16 Questions About the Shein Return Policy Answered…Finally
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
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)
Can you return something if it was a gift and they did not create an account? how do I go about returning something not on an account?
I contacted Shein and here’s what I was told, “For this, we need to locate the order and we will need the email or phone number linked to that order so we can locate the order and be able to process the return. We can only process the refund to the original payment account or SHEIN wallet”
How did you contact them? I bought items that need to be returned and I purchased as a guest and not in my account by mistake.
Live chat through their website, look for customer service link
I got these shoes that I need for a 2 hour event. They are extravagant and neon pink for the Barbie theme and I will never wear them again after. I’m thinking about returning them after the event. They will only be worn indoors and if I tape the bottoms so they do not get damaged and send them back after, will shein give me a refund?
Shein will probably take them back but Barbie will be very disappointed in you. 😉
Dont be gross. Did your parents not raise you right? Find some ethics, stat.
Ok so I odered some items worth 300 euros.. But some items are small and some big.. But for these orders return is not supported😏.. What do I do? Thou I will be paying through klarna in 14 days.. Would I still pay for these items I want to return?
I purchased 20 items and couldn’t fit any. I have my return postage but it says it needs to be in original package with barcode. So my question, is that a big deal? I don’t want to try and match every item back to its bag if I dont have to
Yeah, I’d try and get the items back in the correct bag to make sure your return goes smoothly.
No. I’ve returned several items in different bags ( I too order 10+ items at once) because I get confused. The barcodes rarely ever match the item. Just put it in an appropriate SHEIN bag and you’ll be fine. I’ve done this on countless occasions.
I returned items from two separate orders now. Very easy. I chose to have my funds put in my Shein Wallet, as I wanted to order things in replacement of those original items. Within 3 days, they received my items and the same day, gave me my refund via Shein Wallet. Super fast!
Was it just one fee of $7.99 they charged you or is it charged for each order?
Can you send back items from two separate orders in the same box with one label
I ordered quite a few things and didn’t keep track of which item came in which bag, now I want to return a couple things and can’t figure out which item went into each bag.. is there a way to figure it out?
There should be a number on the label that matches the number on sticker on the bag.
Need a return address
I can’t find how do to an exchange. I just see how to return items. Can someone help. I like the items they are just the wrong size.
I tore the site apart looking for this, it doesn’t AT ALL explain an exchange. It just says to make your refund then just reorder the item. I’m sorry! I wanted to exchange too!
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.
I was reading the fine print and it says a return must be in the same packaging, does that mean the old, unreliable bag it came in has to go through the mail again? I don’t think it’ll make it! Plus! It literally says do not return on the bag.
How do you return a order if I didn’t go through a account
I no no problem the first time sending my stuff back, but now I cannot seem to print the ticket. I also need the return address. I won’t be ordering again.
I don’t blame you there I really love the way their clothes look and it’s a little scary place in a big order not knowing if anything’s going to fit or if you can even return it that’s why Amazon is so much better it’s easy to return and they don’t give you any problems about it like Shein.
Thanks for writing this useful article. I wanted to know as I’m ordering for the first time, how easy is it to exchange items if you need a different size. I’ve measured myself and some of my measurements fit between two sizes. I’ve decided to be optimistic and order the smaller size but will return everything not needed in one package if they don’t fit.
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.
How do I return an item if I bought it as a guest and not logged into my account?
Start a live chat and they’ll tell you how to proceed. They’ll need your email address and order #.
So dumb question about Sheins returns policy.. so if returns are free per order does this mean like if I make multiple orders in the future then will the returns for each of those orders be free and I don’t have to pay any fees?
I haven’t ordered anything from them yet in all honesty. 😅 Though I’ve done a bit of research and I’m worried about the fit of their clothing..
It’s one free return per order. So past orders and future orders do not matter, just that order you have at that moment.
Tip: When my package comes, I try everything on immediately so I know right away what needs to be returned. I put it back in its bag and in a box.
If I happen to have tossed bag into a pile of bags, I just match up SKU number to receipt that came in box.
If I can’t figure out what item I am looking for on the receipt, I go to my online order and find said item, read the name, go back and find it on receipt, then find the bag with proper SKU. I desperately try not to mix up bags for this reason lol
Go online, request return, print and send back. done
You only get one free return per order, but it can be for MULTIPLE items in an order as long as items come back in same box or shipping bag. So just try-on all the clothes right away and ship everything you don’t want back to them in the same box and it’s free. Kinda confusing policy, does this make sense?
That makes so much more sense, Thank you!! The wording of the policy made it really confusing.. Thank you so much.
Want to know for return, is there a standard fee of ine items or more??