Shoppers planning to return or exchange holiday gifts this season may be met with unexpected fees, even when they have a receipt. Many major retailers now charge return fees ranging from $7 to $12, a growing trend that consumer advocates say is becoming more common across the retail industry.
Stores including T.J. Maxx and Marshalls charge customers $12 per return, while retailers such as J.Crew, H&M, and Macy’s charge fees of $8 or more. In most cases, the return fee is deducted directly from the customer’s refund rather than charged separately.
The policy shift is especially noticeable for items purchased online and returned by mail. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), 72% of merchants surveyed in 2025 said they charged a return fee for at least one item during the past year, up from 66% in 2024. Retailers cited higher shipping costs, return fraud, and processing expenses as key reasons for implementing the fees, noting that many shoppers have become more accepting of the added cost.
Return policies vary widely by retailer. T.J. Maxx and Marshalls deduct $11.99 per package from refunds for mailed returns, while JCPenney and J.Crew charge about $8. Some retailers have also introduced restocking fees, designed in part to discourage excessive returns and reduce strain on warehouses and stores.
Shoppers are also being reminded to pay attention to return deadlines. Major retailers including Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy typically require holiday returns to be completed by mid- to late January. The NRF estimates that 19% of all online purchases in 2025 will be returned, with total retail returns projected to reach $849.9 billion nationwide.
Despite the rise in fees, many large retailers — including Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Nordstrom — still offer free returns on most items and extend return windows through January.
Consumer experts recommend reviewing return policies before making purchases, keeping original packaging when possible, and acting quickly after the holidays to avoid fees or missed deadlines.
