Moment of truth…I had never heard of Shein until a few weeks ago when I saw my teenage daughter shopping for clothes on their website. Turns out she’s a huge fan of their affordable, trendy styles. She especially loves their dresses, swimwear, and tops. But with all online clothes shopping, there comes a time when you need to make a return because something doesn’t fit right or just isn’t what you thought it would be. So when this happened to my daughter I walked her through the Shein return policy and the idea for this article was born. Here’s exactly how their return policy currently works.

1. How Many Return Days Does Shein Allow?

30 days.

Shein gives you exactly 30 days (down from 35 days) from your “delivery date” to initiate a return.

2. How Do I Initiate the Return Online?

You’ll want to login to your SHEIN account and go to “My Orders”.

Next, simply click on the “Return Item” button and select the items you want to return.

Then you’ll select your “Return Method” (UPS or USPS) and following the instructions.

See Also: Zara Return Policy: Here’s How to Make Returns Easy

PRO TIP: FREE SHEIN RETURNS NOW ACCEPTED AT FOREVER 21

When initiating your return on the Shein website, you’ll want to select Forever 21 Stores as your Return Method. You’ll then be given a QR Code which you’ll take with you to Forever 21. Make sure all of items you’re returning are in their Shein polybags, no box or shipping bag required. Take everything to a Forever 21 location and they’ll take care of the rest. BONUS: Forever 21 will give you a 30% off coupon for anything in their store when you drop off your return.

3. How Do I Access My Return Shipping Label?

Next you’ll want to print the return label provided and tape that bad-boy to the outside of your box.

After you initiate your return, the best way to find your return label is as follows:

1 – In your account, first go to My Orders.

2- Then click on Order Details.

3- Next, click on Return & Refund Record and select method of return.

4- Lastly, click View to download and print your return label.

Then just drop it off at a UPS access point, your local post office, or arrange a USPS pickup from your house.

4. Do I Get a Free Return on Each Order or Only My First Return?

This was a question I was getting a lot as their policy is confusing.

To clarify, you get one free return per order, and it can even be for MULTIPLE items in the same order.

It all just needs to be returned at once, in the same package or box.

Thanks to commenter Julianna for clearing this one up.

See Also: Is Shein a Legit Company? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

5. Who Pays The Return Shipping Charge?

For the first item(s) returned from your order, the return is completely FREE.

Once you’ve initially returned items from an order, you’ll have to pay $7.99 to return any additional items.

SHEIN will also let you use your own shipping method at your own cost if you’d rather make your return that way.

6. Is There Anything I Can’t Return?

Yes, there are several clothing items that CANNOT be returned.

– Bodysuits

– Lingerie/Underwear

– Jewelry

– Beauty Items

– Party Supplies

– DIY Supplies

– Pet Products

– Cosmetics – You can’t return cosmetics if you break the hygiene seal.

– Stuff Marked Non-Returnable or Final Sale

See Also: American Eagle Return Policy: Time to Fully Understand It

PRO TIP: BE CAREFUL WITH CUSTOMIZED PRODUCTS

Surprisingly, Shien has a large section on their site dedicated to customized products. Clothing, jewelry, home decor, and even backpacks and duffel bags that can customized with your name or custom text. Be careful ordering these and double check your spelling as these items are ALL final sale and no return will be accepted. It’s also save to assume that if the mistake is on Shein’s end, it will be hard to get them to fix or exchange the customized items. 

7. Do I Need My Receipt to Make a Return?

Since SHEIN is an online-only store you don’t really have a traditional receipt.

You simply login to your account and start your return…NO receipt required.

8. What If I Removed the Tag?

Their official stance is the tag needs to be attached.

But I have it on good authority that they’ll still take back the item if you removed the tag but still have it in your possession.

Just throw it in the bag with your item(s) and you should be fine.

9. How Easy Is It To Make an Exchange?

Not super easy.

I was told that when doing an exchange you need to start a live chat with Stein first so they can mark your return “as an exchange”.

They’ll then process the exchange once they receive the return package.

Your first exchange from an order is completely free, after that you’re on the hook for the return shipping charges.

10. Can I Wear Items and Still Return Them?

No.

You can obviously try them on, but if you wear them out to dinner or work (or something like that) they say they won’t take them back.

11. What Happens If I Wash an Item, Then Decide I Don’t Like It?

It depends.

If the reason you don’t like the item is because of damage from the wash, you need to contact SHEIN directly as you stand a good chance of getting a refund.

See Also: Abercrombie & Fitch Return Policy: Here’s the Real Deal on How It Works

12. Can I Return Clearance or Sale Items to Shein?

Yes.

Unless the “On Sale” or “Clearance” item is marked online as “non-returnable” you can return it without a problem.

13. How Long Will It Take to Get My Refund?

10-15 days.

Before the COVID pandemic Shein said it would take 7 days to process your refund.

They now say it will take an additional 3-5 days making for a long 10-15 day wait.

The refund will come to you in whatever way you request.

Your 2 refund options are currently as follows:

– Original Payment Method

– Your SHEIN Wallet

14. Will Shein Let You Keep Items Instead of Returning Them?

Possibly, yes.

I have it on good authority that if your order reaches a minimum threshold, SHEIN will often tell you to keep the item and still refund you.

I have two friends that shop with them regularly and they’ve had this happen to them when their order total was just over $100.

This is worth knowing as Shein has joined the ranks of several other major retailers that are telling shoppers to keep certain items they try to return.

15. Is It Possible to Cancel a Return?

Yes.

If you need to cancel a return, and haven’t mailed it back yet, you can simply contact SHEIN customer service and they can help you out.

16. Do I Have to Pay a Fee for a New Size If I Want an Exchange?

No.

Your exchange is FREE as long as it’s your FIRST exchange/return on one corresponding order number.

Bonus Question #1: Will I Be Refunded on the Sales Tax?

According to Julia in the comments, tax is NOT refunded, only the full amount you pay for the item.

This seems really strange and not ethical, does anyone else have any experience with not getting refunded the sales tax?

Bonus Question #2: Will Shein Let Me Keep Some Items I Try to Return?

Yes.

According to several folks in the comments, when trying to make a return, have received an email from Shein stating “you can keep the product not withstanding any statutory rights to withdrawal.”

Followed by “consider it a gift from us.”

This is a very strange way of saying you can KEEP the item and still get your money back.

A commenter by the name of “Shan” had the best explanation for this, saying that some stuff just isn’t worth their time when trying to arrange a return, especially when the value of the item exceeds the return shipping costs.

Ask the Reader: Shein is fairly new to the eCommerce space so many are not very familiar with their return policy yet. With that said, what’s been your experience with their policy? Let me know in the comments.

By Kyle James

Kyle James( Owner/Founder )

I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)