How long do I have to return goods bought online?

What the Law Says

The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 set out your right to cancel and return goods bought online in the UK.

When you buy goods online, you have a legal 'cooling-off' period of 14 days to change your mind — this starts the day after you receive the goods. You do not need to give a reason.

Once you cancel, the trader must refund you within 14 days of receiving your cancellation notice or (if later) the goods back — whichever comes first. The refund must include the standard delivery cost.

You’re responsible for returning the goods unless the seller offers to collect them. If you’re asked to pay return postage, the seller must tell you this before you buy — otherwise, they must cover it.

Statutory Text

The consumer has a period of 14 days beginning with the day after the day on which the goods are delivered in which to exercise the right to cancel.

— Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, reg. 31(1) — Right to cancel

Statutory Text

The trader must reimburse all payments received from the consumer, including delivery costs… within 14 days following receipt of the consumer’s notification of cancellation.

— Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, reg. 33(1) — Time limit for reimbursement

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