How to Refund on Shopify: Complete 2025 Guide

Introduction

Handling returns properly boosts trust and keeps customers happy. If you’re unsure how to refund on Shopify, this updated 2025 guide will walk you through the process—from full refunds to subscription and shipping refunds, as well as refund policy and expected Shopify refund time.

Refunding is easier than you think—but only if you do it right.

Need to process a refund in your Shopify store? Whether it’s a full refund, partial refund, or just the shipping cost — Shopify makes it easy, but there are a few details you should know.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• Full and partial refunds
• How to refund shipping
• Subscription refunds
• Bulk order refunds
• Timeline and FAQ

How to Issue a Full Refund in Shopify

1. Go to Shopify Admin → Orders
2. Click on the order you want to refund
3. Click Refund
4. Set the quantity for each product (leave all at default for full refund)
5. Choose whether to restock returned items
6. Confirm the refund

Shopify will automatically send a refund confirmation email to the customer.

How to Issue a Partial Refund

To refund only part of an order (like one item, or a specific amount):

• In the Refund screen, adjust the quantity or enter a custom amount
• Optionally uncheck items you don’t want to refund
• You can also refund part of the shipping amount manually

This is useful for damaged items, customer complaints, or returning one item from a bundle.

How to Refund Only Shipping on Shopify

Shopify doesn’t have a direct “refund shipping” button — but you can:

1. Click Refund on the order
2. Enter the shipping amount manually under “Refund Amount”
3. Do not select any items
4. Click Refund

This lets you return just the shipping cost (e.g., for delayed delivery or missed expectations).

How to Refund Subscription Orders

If you’re using Recharge, Bold, or another subscription app:

• Go to the order inside Shopify
• Click Refund like usual
• For recurring orders, you may need to pause/cancel the subscription as well
• Some apps (like Recharge) offer partial refund settings inside their dashboard

Always check your app’s refund policy for how refunds are reported.

How to Refund Orders in Bulk (Advanced)

Need to refund many orders at once? Use Matrixify or a Shopify Plus-compatible app:

1. Export orders using Matrixify or Shopify Admin
2. Edit the CSV to indicate which orders to refund
3. Import via Matrixify → Choose “Orders → Refund”
4. Review before bulk processing

Always test with 1–2 orders before running bulk refunds.

Why Every Merchant Must Learn How to Refund on Shopify

Refunds are a normal part of eCommerce. Whether you’re processing a Shopify partial refund or refunding full orders, getting it wrong can frustrate customers and hurt your brand.

Let’s break down how to do it the right way.

Step-by-Step: How to Refund on Shopify for Full Orders

• Log in to your Shopify Admin
• Go to Orders
• Select the order you want to refund

• Click Refund

• Adjust quantities or amounts if needed

• Optionally refund shipping cost
• Click Refund again to finalize

This process will also update your inventory if you’ve enabled it. You’ll also be able to email the customer directly from this screen.

Shopify Partial Refund: How to Do It the Right Way

Sometimes, customers only return part of their order. Here’s how to issue a Shopify partial refund:

• Go to the relevant order
• Click Refund
• Enter the quantity or amount to refund
• Leave the rest untouched
• Click Refund

This is especially useful when items are damaged or partially delivered. Shopify allows partial adjustments, including shipping refunds, where necessary.

How to Refund Shipping on Shopify Orders

Want to refund just the shipping portion? Here’s how to refund shipping on Shopify:

• Navigate to the order in Admin
• Click Refund
• Enter the amount under “Refund shipping”
• Finalize the refund

You can combine this with full or partial product refunds.

Pro Tip: Shopify doesn’t automatically refund shipping; you must enter it manually.

Shopify Refund Subscription Charges: What You Need to Know

Shopify refund subscription app charges are a bit different. You cannot refund app charges through the Admin.

• Go to Shopify Support
• Submit a refund request for the specific app
• Wait for their approval (not guaranteed)

You may also contact the app developer directly if it’s a third-party app.

Shopify Refund Time: How Long Does It Take?

Wondering how long does Shopify refund take? Here’s what you can expect:

• Credit Cards: 5–10 business days
• PayPal: 3–5 business days
• Manual payments: Depends on the method
• Shopify Balance: Instant in many cases

Keep in mind that Refund time Shopify varies depending on the payment provider used at checkout.

Some banks may take up to 15 days, so communicate this to customers.

Setting a Refund Policy Shopify Supports

You are responsible for defining your own refund policy Shopify displays during checkout.

Here’s how to add or update it:

• Go to Settings > Policies
• Scroll to Refund Policy
• Add clear rules

• Save your changes

This policy is displayed on your checkout and order confirmation pages. Make sure to update it regularly based on your current practices.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Refunding on Shopify

• Not issuing a Shopify partial refund correctly (results in over-refunds)
• Forgetting to refund shipping on Shopify
• Deleting orders before issuing refunds
• Delaying responses (affects Refund time Shopify)
• Not having a clear refund policy Shopify customers can trust

Pro Tips to Streamline Shopify Refunds

• Always notify the customer after a refund
• Use return management apps like Return Prime or AfterShip
• Offer store credit for flexible returns
• Add a FAQ section to your refund policy page
• Track metrics like refund frequency and reasons
  

FAQ: How to Refund on Shopify (Most Common Questions)

1. How long does Shopify refund take?

Shopify refunds usually take 5–10 business days to reflect, depending on the payment method. PayPal is usually faster, while credit cards take longer.

2. Can I offer a Shopify partial refund?

Yes, you can issue Shopify partial refunds for specific products or amounts. Go to the order screen and adjust the refund accordingly.

3. How do I refund shipping on Shopify?

Click into the order, select “Refund,” enter the shipping amount manually, and finalize. Shopify does not refund shipping automatically.

4. What’s the typical refund policy Shopify store owners follow?

Most stores offer 14–30 day returns. However, Shopify allows you to set your own terms under Settings > Policies.

5. Can I refund a Shopify subscription?

You cannot refund subscription charges via Admin. You must request it through Shopify Support or the app provider.

Final Thoughts: Master How to Refund on Shopify Today

To recap, you now know:

• How to refund on Shopify for full and partial orders
• How to refund shipping on Shopify manually
• The ins and outs of Shopify refund subscription app charges
• Why understanding Shopify refund time helps set customer expectations
• How to build a reliable refund policy Shopify supports

Refunding shouldn’t be a headache. With this complete guide, you’re prepared to handle any return with confidence.

Shopify refunds are simple to manage, but knowing the right steps for full, partial, shipping-only, or subscription refunds can save time — and reduce errors.

Need help managing refunds automatically or tagging refund behavior? Contact KlinKode Experts.