact the seller to ask.

Step 2- Initiate the Return.

1. Log into your Amazon account on the Amazon site.
2. Go to Your Orders.
3. Select Problem with order after choosing the order.
4. Choose the product you want to return.
5. Select Contact seller.

Step 3- Follow the Seller’s Return Instructions.

Note: The seller should respond within two days. If you don’t hear back within two business days or you’re having issues with the seller, you can file an A-to-Z Guarantee claim.

When you reach a solution with the seller, follow their instructions to return the item. They may offer one or more of these methods:

• Return to a shipping address within the United States.
• Print a prepaid return label for a specific courier.
• Receive a full refund without returning the item.

What If I Lost The Packing Slip?

If you’ve lost the packing slip, don’t worry. You can still return your item as long as you have the order number. This is advantageous because it helps reduce your packaging waste.

Amazon will generate a return shipping label for you, and you’ll just need to drop off the package at your preferred drop-off location. If you require an order receipt, print one from your Amazon account. Follow these steps to get your invoice:

• Go to the Orders tab.
• Select the appropriate date range from the drop-down menu.
• Select View Invoice after scrolling to find the order.
• Use the print button on your browser to print this page for your records.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Do I Contact Amazon Customer Service?

Follow these steps to contact customer service through the Amazon website:

1. Go to the Amazon Customer Service page.
2. Select Something else.
3. On the next page, click I need more help.
4. Choose between Request a phone call or Chat with us.

Is Amazon Return Free?

Most items on the marketplace qualify for free returns. Check if the item is eligible by looking for the Free returns tag next to the price.

Can I Return Amazon Package in Plastic Bag?

You can return some items in a plastic bag or any box that isn’t the original packaging. However, ensure you refer to my list of exemptions at the beginning of this article.

The Bottom Line

I hope this guide helps you make a smoother return to Amazon.

As with my previous experiences with Amazon, you should be fine even if you don’t have the original packaging for most eligible items. Just ensure you including all the product’s parts and pieces when returning it.