UKI received unsolicited goods in the post. Do I have to pay for them?
No, you do not have to pay for unsolicited goods sent to you in the UK — they are treated as an unconditional gift under the Unsolicited Goods Act 1971.
What the Law Says
The law in the UK is clear: unsolicited goods sent to you without your prior request or agreement cannot be demanded for payment — and you are not required to return them.
Under the Unsolicited Goods Act 1971, it is illegal for a business to demand payment for goods you did not order. If they do, it’s a criminal offence.
The Act also states that unsolicited goods are treated as an unconditional gift — meaning you legally own them and can keep, use, or dispose of them as you wish.
This protection applies whether the goods were sent by post, courier, or any other method — and covers physical items only (not digital services or subscriptions).
Statutory TextWhere goods are sent to a person unsolicited, that person shall not be liable to pay for them and may retain them as an unconditional gift.
— Unsolicited Goods Act 1971, s. 1 — Effect of sending unsolicited goods
Statutory TextIt shall be an offence for any person to demand payment for unsolicited goods.
— Unsolicited Goods Act 1971, s. 2 — Offence of demanding payment
What to Do
Keep the goods — you are under no legal obligation to return them.
Ignore any invoice, demand letter, or follow-up call asking for payment.
If the sender threatens legal action or reports you to a credit agency, inform them — politely — that the Unsolicited Goods Act 1971 protects you.
Report persistent demands to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice or the UK government’s reporting tool.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.