Return your online purchase

A woman looks at her mobile phone and smiles, holding a package with a return label under her arm.A woman looks at her mobile phone and smiles, holding a package with a return label under her arm.A woman looks at her mobile phone and smiles, holding a package with a return label under her arm.

Learn how to make a return

Discover how to return an online purchase – whether your merchant sends a pre-printed label, provides instructions for printing a label at home or at the post office, or sends a QR code for an unpackaged return.

If you have a Return ID, you can get a return label.

Get a return label

If the retailer pays for returns

Different retailers offer different return options. You will need to identify the option provided by your merchant – look for return instructions in your package, in an email from the merchant, or on their website.

Print at a post office

You receive instructions from the merchant to have the label printed at a post office (label-free return).

  1. Prepare your package: Place the item in its original packaging.
  2. Visit a post office: Bring your package and return authorization (QR code or Return ID) to the counter. The clerk will print the label and take your return.

Print at home

The merchant provides instructions for printing your own return label at home.

  1. Prepare your package: Place the item in its original packaging, print the label and apply it to the package.
  2. Send your package: Drop it off at any post office or street letter box or book a home pickup for your return (for a small flat fee).

Unpackaged returns

You receive a QR code from the merchant or Canada Post that states “box-free.”

  1. Visit a post office: Bring your item in the manufacturer’s packaging (no shipping box) and QR code to the counter. The clerk will print the label and take your return.

Label in the box

You receive a pre-printed return label included with your original shipment.

  1. Prepare your package: Place the item in its original packaging and apply the return label.
  2. Send your package: Drop it off at any post office or street letter box or book a home pickup for your return (for a small flat fee).

Amazon returns at Canada Post

Choose from two Canada Post options for all your Amazon Returns.

  1. Label-free Box-free: Skip the box and the label — you won't need either. Start your return on Amazon.ca, select Canada Post as your drop-off option, and you'll receive a QR code. Just bring your item and the QR code to a participating Canada Post location.
  2. Print your return label:
    • Pack your item securely, print your return label and affix it to your package
    • Drop it off at the post office or street letter box or schedule a home pickup.

Ready to return your online purchase?

Find a post office or drop off your labelled package in a street letter box* or schedule a home pickup.

*The following package dimensions will fit in a street letter box: 28 cm x 21.5 cm x 14 cm or 36 cm x 19 cm x 11 cm.

Home Pickup

Schedule a home pickup using the Canada Post app and have us collect up to 3 return packages right from your door – for a small flat fee.

  1. Prepare your package: Seal your package(s) and attach a Canada Post shipping label.
  2. Book a pickup: Open the Canada Post app, choose a date that works for you and we'll pick it up Monday to Friday between 9 am and 5 pm.
Photo of smiling woman holding a medium-size package that is ready for Home Pickup.

If the retailer doesn’t pay for returns

A woman prepares a package for an online return.

You can use Ship Online to create, pay for and print a label online. If you don’t have a printer, you can still purchase the label online and visit a post office to have it printed.

Otherwise, simply bring your package to a post office and our agents can help you with options for returning the item yourself. You can use a flat rate box or explore other sending solutions.

Please note

Shipping to the U.S. has recently changed. All postal shipments to the U.S. require prepaid duties before your package crosses the border. Learn more about the U.S. de minimis suspension.

Tracking your return

You can track your return package once it’s been scanned at a Canada Post facility.

Depending on the return option used, you can find the tracking number:

  • On the return label (usually located below the barcode)
  • In the email confirmation from Canada Post
  • On the Canada Post mobile app or website if you used Self Scan or created the label online

You can also use the Canada Post mobile app to scan and track returns.

A woman reads Canada Post tracking information on her mobile phone.

Frequently asked questions