Temu Return and Refund Policy FAQ: How It Actually Works in Europe

Temu’s standard return window is 90 days from delivery for most items — longer than most European retailers offer, which surprises a lot of first-time buyers who assume a low-cost platform means a restrictive returns policy. It doesn’t. Here’s how the process actually works end to end.

We track Temu across every European market we cover, so this covers the general policy plus the country-specific details worth knowing.

The core question

How long do I actually have to return something?

90 days from the delivery date for most categories — a notably generous window compared to typical European retail, which usually runs somewhere between 14 and 30 days depending on the retailer and country. Some categories (perishables, certain personalised items) are excluded from returns entirely, which is disclosed on the specific product listing before you buy.

Who pays for return shipping?

For most standard returns, Temu covers return shipping — you won’t pay out of pocket to send an item back for typical reasons (wrong size, changed your mind, not as described). This is genuinely more generous than a lot of the local competitors it’s up against; see our Temu Europe hub for country-specific competitor context.

How do I actually start a return?

Through the Temu app — find the order, select the item, choose a return reason, and the app generates a prepaid return label along with drop-off instructions (varies by country: a locker, a post office, or a courier pickup depending on local infrastructure). No need to contact customer service for standard returns.

How long does the refund take once I’ve sent the item back?

Typically about a week from when the returned item is scanned at the drop-off point or collected by the courier — refunds process back to your original payment method, not as platform credit, for standard returns.

Does the return process differ by country?

The policy itself is consistent, but the physical return mechanics vary — which carrier handles the pickup or drop-off (Royal Mail/Evri in the UK, DHL/Hermes in Germany, Correos in Spain) follows the same carrier network that handles inbound delivery, covered in our Temu shipping times piece.

What if the item arrives damaged or clearly wrong?

Same 90-day process, but flag it as “damaged” or “not as described” rather than a standard return — this routes to a slightly different handling process and, in our experience, tends to resolve faster since it doesn’t require the item to be sent back in original condition the way a standard “changed my mind” return does.

Can I exchange an item instead of just returning it for a refund?

Temu doesn’t run a direct exchange mechanism — the standard process is return for refund, then place a new order for the size or variant you actually want. It’s an extra step compared to a direct exchange, but the fast refund turnaround means the practical delay is usually short, and ordering the replacement immediately rather than waiting for the refund to land first avoids losing time on the new item’s own delivery window.

FAQ

Does Temu’s 90-day return window apply to every product category? Most categories, yes, though a handful of exclusions exist (perishables, certain personalised or hygiene-sensitive items) — check the specific listing’s return terms before buying anything unusual.

Do I need the original packaging to return a Temu item? Generally recommended but not always strictly required for standard returns — check the specific return flow in the app, which will flag if packaging is needed for that particular item.

Is a Temu refund the same as store credit? No — standard refunds return to your original payment method, not platform credit, unless you specifically choose a credit option where offered.

What happens if I miss the 90-day window? Returns outside the window generally aren’t accepted through the standard process — it’s a long window by industry standards, so this is rarely an issue if you check items reasonably promptly after delivery.

We track Temu deals and policies across every country — check our UK Temu page for the current tracked offer.