Can I return my online purchase in Belgium?
Yes — 14 days to change your mind, without a word of explanation. Buy from a professional web shop (anywhere in the EU) and you get 14 calendar days from delivery to withdraw — no reason required. Notify them within the window (an email or the withdrawal form suffices) and ship the product back within 14 days; the seller refunds everything within 14 days, including standard outbound shipping (return costs may fall on you if that was disclosed upfront). If the shop forgot to inform you of this right, your window stretches to 12 months. The classic exclusions: custom-made goods, unsealed hygiene and health products, perishables, and digital downloads once you agreed to immediate delivery. And the biggest misconception of all: in a physical shop this right doesn't exist — exchanges there are pure commercial goodwill.
📋 The rules
- 14 calendar days from delivery — no reason needed
- Refund within 14 days, including standard outbound shipping
- Return costs: yours only if disclosed before purchase
- Not informed about withdrawal? The window becomes 12 months
- Testing like in a shop is fine — diminished value beyond that can be deducted
🔓 Exceptions
- Custom and personalised products, perishables, unsealed hygiene/health products
- Digital content after agreeing to immediate delivery; purchases from private individuals (Vinted) fall outside
⚠️ Penalties & fines
For the shop: failing to refund within 14 days breaches the Economic Law Code — report to the federal Meldpunt (FPS Economy) or the ECC for foreign shops; courts can order refunds plus interest.
📎 Official sources
- FPS Economy · Withdrawal rights for online purchases →
- ECC Belgium · Returning online purchases →
- Test Aankoop · Web-shop return rights (NL) →
❓ Frequently asked
Must I give a reason?
No — the withdrawal right is unconditional; a simple email 'I withdraw from my purchase of [product]' within 14 days suffices.
Who pays return shipping?
You, but only if the shop clearly disclosed it before purchase — otherwise the seller carries that too; original shipping comes back regardless.
I used the product. Can I still return it?
Yes, but the shop may deduct diminished value if you went beyond in-store-style testing — returning a worn party dress becomes a dispute.
Does this apply in regular shops too?
No — the legal withdrawal right only covers distance selling (online, phone) and off-premises sales; in-store exchanges are the trader's goodwill.
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