How to Return an Item to Gap

Budget Fashionista provides this review of how to return an item to Gap for informational purposes only. These policies are subject to change.

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How to return an item to Gap

Timing: 30 days

You have 30 days from the purchase date or ship date to return your unwanted items to Gap. Note that for online purchases, the 30-day window starts from your ship date, which is before you received it.

Gap does have an extended holiday season return window. For 2023, items you purchased between October 15 and December 24 can be returned within 30 days or by January 15, 2024 — whichever is later.

Products you can return to Gap

You can return unwashed, unworn, or defective items with a few exceptions:

• Masks and final sale items cannot be returned or exchanged.
• You can only return swimwear if it has the original tags and hygienic liner still attached.
• You can only return sunglasses if you bring back the complimentary case and the glasses still have the tags attached.
• Items shipped and sold by third-party sellers have their own return policy. Check with the seller.

Return shipping is free

You can mail in returns for free using Gap’s shipping label. You can also return items for free by taking them into a Gap store.

Online vs. in-store returns

You can return online purchases by mail or in the same store brand. That is, if you bought it on gap.com, you must return it in a Gap store (not, say, Banana Republic).

Items purchased in a store must be returned in a store.

Refunds: Keep the receipt

If you want a refund to your original form of payment, you must keep the receipt or shipping confirmation. Gap requires either proof of purchase. If you’ve lost the paperwork, you can take the item into a Gap store and show the credit card used to make the purchase.

Exchanges

For exchanges, either take the item into a Gap store or process the exchange as a return first, then a new purchase.

Gift returns

You can return a gift with a gift receipt and receive a gift card in the amount of the purchase price. If you don’t have a gift receipt, Gap will mail you a merchandise credit for the current selling price of that item.

How to return an item to Gap: Next steps

• Locate a store near you. In-store returns are faster. You can find a store here.
• If you can’t or don’t want to take your return into a store, start your return here. You’ll need your order ID.
• Print the free shipping label. Take a photo of your packing slip. Pack up your item with tags and paperwork, plus any other freebies it came with. Drop it at the nearest shipping location. See the label for more details.

You can find Gap’s official return policy here. Want to avoid Gap returns in the future? See our post on How to Shop Gap.

For more information on return policies for your favorite shops, see these guides from our How to Shop Guide.

Banana Republic Return Policy
Dillards Return Policy
DSW Return Policy
J Crew Return Policy
Lord and Taylor Return Policy
Marshalls Return Policy
Modcloth Returns
Neiman Marcus Return Policy
Old Navy Returns
Payless Return Policy
Saks Return Policy
Urban Outfitters Return Policy
Walgreens Return Policy