← All comparisons

Express vs Banana Republic Return Policy

Side-by-side comparison of return policys, conditions, and refund methods.·Last updated: 2026-03-19

Quick Summary

Express offers a 30 days after the purchase or online shipping date. return window, while Banana Republic offers 30 days from delivery date for online purchases or date-of-purchase for in-store purchases.. Express can look up purchases without a receipt, and Banana Republic requires a receipt. Express offers a holiday return extension. Banana Republic offers a holiday return extension. See the full breakdown below.

Express Holiday Extension

For merchandise purchased between Saturday, November 15, 2025, and Wednesday, December 31, 2025, with an original receipt or order confirmation, returns for a full refund to the original form of payment are accepted. With a gift receipt, returns are for a store credit of the purchase price. This Holiday Return Policy Extension ends on January 31, 2026.

Banana Republic Holiday Extension

Items purchased online or in stores between October 15 and December 24 may be returned through January 15 of the following year, or 30 days from the delivery date (online purchases) or date-of-purchase (in-store purchases), whichever is later. Proof of purchase is required.

Return Conditions

Express

  • Merchandise must be returned in its original condition, unwashed and unworn (this does not include merchandise that is defective).
  • Items with “Do Not Remove” tags must be attached to be returned or exchanged.
  • All tags must be intact with the product.

Banana Republic

  • Items must be in their original condition: unwashed and unworn.
  • Swimwear must have the original price tags and hygienic liner intact.
  • New sunglasses may be returned within 30 days of delivery date if accompanied by the original receipt and complimentary case, with tags attached.

Exceptions & Restrictions

Express

  • We will not accept a return or exchange if requested more than 30 days after the purchase or online shipping date.
  • Items purchased at Express Factory Outlet stores must be returned to an Express Factory Outlet store.
  • Items purchased in stores cannot be returned in stores outside the U.S. or at Express Factory Outlet stores.
  • Shipping and handling fees are not refundable.
  • Items marked Final Sale or items that have a price ending in .97 may not be returnable.
  • Face coverings are non-returnable.
  • Clearance items are considered final sale, meaning no returns or exchanges are allowed.
  • Third-party branded products, including Express Marketplace items, must be returned directly to the seller.
  • Certain merchandise such as fragrance or swimwear may not be eligible for return unless in original condition.

Banana Republic

  • Final sale items cannot be returned or exchanged.
  • Items shipped and sold by third-party sellers are excluded from the extended holiday return policy and must be returned through the third-party seller.
  • Encore Market items are final sale and cannot be returned, exchanged, or refunded.
  • Masks are final sale and are not eligible for returns and exchanges.
  • TikTok currently does not support direct exchanges; return the original item and place a new order for the replacement.
  • C.O.D. deliveries are not accepted for returns.

Refund Methods

Express

  • Refunds will be issued to your original payment method.
  • Returns of purchases made with a gift card and returns of purchases with a gift receipt will be issued in merchandise credit in the form of a gift card.
  • If a valid receipt or purchase cannot be confirmed, no refund or credit will be issued.
  • If a transaction cannot be located, you may exchange one piece of merchandise for merchandise equal or greater in value.

Banana Republic

  • Refunds are in the form of original payment, such as the credit card used for the order.
  • For purchases made with PayPal or Apple Pay, refunds are issued to the respective account.
  • If you pay using both a gift card and a credit card, the amounts are credited differently, with a new gift card issued for the gift card portion.
  • If the Instant Merchandise Credit option is chosen, an eMerchandise Return Card is issued instantly via email.

Online / Mail Returns

Express

  • Online purchases shipped to a U.S. address can be returned by mail or to any Express retail store in the U.S.
  • To start an online return, visit the Express website and enter your order number and billing ZIP Code.
  • If returning by mail using a prepaid return label, a cost of $6.99 will be deducted from the refund.
  • You can drop off a labeled package at a UPS Access Point location.
  • Online exchanges are not offered; if you'd like to exchange a product, return it using the returns process and then place a new order.

Banana Republic

  • Free returns and exchanges are available using a prepaid return shipping label or a third-party drop-off QR code.
  • Use the interactive online process to create and print a prepaid return label.
  • Drop off items at an authorized Happy Returns location using a drop-off QR code.
  • Alternatively, mail returns postage prepaid to 100 Gap Inc. Direct Gateway, Groveport, OH 43125.
  • Include the packing slip generated via the interactive returns process.

In-Store Returns

Express

  • Items purchased in U.S. Retail stores can be returned to an Express or Express Men retail store in the U.S.
  • Items purchased at an Express Factory Outlet store must be returned to an Express Factory Outlet store.
  • Bring the items along with your original receipt, invoice, or order confirmation.
  • Online purchases can be returned in person to an Express retail store.

Banana Republic

  • Free returns and exchanges are available in-store.
  • Bring the item along with the receipt, rewards phone number, or the credit card used for purchase.
  • Use the Store Locator to find the nearest store.

Gift Returns

Express

  • With a gift receipt, merchandise may be returned for a store credit of the purchase price.
  • Gift returns are accepted with a gift receipt or order number, and the refund is issued to an Express gift card.

Banana Republic

  • For items received as gifts, the return process depends on the original purchase method.
  • If a gift card was a gift to you, consult the 'Returning or Exchanging a Gift' section.

Membership Benefits

Express

  • Express A-List Credit Card holders get Free Standard Shipping everyday.
  • Express Cash Certificates, Program Coupons, or Points used will not be returned or reissued if products purchased are returned.

Banana Republic

  • Some Gap Inc. rewards tiers may offer longer merchandise-credit return windows for eligible members.

Damaged or Defective Items

Express

  • Merchandise must be returned in its original condition, unwashed and unworn (this does not include merchandise that is defective).

Banana Republic

  • Items that are damaged or defective may be returned or exchanged at any time.
  • Contact customer service at 800-427-7895 (U.S.) or 614-744-3907 (outside U.S.) to file a damage claim.

Price Adjustments

Express

  • A one-time price adjustment is processed for in-store purchases when the price of an item has been reduced and an original sales receipt is presented within 14 days of the purchase date.
  • Price adjustments are refunded in the same tender as the original purchase.
  • Items purchased at Express Factory Outlet stores are not eligible for price adjustments in Express or Express Men stores.
  • Price adjustments are not available during storewide promotional events.
  • Online only items will not be subject to price guarantee in store.
  • The Price Guarantee excludes Express Marketplace items and previous purchases.

Banana Republic

  • A one-time price adjustment can be requested within 14 days of the order date if an item's price decreases.
  • Items purchased with a promotional code or other discount are not eligible for price adjustments, unless only a free shipping discount was used.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for a price adjustment.
  • Price adjustments for online purchases cannot be made in a store.
  • Contact customer service with your order number to request a price adjustment.
  • Eligible price adjustments are refunded to the original form of payment.

Exchange Policy

Express

  • Exchanges are accepted for items purchased in U.S. Retail stores and online.
  • Exchanges will not be accepted if requested more than 30 days after the purchase or online shipping date.
  • Exchanges are not accepted without a receipt, invoice, or order confirmation.
  • If a valid receipt or purchase cannot be confirmed, no exchange will be issued; however, an exchange for merchandise equal or greater in value might be offered if the transaction cannot be located.
  • Online exchanges are not offered; return the product and place a new order.

Banana Republic

  • Free exchanges are available.
  • For exchanges, the unwanted item is returned, and a new purchase is made as a separate order.
  • Exchanges for the same style in another size or color are possible if a promotional code or discount was used, and the discount can't be transferred to a different style.

Additional Notes

Express

  • Express reserves the right to limit or refuse any refund or exchange.
  • Express reserves the right to revise this Return Policy at any time with or without notice.

Banana Republic

  • Banana Republic store help pages publish the same Gap Inc. 30-day return/exchange framework used across its core apparel banners, with brand-specific store restrictions.
  • Returns and exchanges can only be made at the brand of purchase (e.g., Gap items cannot be returned at Gap Factory, Old Navy, Athleta, Banana Republic, or Banana Republic Factory).
  • Original shipping and handling charges are not refunded.