Returning goods bought online: 14 days
Checked on 28/09/2026
For a distance contract you can withdraw within 14 days of receiving the goods, without giving a reason. That is different from a claim: the goods can be in perfect condition.
When the 14 days start
The period is 14 days from the day you, or someone you named other than the carrier, receive the goods (Article 50(2) of the Consumer Protection Act). You tell the trader before that period ends. In writing is safer, because you have to prove that you did it (Article 52).
After the notice, you send the goods back within 14 days (Article 55(1)).
When the money comes back
The trader refunds what you paid, including the cheapest standard delivery, within 14 days of the notice (Article 54). They may wait until they receive the goods or proof that you sent them. They do not have to refund an express delivery you chose yourself.
You pay the direct cost of returning the goods, unless the trader agreed to pay it or failed to tell you that it is yours (Article 55(2)).
When the 14 days do not apply
There is no withdrawal for goods made to your specification, for unsealed hygiene packaging that cannot be returned, for unsealed software or recordings, for goods that spoil quickly, and for some services on a specific date (Article 57). If the trader never told you about the right to withdraw, the period becomes one year and 14 days (Article 51(1)).
How this differs from a claim
Withdrawal is 'I changed my mind', and it lasts about two weeks after delivery. A claim is 'the goods do not conform', and it lasts up to two years, including for a purchase in a shop.
Sources
This is general information as of the review date, not legal advice. If a seller refuses a claim, you can complain to the Commission for Consumer Protection.