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Return policy

A return policy is a store's terms for taking goods back, such as the time limit, the return method and who pays, which Google can show next to its products.

How it works

A policy covers the countries you choose. It sets the return window in days after delivery (or no returns), return methods, return shipping and restocking fees, and refund time. It also links to the policy page, which Google asks to keep open without signing in. Review of a new policy can take up to 10 business days.

Google takes the policy from four sources, strongest first:

  1. Return settings sent through the API. Google’s list still names the Content API for Shopping, replaced by the Merchant API on 18 August 2026.
  2. Settings in Merchant Center or Search Console.
  3. Product-level markup.
  4. Organisation-level MerchantReturnPolicy structured data.

A product’s return_policy_label picks one of several policies. One without a label is its country’s default. Since August 2026 an item can also override the account policy with its own returns attribute.

EU law sets the floor for the window: an online buyer can cancel within 14 days of delivery without giving a reason, with exceptions such as personalised goods. For what else a new market needs, see selling in Europe from Ukraine and Merchant Center for several countries.

Where you see it

Google Search can show the policy next to the store’s products and in knowledge panels.

Example

Example store, not client data.

The tableware shop’s default policy for Czechia gives 30 days and free returns by post. Plates printed with a customer’s own design carry the label personalised; their policy takes back only defective goods.

Not to be confused with

  • Return rate — the share of orders that come back.
  • Shipping settings — what delivery to the buyer costs and how long it takes. The return shipping fee belongs to the return policy.

Right and wrong readings

  • Wrong: “Our site has return policy markup, so that is what Google shows.” Right: settings in Merchant Center or Search Console outrank markup. With both Search Console settings and markup, Google uses only Search Console.

Sources