Restocking Fee
A restocking fee is a charge deducted from a refund to cover the cost of processing a returned item.
Why it matters for ecommerce brands
Can reduce returns but may lower conversion. State laws and marketplace policies may limit it.
Common questions
- Is it legal to charge a restocking fee?
- In most US states it is legal if the fee is clearly disclosed in the return policy before purchase. Some states have specific return policy disclosure rules, so check the states you sell into.
Cite this entry
"Restocking Fee." Fulfillment Lexicon, last reviewed October 16, 2026. https://fulfillment.wiki/glossary/restocking-fee/