Zara vs H&M Return Policy

Zara

• Items need to be in their original condition and with all their labels.
• All items must be unused, unwashed, and have all original tags attached.
• The return must be handled within the established period.
• Returns must be made in the same market/region where the purchase was made.

H&M

• A valid receipt is required; merchandise cannot be returned or exchanged without one.
• Items must be in resellable condition and not damaged, soiled, washed, altered or worn.
• All labels and tags must be attached.
• Furniture must be disassembled and returned by mail in its original packaging.

Zara

• Personalized items are not permitted for returns or exchanges due to their custom nature.
• Fragrances must be returned in the original sealed packaging.
• Cosmetics must be returned unused, sealed, and in original packaging.
• Swimwear must include the hygiene strip.
• Men's undergarments may not be exchanged or returned.
• Kids' undergarments cannot be returned or exchanged, with exceptions for socks, tights, tops, bodysuits, and undershirts still in original packaging.
• Items from the 50CREATORS collection cannot be returned or exchanged.

H&M

• Final sale for hygiene reasons: bodysuits, hosiery, underwear (excluding bras), swimwear without the hygienic seal (excluding bikini tops), opened cosmetics, earrings and face masks.
• Items marked 'Final Sale' and red-sticker sale items bought in store cannot be returned or exchanged.
• Gift cards and Pre-Loved purchases are final sale.
• Restricted items cannot be returned.
• Special collections and designer collaborations may have a different return policy.
• Items bought with a discount code or during a sitewide promotion are returnable unless marked 'Final Sale'.

Zara

• Refunds are made via the same payment method used for the purchase.
• If a refund to the original method of payment is not possible, store staff will indicate an alternative method.
• Returns of items purchased with a Gift Card will be reimbursed on a Gift Card.

H&M

• Original form of payment.
• Purchases paid with an H&M gift card are refunded to a new H&M e-Gift Card.
• Returns with an H&M gift receipt are refunded as merchandise credit.
• Optional H&M Merchandise Card when registering an online return (not available for Klarna payments).

Zara

• Online returns can be initiated through your Zara account in the 'Returns' section (registered users) or via the 'Manage Your Order' link in order/shipment confirmation emails (guest users).
• You can return items by leaving your package at a delivery point.
• A cost of $4.95 per return request will be subtracted from your refund for drop-off point returns.
• Instructions and labels will be emailed after requesting a return.

H&M

• Register the return in the Returns Portal, then show the QR code at USPS or print and attach the prepaid label.
• Online returns must be postmarked within 30 days of the delivery date.
• The $5.99 return shipping fee is deducted from your refund.
• Online orders can also be returned free in any H&M store in the US (excluding Puerto Rico) with the e-receipt from your shipping confirmation email.
• H&M HOME items bought online must be returned by mail.
• Free In-store Pickup orders can only be returned in stores.

Zara

• Returns can be made free of charge at any Zara store.
• In-store return is available for both online and physical store purchases.
• Present the items to return along with your Zara QR or the receipt.
• Online orders paid at a store register must be returned in-store.

H&M

• Store purchases can be returned with a receipt within 30 days of purchase at any US H&M store (excluding Puerto Rico).
• The original payment method must be present at the time of return.
• Returns must be made in person; mail-in returns to stores are not accepted.
• H&M HOME items bought in store can only be returned to the original store or a store that carries home.

Zara

• For in-store gift purchases, refunds are issued on a Gift Card at a Zara store.
• For online gift orders, refunds are issued on a Gift Card in-store or by requesting a return through the website to receive a virtual Gift Card via email.
• Gift Cards do not expire.

H&M

• Items returned with an H&M gift receipt are refunded as merchandise credit.

Zara

Not available

H&M

• Damaged online orders must be returned to the warehouse, not to a store.
• For missing or incorrect items, contact Customer Service.

Zara

• Exchanges must be handled within 30 days from the shipment date (online purchase) or purchase date (in-store purchase).
• Items must be in original condition with all labels.
• Exchanges must be made in the same market/region where the purchase occurred.
• In-store exchanges are available for online or in-store purchases for a different size or color.
• To make an in-store exchange, present the receipt or your Zara QR.
• Online exchanges involve selecting new items and returning the unwanted ones within 14 days to avoid being charged for both.
• Online exchanges are not available for orders paid via certain online payment methods (e.g., PayPal, Apple Pay, Gift Card) or for items that are one size fits all, no longer available, or purchased with a gift receipt.

H&M

• Exchanges are offered with a receipt within 30 days of purchase.
• Exchanges are only available in store; online orders can be exchanged at any US H&M store.
• You cannot exchange online: return the item and place a new order on hm.com.
• Merchandise cannot be exchanged without a receipt.

Zara

• If items are returned through a drop-off point service, a return cost of $4.95 will be subtracted from your refund.
• If you do not see a credit to your account within 14 days, contact your banking institution with the confirmation email to facilitate the process.
• If items are sent in different packages, refunds may be issued at different times.

H&M

• A flat $5.99 fee is deducted from all mail-in returns of online purchases; in-store returns are always free.
• Shipping and handling costs are not refundable.
• H&M reserves the right to refuse excessive receipted and non-receipted returns.