How to Cancel an Online Order Immediately or After Shipment

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Easily cancel orders from Amazon, Walmart, & more

Co-authored by Nicole Levine, MFA Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: March 7, 2026 Fact Checked

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Canceling Immediately

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Canceling After Shipment

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Returning & Exchanging Items

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Cancellation Tips

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

Online shoppers are no strangers to “buyer’s remorse.” If you're regretting your online order or accidentally ordered the wrong thing, you can usually cancel an order shortly after placing it. This is easiest before the item has shipped, but you may still be able to cancel an order after shipment, or at least return it for a refund if it's too late to cancel. Read on to learn how to cancel an order you placed online so you can get your money back. Just keep in mind that cancellation policies vary by retailer.

Cancel an Order Online: What to Know

To cancel an online order, go to the Orders area of the app or website, select the order, and choose the Cancel option.
If an order has already been shipped, you may not have the option to cancel. In this case, contact customer service, or refuse the delivery.
If the order arrives, you can usually return it using the included return slip.

Section 1 of 4:

Canceling Immediately

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1
Pull up your order history. After placing the order on an app or website, locate the area that displays a list of your recent orders. Most retailers allow you to cancel an order shortly after ordering quite easily.
- For example, you're canceling an Amazon order, tap the outline of a person in the app, then select Orders. Or, you can go to the Orders Page in a web browser.^{[1]
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- Most big-name retailers have a simple cancellation procedure in place, while some consumer-to-consumer sites, like eBay, may not allow order cancellations on some purchases.
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Select the order you want to cancel. This will typically display additional information about the order, including whether or not the order has been shipped.
- Depending on the merchant, you may not be able to cancel orders that have already been shipped or have entered the shipment process.^{[2]
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3
Click or tap the option to cancel the order. The name of this option will vary, as will the rules that dictate whether the option will be available. Depending on the merchant, you may need to choose a cancellation reason, as well as provide additional details about why you are cancelling.
- If the order has already been shipped, you may still be able to cancel the order by contacting customer service via phone, email, or chat.
- You may need to click or tap Cancel or follow additional steps to confirm the cancellation.
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Check your email for a confirmation message. In nearly all cases, you will receive an email confirming that your order has been canceled. Be sure to save a copy of the email in case you need it.
- Depending on the merchant, you may get your money back right away or within 5-7 days. Other merchants don't actually charge you until the item ships. To see if you've been charged yet, check your bank statement.

Section 2 of 4:

Canceling After Shipment

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Check the confirmation email for your order to see if there are any phone numbers, email addresses, or links to chat support. If not, try logging in to the website or app in which you placed the order and looking for the order itself. There may be an option to get help with the order somewhere near the order number and/or shipment date. In some cases, the customer service representative can stop the shipment in transit.
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Refuse the shipment if you cannot cancel it. If the order has already been shipped and you're home when it is delivered, you should be able to refuse the order as long as you are able ot speak with the delivery person. Refusing the order causes it to be returned to the merchant.
- If you refuse the shipment, contact customer service to let them know you've done so. They will be able to inform you of any next steps.
3
Return the merchandise if you cannot cancel or refuse the order. In the case of Amazon and many other retailers, you can usually return the order to get your money back. Don't open the package, as this can sometimes result in you having to pay a restocking fee. To learn how to return an item to the retailer, check out these helpful wikiHow articles:^{[3]
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Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing

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Section 3 of 4:

Returning and Exchanging Merchandise

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1
Look for instructions in the package. If you want to return an item you've already purchased or exchange it for another item, you'll usually need the return slip included in the package. There should be instructions on the slip. If not, you likely just need to pack the item(s) securely in a box and affix the return sticker to prepare the item for return.
- If there is no return slip in your package or if there are no instructions, check the retailer's website for their specific instructions.
- Make a copy of the return slip for your records.
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Initiate a return on the retailer's website (if possible). In the case of Amazon and some other retailers, you'll want to initiate a return on the website or app. As long as you're within the return window, this process should be simple.^{[4]
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- For example, if you're using Amazon, you can open your Order History, select Return or replace items, select the items you want to return, and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Once you initialize the return, you'll receive instructions on how to send the item back to the retailer. In the case of Amazon, you may be given the choice to return the item to a few different locations, such as a UPS Store, Whole Foods, or an Amazon drop-off site.
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Bring the item to the appropriate shipment location. Bring the item to the location indicated by the retailer, or to any shipment location for the company listed on the return label included with your purchase. For example, if there's a USPS return label, you'll need to go to the post office to ship the item back. If it's a FedEx label, drop it off at a FedEx location.
- It is a good idea to get a delivery confirmation and a tracking number when making returns.
- Different retailers have different return policies. Some will cover the cost of the return shipment, while others require the buyer to pay for the shipping costs.

Section 4 of 4:

Tips for a Smooth Order Cancellation

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After making an online purchase, don't delete the order confirmation. Take screenshots of any important customer service numbers, links, or cancellation policy information. This way, if you need to cancel the order, you will have easy access to the company’s cancellation procedure.
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Know the cancellation policy before you buy. Before you spend the money on an item, make sure you understand the retailer's cancellation and return policies.
- If the retailer doesn’t list a cancellation policy, but you follow up, courts and credit card companies often still rule in favor of the customer. If the company says that cancellations are not accepted, it is unlikely that you will receive support through your credit card company.^{[5]
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  Federal Trade Commission
  Website with up-to-date information for consumers from the Federal Trade Commisson
  
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Contact customer service if you have any questions. The company's customer service department should be able to explain cancellation and return policies and guide you through the process. They'll also be able to give you an estimate of how long it will take to receive your refund.^{[6]
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- In the case of consumer-to-consumer e-commerce, you will need to email the seller and negotiate a cancellation or return. This is the preferred way to handle Etsy and eBay transactions. Be courteous and ask for a full refund. After they have given the refund and cancelled your order, leave a positive review on their site to reward good customer service.
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Check your credit card bill. To make sure you receive your refund, check your credit card or banking statement. You may not receive an email when the money is actually refunded to your account.
- Follow up if the money is not credited within 15 to 30 days.

Community Q&A

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Question

How to I cancel an order for goods not yet delivered?

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Community Answer

That depends on the merchant's policy and whether or not the item has been shipped. If you contact the merchant before shipping, they may be able to stop the order process.

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Question

What can I do if a company shipped my package after I cancelled my order, but they have no contact information on their website for returns?

Community Answer

The specific return policy depends on the company, but if there is no contact information on their website, I would suggest just keeping the package.

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