Old Navy return policy: 30 days, a $6 mail fee, and Gap rules

This guide follows Old Navy’s Returns and Exchanges page and the Old Navy tab of Gap Inc.’s Return Policy FAQ, as read on October 20, 2026. Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta belong to the same company and share most of these rules.

How long do you have to return something to Old Navy?

30 days: from the delivery date for online orders, from the purchase date for store purchases. Items have to be unwashed and unworn. Some Encore members get longer, but only for store credit:

Who	Window	After day 30
Everyone	30 days	Not accepted (see the exceptions below)
Encore Premier members	Up to 45 days	Merchandise Return Card (store credit)
Encore All-Access cardmembers	Up to 60 days	Merchandise Return Card

The extra days count only if you were signed in online, or gave your phone number at the register, when you bought.

Does Old Navy charge for returns?

In a store, no. By mail, nonmembers pay a $6 return shipping fee, and Encore members mail returns free. Encore membership is free to join, but Old Navy doesn’t say whether joining after you buy waives the fee on that order. Exchanges by mail are free for everyone, and items shipped and sold by third-party sellers on Old Navy’s site return free.

Only online orders can be mailed back. Store purchases have to go back to a store.

Can you return Old Navy items to Gap, or Gap items to Old Navy?

No. Gap Inc. says store returns must go to the same brand you bought from: a Gap item can’t be returned at Old Navy, and an Old Navy item can’t go to Gap, Banana Republic, or Athleta. Online orders can go back to an Old Navy store, except items marked “return by mail only,” items from third-party sellers, and orders placed through TikTok Shop, DoorDash, other outside marketplaces, or Shopify; those go back through the place you bought them.

What can’t you return to Old Navy?

• Final sale items and anything from the Encore Market.
• Masks.
• Old Navy Beauty Co products that are opened or used; unopened ones go back in a store only.
• Swimwear without its original tags and hygienic liner.
• Sunglasses after 30 days from delivery, or without the receipt and tags (defective ones any time).

Damaged or defective items can be returned at any time. Old Navy’s Kid’s Guarantee goes further for kids’ clothing and shoes: a refund up to one year after purchase for manufacturing defects such as holes, rips, or broken zippers, in an Old Navy or Old Navy Outlet store, with the receipt or shipping email.

What does Old Navy refund, and to what?

You need proof of purchase: the shipping confirmation email, the store receipt, or the credit card you paid with.

You paid with, or returned	Refund
A credit card	The same card; your bank can take up to 10 more business days to post it
A gift card	A new gift card
PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Klarna, Afterpay	Back through that service
A promo code or discount	An exchange for the same style in another size or color
Encore points	Points back to your account in 1 to 2 days
A gift with a gift receipt or invoice	A gift card for the purchase price
A gift without a receipt	A merchandise certificate at the current selling price

When is the Old Navy holiday return deadline for 2026?

Items bought online or in stores from October 15 through December 24 can be returned through January 15, or 30 days from delivery (online) or purchase (store), whichever is later. You need proof of purchase, and items from third-party sellers are left out.

1. Bought Oct 15 January 15, 2027
2. Bought Nov 27 January 15, 2027
3. Bought Dec 16 January 15, 2027 (30 days ends the same day)
4. Bought Dec 24 January 23, 2027 (30 days is later) (key date)

Counted with a calendar script from Old Navy's rule: January 15 or 30 days after purchase, whichever is later. Online orders count from delivery.

For other stores’ 2026 dates, see holiday return deadlines by store.