To send back a package to Amazon, start a return in Your Orders, pick a drop-off or ship option, and use the QR code or label the site gives you.
You bought something, it missed the mark, and now it’s going back. This guide shows the fastest paths, what each option costs, and how to avoid common snags. You’ll see where QR code drop-offs shine, when a box and label still make sense, and how refunds roll out once the item is scanned. The steps below reflect Amazon’s current return flow and the most common drop-off partners in the U.S.
How to Send Back a Package to Amazon: Start Here
Quick Steps
- Open Your Orders on Amazon, pick the item, then choose Return or Replace Items.
- Select the reason and the return method you want. Amazon will show the free options first when they’re available.
- For no-box returns, save the QR code to your phone. For ship-it-yourself, print the label and any authorization slip.
- Prep the item. Remove add-ons, toss in all parts, and reset electronics when needed.
- Drop off at the location you chose or hand the package to the carrier. Keep the receipt or email confirmation.
Return Options At A Glance
| Method | What You Bring | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| UPS Store QR Drop-Off | Item only + QR code | $0 for many items |
| Kohl’s QR Drop-Off | Item only + QR code | $0 on eligible items |
| Whole Foods Market | Item only + QR code | $0 on eligible items |
| Amazon Locker/Amazon Counter | Item in package + code | $0 when offered |
| USPS Mail-Back | Box + printed label | Prepaid or small fee |
| UPS Pickup | Packed item + label | Pickup fee applies |
| Ship Yourself (any carrier) | Box + printed label | Varies by carrier |
| Returnless Refund | No return needed | $0; Amazon keeps item with you |
Most items have a standard 30-day window, with extended windows around the holidays. See the current Amazon Return Policy. Many drop-offs need no box, tape, or label; that includes partners like Whole Foods and Staples—Amazon explains the program here: free returns with no box, tape, or label.
Sending A Package Back To Amazon: Options And Steps
UPS Store QR Drop-Off
This is the staple pick for speed. Choose the QR option during the return flow, bring the item to a UPS Store, and show the code. The clerk packs and labels it. You leave empty-handed, and tracking lands in your email shortly after the scan. Ask for a quick receipt at the counter; it lists a reference number that pairs with the return ID in your email.
Kohl’s Drop-Off
When this appears in the return menu, it works the same way as a UPS QR return—show the code and hand over the item. Some locations have paused third-party returns for a test period, so the option may not show for a few ZIP codes. If it doesn’t appear, pick another drop-off nearby.
Whole Foods Market
Many stores accept no-box returns at the service desk, an Amazon Counter, or a self-service kiosk. Pick Whole Foods in the return center, bring the item and your QR code, and you’re done in minutes.
Amazon Locker Or Counter
Lockers and staffed Counters pop up near dense neighborhoods and transit hubs. If you get a Locker code, make sure the parcel fits the slot size listed in your confirmation.
USPS Mail-Back
When a prepaid postal label is offered, box the item, stick the label on, and drop it at a post office or mailbox that accepts the size. You can also schedule a pickup on the carrier’s site if your package qualifies.
UPS Pickup From Home
Convenient when you can’t get to a store. It often carries a small pickup fee. Print the label, pack the box, and leave it for the driver at the time shown in your confirmation.
Ship It Yourself With A Printed Label
Sometimes the menu gives you a standard printable label. Use a sturdy box, pad the contents, and include any paperwork the site generates. Drop the box with the named carrier to keep the tracking chain clean.
Returnless Refund
On low-cost or bulky items, Amazon may approve a refund without a return. You’ll see this only when the system offers it during the flow or a customer service agent confirms it. When you get this decision, keep the email for your records and dispose or recycle the item as directed.
Prep Checklist That Saves Time
- Repack all parts: cords, manuals, clips, and the small bits in plastic bags.
- Clean items that touched food or skin if the category allows returns.
- Wipe personal data from devices; log out of apps and remove SIM cards.
- Use a snug box and padding so the item survives the trip back.
- Take a quick photo of the item, the label, and the drop-off receipt for your records.
Return Window, Exceptions, And Gifts
Most items can be returned for 30 days. Around the holidays, Amazon extends the window—purchases from early November through the end of December usually returnable through late January. Some categories have tighter checks or special rules; think Apple-branded products with a shorter holiday window, or items marked non-returnable on the product page. Gifts can be returned through the gift returns page using the order number on the packing slip.
Holiday Window For 2025
For the 2025 season in the U.S., most items bought from November 1 through December 31, 2025 can be returned through January 31, 2026. Apple-branded products bought in that span can be returned through January 15, 2026. Dates can differ by marketplace seller; check your order page for the exact line shown for that item.
What You Might Pay
Many drop-offs are free when Amazon offers them in your return flow. A pickup from home can carry a small fee. If you pick a mail-back where Amazon doesn’t subsidize shipping, you’ll pay the carrier rate. Packaging services at some locations are bundled into the QR option, which is why no box or tape is needed.
Refunds, Tracking, And Timelines
Watch for two emails: the drop-off scan and the refund issued notice. You can also follow the status inside Your Orders. Below is a plain guide to when money lands back and what slows it down.
Refund Timelines And What Affects Them
| Payment Method | When It Shows | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Credit/Debit Card | 3–10 business days after refund issued | Your bank sets the pace once Amazon processes it. |
| Amazon Gift Card Balance | Usually within 2–3 hours | Fastest credit in most cases. |
| Amazon Pay Balance | Within 24 hours | Shows in your Payments section. |
| SNAP EBT Or Similar | Up to 10 business days | Timing depends on program rules. |
| Cash On Delivery | As instructed by email | Refund method varies by region. |
| Replacement Instead Of Refund | Ships after scan | Speed depends on inventory and the scan event. |
If A Return Option Doesn’t Show Up
Options change by item, price, weight, and ZIP code. If a partner drop-off is missing, pick another nearby option in the menu or switch to a carrier drop-off. If you need a box-free route and only labels appear, start a quick chat with customer service; agents can sometimes switch the method.
If A Refund Seems Late
Check the tracking scan in your email or inside the order. If there’s no movement after a few days, contact customer service with your receipt and the return ID. Card refunds ride on bank timelines even after Amazon pushes the credit.
Packaging, Box Sizes, And Safe Shipping
Good packing prevents damage claims and speeds your credit. Match the box to the item, cushion fragile parts, and seal seams with strong tape. Scrub old barcodes if you’re reusing a box. Keep lithium batteries inside the device when possible, and use the original protective trays if you still have them.
Label And QR Code Basics
QR codes are single-use. Screenshot the code and carry a backup email in case the app stalls at the counter. Printed labels should be flat and scannable; avoid wrapping over edges or tape glare. Keep the code block clean of water and dirt.
People often search “how to send back a package to Amazon” right after unboxing. Use the steps above and you’ll spend more time on the drop-off than on your screen.
Pick The Best Return Method For Your Situation
Choose A No-Box Drop-Off When
- You’re near a partner location and your item qualifies for a QR code.
- You don’t have a printer or spare packing supplies.
- The item is awkward to pack and you want the store to handle it.
Choose Mail-Back When
- You live far from drop-off spots.
- You’re returning several small items at once.
- You already have a good box and can hand it to a carrier on your route.
Choose Pickup When
- You can’t travel to a store.
- The box is heavy and a porch handoff beats loading the car.
- You’re fine with a small pickup fee for the convenience.
Keep Your Return Smooth From Start To Finish
Match the return method to your schedule, save your codes, and keep proof of drop-off. Scan your inbox for the refund email and check your bank within a week. If something looks off, contact customer service with your receipts and the return ID so they can nudge the process.
This walkthrough keeps you on the rails for the full cycle of how to send back a package to Amazon, from the first click to money back.