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Instacart Refund Policy

Last verified: 2026-03-19

Official Instacart PolicyVerified

www.instacart.com/help/article/returns-policy

Summary

Instacart offers refunds within 3 days of pickup or delivery (excluding restaurant orders). Processing time: Immediately (by Instacart); 5-10 business days (for funds to appear in bank/credit card account). Refund methods include credit and original payment method. Self-report problems with order within refund window.

Refund Window

3 days of pickup or delivery (excluding restaurant orders)

Processing Time

Immediately (by Instacart); 5-10 business days (for funds to appear in bank/credit card account)

Refund Method

Credit

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How to Get a Refund — Step by Step

  1. 1Tap the Account icon > Orders in the Instacart app
  2. 2Tap Get help on the relevant order
  3. 3Tap the issue you experienced
  4. 4If you selected an item issue, choose the affected item(s)
  5. 5Select the option you prefer or tap Help center to contact support

When You Can Get a Refund

  • Self-report problems with order within refund window
  • Order is missing items charged for on final receipt
  • Order contains damaged, spoiled, or otherwise unusable items
  • Missing or damaged item is high-value/certified delivery and returned in-store at eligible retailers
  • Not all issues automatically qualify for a credit or refund

All Refund Methods

  • Credit
  • Original payment method
  • In-store return (for high-value/certified delivery items at eligible retailers)
  • PayPal
  • Klarna

Partial Refunds

  • Instacart may issue a partial refund or credit for an item if only a portion of an item is missing or damaged.

Dispute Process

  • Customers can self-report any problems with their order within 3 days of pickup or delivery via the Instacart app or website by navigating to 'Account' > 'Orders' > 'Get help' on the relevant order, then selecting the issue and preferred resolution.

Additional Notes

  • Instacart may issue a partial refund or credit for an item if only a portion is missing or damaged
  • Same-day refunds don’t appear as separate line items; instead, an adjustment to the original charge
  • If entire order is same-day refunded, original charge disappears from statement
  • Instacart credits automatically apply during checkout on next order