Bought a gift early? Received one that doesn’t fit? Return windows matter more over the holidays than any other time of year, and they’re not as generous as many people assume. Here’s what Canadian law actually requires, how holiday return extensions work, and the standard return windows at major stores.
Do stores have to accept returns in Canada?
Not if you just changed your mind. The federal Office of Consumer Affairs is clear: businesses are not legally required to accept the return of purchased items unless they’re defective. Most stores accept returns anyway, but on their own terms: the time limit, whether you get cash or store credit, and what’s excluded are all up to the store’s posted policy.
So before you buy, especially a gift, check the return policy. It’s usually posted near the till, printed on the receipt or listed on the store’s website. If you can’t find it, ask.
How holiday return extensions work
Many retailers extend their return windows for holiday shopping, so gifts bought in November and December can be returned in January. Some recent examples:
- Best Buy: items bought November 1 to December 31, 2025 could be returned until January 11, 2026, or the item’s normal return period if that was later. Cellular devices and non-returnable items were excluded.
- Amazon.ca: in past years, items bought from November 1 to December 31 could be returned until January 31, with a shorter window for Apple products.
Retailers usually announce their holiday return dates in late October or November. We’ll update this guide with the 2026 dates as they’re announced.
Standard return windows at major stores
| Store | Standard return window |
|---|---|
| Best Buy | 30 days for most items; 15 days for cellular and wireless devices |
| Canadian Tire | 90 days for unopened items in original packaging, with a receipt |
| Costco | Most items at any time; electronics and major appliances within 90 days |
| Amazon.ca | Most items within 30 days of delivery; third-party sellers can set their own policies |
Other stores, including Walmart and Apple, set different windows for different product types, especially electronics. Check their Canadian return pages before you buy.
How to make holiday returns painless
- Ask for a gift receipt. It lets the recipient return or exchange the item without seeing the price. Without one, stores often only offer store credit, at the current (possibly lower) price.
- Keep the packaging. Many policies, especially for electronics, require items to be unopened or complete with all accessories. Opened items may face a restocking fee.
- Don’t return on Boxing Day. Some stores don’t accept returns on December 26, and the lines are at their worst. Best Buy stores, for example, were closed to returns on Boxing Day 2025.
- Watch for final-sale items. Clearance, open-box and Boxing Day doorbusters are often final sale or have shorter windows.
- Know who sold it. On Amazon.ca, Walmart.ca and Best Buy, marketplace sellers can have their own return rules.
- Check for price drops instead of returning. If a gift goes on sale right after you buy, a price adjustment may be easier than a return. Our price matching guide covers which stores offer one.
If an item is defective
A defective item is different. The store or manufacturer should repair, replace or refund it, even outside the normal return window, depending on the warranty and your province’s consumer protection law. Start with the store; if that doesn’t work, contact the manufacturer, and if you’re still stuck, your provincial or territorial consumer protection office.
Plan your holiday shopping
If you’re buying gifts early, during Black Friday or right after Christmas, check the return window before you buy. Our Boxing Day 2026 guide covers what’s worth buying and when.
FAQ
Is there a legal right to return items in Canada?
Not for a change of mind. Stores only have to accept returns of defective items. Everything else depends on the store’s own policy.
Can I return a gift without a receipt?
Sometimes, usually for store credit. A gift receipt makes it much easier, so ask for one when you buy.
Do holiday return policies apply to Boxing Day purchases?
Often, if the extension runs through December 31, but Boxing Day doorbusters and clearance items can be final sale. Check before you buy.
When do stores announce holiday return policies?
Usually in late October or November. We’ll update this guide with the 2026 dates as they’re announced.
Last checked October 2026. Return policies change, so confirm the current terms with each store before you buy.
