Can you return items after 30 days and where are the drop off points?
August 4, 2024Confused about Zara returns? Been there, done that – so here, I’m answering everything you need to know about sending Zara items back. There’s nothing more frustrating than ordering a piece of clothing only to find it doesn’t fit – but it gets even more frustrating when you’re not even sure how to return it. It should be easy, but it can be confusing the first time you do it. Luckily, I’ve been there more times than I’d care to admit, so I thought I’d share all my knowledge with you.
While I used to hate shopping on the Zara website, I’ve become a dab hand at navigating it over the years and subsequently, possibly buying too much – but I digress.
Using my previous experience, I’m answering everything you need to know about returning unwanted items, from how to find the nearest drop-off points, the returns period, whether they accept returns on sale items and much more. Please note however that we aren’t affiliated with Zara, so cannot help you with your Zara order. You’ll need to contact the brand directly.
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If you’re looking for more information about your favourite brands, you may want to check out our guide to how to cancel a SHEIN order, the M&S returns policy and H&M returns.
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You can either return your Zara items online or in-store, depending on where you purchased them. You won’t be able to return an item you purchased in-store online, but it’s possible to return items bought online both by post and in-stores. All items must be in perfect condition to be accepted by Zara.
According to Zara’s website, all items returned have to be be in their original condition and include all labels. That means if you tear the tag off, you won’t be able to return it.
Personally I’d say it’s worth trying though, as many brands do accept items without tags. Some items I’ve ordered from Zara have arrived without tags too.
If you bought something online, you need to log into your account and make a return request. If you ordered something as a guest user, you can request a refund by clicking on the link that appears in the emails Zara has sent you about the relevant order.
The brand will send you a label via email to stick on the return package and you can take it to a drop-off point to be posted. In some post offices, you can show a QR Code, and they will print the label for you but make sure your post office does this, as they have to have printing available to do so.
Drop point returns are only available for online purchases and are not valid for items purchased in-store.
If you purchased your item in-store, you’re able to return it at any Zara store in the same region as where you purchased it.
You’ll need to show your receipt, whether it’s on your phone or a physical receipt. You can return your order at any Zara store in the same market/region where you made the purchase. You only have to present the purchase receipt along with the items you wish to return. You can show it on the screen of your mobile device or print it out. You’re also able to return online purchases to stores, and you don’t need to make return requests online to do so. You can read more about Zara returns here.
On Zara’s website, it identifies post offices as ‘Drop-Off points’. This means your local post office. You can find your local post office by using Royal Mail’s Branch Finder here.
Zara accepts returns up to 30 days from the shipping date of your purchase if bought online, or the sale date if bought in-store. After this, the option to return your item will disappear from your account in Zara’s website.
No. The return period is 30 days. After this, the return option will disappear online.
Yes, Royal Mail post offices accept Zara returns. They can print off returns labels if you show them your QR code.
Sadly, Zara has recently started charging for returns. On 3 May 2023, the brand announced that they’d be charging £1.95 for every return. This means if you paid for your postage, it will cost you £5.90 altogether for a wasted order.
You’ll be charged the £1.95 when the refund is issued, as it’s deducted from your refund. While Zara was one of the first to start charging for returns, they’re certainly not the only brand doing so. All Boohoo brands now charge £1.99 for returns, New Look charges £1.99, Next charges £2.50 and most recently, H&M has started charging £1.99 per return.
Nick Carroll, Mintel’s associate director of retail research, told the BBC that allowing free returns in-store encourages shoppers to return to physical stores. He added, “You also get the products back into shops quicker, which is more cost effective, and plus you have the possibility of impulse purchases once the shoppers are in the stores.”
If you want to avoid paying for Zara returns, you can take your order back to any store and you’ll be refunded in full. While this will take a little bit more effort and time, you will save £1.95 that you’d otherwise be charged for if you posted the order back to the brand instead. Unfortunately there’s no way to avoid paying the charge if you do post your order back.
No. If you’re sending an item back via Royal Mail, you can show the QR code that was sent to your email to the assistant and they will print a label for you. This is also the same if sending back via Evri (formerly Hermes), but you need to make sure you click the right option.
Yes, but only for defective products. If you’re returning an item in pristine condition but perhaps isn’t in your size, you won’t be refunded for the product’s shipping cost when you return it.
According to Which, a retailer has ‘no legal obligation to give you your money back, should you return an item without a receipt. However, many stores will offer an exchange or credit note, so it’s always worth asking.’
In my experience, I have attempted to return a faulty Zara bag months after it broke and they were unable to do anything about it. While it was sold out, they couldn’t give me a gift card or credit note without a receipt, so it’s worth keeping yours safe.
Having said this, Zara’s website states that they will offer you a gift card as a gesture of good will if you return an item without a receipt. The gift card offered will be to the value of the current retail price of the item you’re returning, so if it’s very old or there has been a recent sale, this might be very low.
If you paid with a Zara gift card, you’ll get a new physical gift card as a refund. You’ll need to return the item to a Zara store in order to receive the new gift card. Unfortunately, you can’t get a refund back onto the original gift card, even if there’s still money left on it.
There is no legal obligation to give a receipt in the UK. However it’s worth getting an email receipt and storing them in a dedicated receipts folder, so if you later find the item you purchased to be faulty, you have proof of purchase.
Yes, you can return sale items at Zara! The good news is, sale items follow the same return policy as regular priced items. You have 30 days from the purchase date to return them.
Once you return your Zara item, you’ll receive email confirmation when the return is processed. However, patience is required! It can take up to 14 days for Zara to process your refund and return the money to your original payment method.
Wondering if Zara received your return? Keep an eye on your inbox! Zara will send you an email notification once they’ve successfully processed your return. This is your confirmation that they’ve received your items.
If you prefer to return your Zara purchase in person, you can! Head to your local store with the item and your receipt. They’ll be happy to process your return and issue a refund back to your original payment method – but keep in mind, cash refunds aren’t available in store
This has happened to me on multiple occasions.
I spoke to customer services last time as I panicked, and they told me that the returns go to different departments, which work at different paces.
Whenever this has happened, I’ve later received another email confirming the return of the missed items, but if you haven’t received this a couple of days after receiving the original email, it’s worth chasing up.
Swimwear and underwear is accepted if it still has the hygiene sticker in tact, but for menswear and childrenswear, Zara won’t accept returns for underwear.
Customisable items and baby shower gift packs won’t be accepted either.
Yes, you can ask for a gift receipt in both stores and online. If shopping in-store, you can ask the sales assistant while they’re putting through the sale. When shopping online, you need to add the items you want to buy to your basket and you’ll be given the option of selecting the gift receipt.
Please note that every item will be included in the gift receipt if shopping online, but if shopping in-store you can request just a few items to be included on the gift receipt.
There are many ways to get in touch with Zara if you have a problem with your order or refund request.
You can either call Zara on 0800 030 4238, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 7.30pm, or Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
There are a few different delivery options when ordering from Zara. These vary depending on the region you order from, but the fastest delivery option is express delivery. This takes around one-two days, but during the pandemic, I’ve experienced delays with this.
Store deliveries take three to five days, while standard delivery takes around two to four days.
Need an item to come quickly? Zara offers express delivery, which usually comes the following day, depending on where you’re ordering from. It’s safest to expect it to take one-two days.
Please note, we cannot help you with your Zara order as we’re not affiliated with the brand.
Struggling with ASOS returns? Here’s our handy guide for that too.
According to their Terms & Conditions, Zara can refuse returns if the products are altered or have missing tags on the garment. For accessories and perfumes, they must be in their original condition and original packaging.
Another reason they can reject your return is that it didn’t meet the 30-day window. The brand will send you an email or return the package.
Zara is strict about the condition of the products that can and cannot be returned. Different terms and conditions exist for specific items like underwear, swimwear, accessories, and other special packs.
Swimwear must be unworn and include the hygiene sticker, while underwear and bodysuits can’t be exchanged or returned. If you bought special packs, you must return them as a whole and not separately.
If you don’t follow these specific terms, they can reject your return.
Unfortunately, the brand doesn’t have a holiday return policy, so any purchase you make during the holidays falls under regular terms and conditions.
However, there are some cases you can negotiate for special consideration if you weren’t responded to promptly by customer service. This happens only rarely, though.
If you’re returning a perfume or candle to Zara, it must be in its original sealed packaging. One Reddit user explained how she took a sealed Zara perfume into a store to return, and even though it was sealed, a store assistant refused to take the return. Luckily when she spoke to the manager, she was then allowed to return it. If this happens to you, ask to speak to the manager of the store and show them the Zara returns conditions as listed.
Yes, Zara holds sales twice a year: summer and winter. The summer sale typically starts in the third week of June and lasts through July, with discounts of up to 50% off. The winter sale begins on Boxing Day (December 26) and runs for a similar duration.
Yes, you can return sale items at Zara! They follow the same return policy as full-priced items. You have 30 days from the purchase date to return any item, as long as it’s still in its original condition with all tags attached. Just make sure you bring it back to a store in the same region where you bought it.
There isn’t a Zara sale happening right now. The recent summer sale ended in mid-June, and many popular items sold out quickly. Keep an eye out for the next big Zara sale, which is expected around Black Friday.
Yes, Zara takes part in Black Friday every year. In 2023, the sale started the night before Black Friday and lasted until the end of the shopping day. Zara offered up to 40% off selected items. We’re expecting a similar sale in 2024 too.
Daisy Jordan is a Content Creator and Wear Next’s Founder and Editor. Daisy’s experience spans journalism and styling and she has worked for titles including Grazia, Metro, OK! Online and Fabulous, and fashion brands Oasis and Warehouse. Daisy loves maximalist fashion and is rarely seen in anything other than a bright colour or bold print. She oversees all of Wear Next’s fashion content.
