How to return a Costco gift without a receipt (2026)

Short answer: Costco's official return policy doesn't mention gift receipts or returns by people who aren't the buyer, so the reliable route is to have the member who bought the gift return it at any Costco warehouse returns counter (or start an online return on Costco.com). Most merchandise has no fixed deadline, but TVs, computers, tablets, phones, cameras and other listed electronics must come back within 90 days of when the member received them.

2026 holiday return window: None stated (most items have no fixed deadline)

No extension stated

Costco's return policy answer (published Oct 2, 2025; fetched Oct 21, 2026) states no holiday extension. Most merchandise doesn't need one, because Costco's Risk-Free 100% Satisfaction Guarantee sets no fixed window. Electronics are the exception: 90 days from the date the member received them.

Returning a Costco gift with a gift receipt or proof of purchase

Costco's return policy answer says nothing about gift receipts. We couldn't confirm that a gift receipt alone works.
Warehouse purchases go back to the returns counter at any Costco warehouse. Costco.com orders can be returned at any warehouse or started online.

Returning a Costco gift without a receipt

The policy doesn't describe no-receipt or non-member returns. Costco can see purchases on a membership, so the simplest path is for the member who bought the gift to bring it back.
Costco's policy ends with "Limitations apply. See the membership counter or Costco.com for details." Ask the membership counter before you go if you're not the buyer.

What you get back: store credit, gift card or refund?

Costco says it will refund the purchase price under its satisfaction guarantee. It doesn't say what form a gift refund takes, so ask at the counter.

ID and no-receipt limits

Costco's return policy answer doesn't state an ID rule for returns.
Diamonds of 1.00 carat or more need the original IGI and/or GIA paperwork, and get a Jewelry Credit Memo pending a gemologist's inspection.

Return windows that apply to gifts

The last column shows the deadline for a gift bought (or, where the store counts from delivery, delivered) on Dec 15, 2026.

Gift	Costco's rule	Bought Dec 15, 2026
Most merchandise	No fixed window (satisfaction guarantee, with exceptions)	No fixed deadline
TVs, projectors, major appliances, computers, tablets, smart wearables, cameras, drones, camcorders, cell phones	90 days from when the member received it	Mar 15, 2027
Gift cards and tickets, Shop Cards, precious metals, airline and live-event items	Non-refundable	Not refundable
Special Order Kiosk and custom-installed products	Not returnable except warranty repair or replacement	Not returnable

Example dates add calendar days to Dec 15, 2026 (Dec 16 is day 1). If a store counts the purchase day itself as day 1, the deadline is a day earlier. Each store says whether the clock starts at purchase or at delivery; for a gift, that's when the giver bought it or it arrived, not when you opened it. Go by the date on the gift receipt or order.

Tips before you go

For cell phones, Costco says return details vary by carrier service contract.
Large freight-delivered items and hearing aids have their own return processes. Check with Costco first.

Can I return a gift to Costco without a receipt?

Costco's official return policy doesn't mention gift receipts or returns by people who aren't the buyer, so the reliable route is to have the member who bought the gift return it at any Costco warehouse returns counter (or start an online return on Costco.com). Most merchandise has no fixed deadline, but TVs, computers, tablets, phones, cameras and other listed electronics must come back within 90 days of when the member received them.

What do I get back when I return a gift to Costco?