B&H Photo Video generally gives U.S. customers 30 days from delivery to return eligible new merchandise. For pre-owned gear sold by the B&H Used Department, the standard window is 30 days from purchase. Eligible items purchased after November 1, 2026, through January 1, 2027, can be returned or exchanged through February 1, 2027 under the holiday extension.
Check the product category before opening the box. B&H accepts eligible opened laptops, desktops, and tablets in original condition, but TVs and monitors measuring 37 inches or larger lose standard return eligibility once opened. If your order arrived damaged in transit or something is missing, B&H must receive your claim within two business days of receipt. For an ordinary mailed return, you generally pay the return shipping.
B&H Return Policy at a Glance
| Policy Detail | Current U.S. Rule |
|---|---|
| Standard window for new merchandise | 30 days from delivery for eligible items |
| Standard window for B&H Used Department gear | 30 days from purchase, with a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) |
| 2026 holiday extension | Eligible purchases made after November 1, 2026, through January 1, 2027, can be returned or exchanged through February 1, 2027 |
| Required condition | New merchandise must be in new condition with its original, unaltered packaging and included contents. Pre-owned gear must be in the condition in which B&H sold it, with all included accessories. |
| Return methods | Ship with an RMA or visit the Returns Department at the New York City SuperStore |
| Return shipping | Customer pays for ordinary mailed returns. B&H reimburses return shipping for verified defective or damaged items. |
| Possible restocking fee | At least 15% if a standard return fails the eligibility conditions and B&H chooses to accept it. The Used Department lists a 15% fee if the condition differs from how it was sold. |
| Refund method | Usually the original payment method |
| Refund timing | Allow 5–7 days for a standard credit to appear after B&H receives and inspects the return and issues the credit. The Used Department lists 7–10 days for a credit-card refund to appear. |
| Transit damage or missing items | B&H must receive the claim within two business days of receipt |
Understanding the B&H Return Policy
The standard return clock for shipped new merchandise starts on delivery, so use the delivery date when checking your deadline. If you bought pre-owned equipment from B&H’s Used Department, use the purchase date, even if the equipment arrived later. The Used Department instructs customers to obtain an RMA before returning the gear.
The 2026 holiday extension applies to eligible new and Used Department purchases made after November 1 through January 1. The February 1, 2027 deadline also covers eligible exchanges. The usual condition requirements and product exclusions still apply.
What Condition Must Returned Items Be In?
Return new merchandise in new condition with the original, unaltered product box. Include the packing materials, manuals, blank warranty cards, accessories, and any promotional items that came with the purchase. If you keep a promotional item, B&H deducts its retail value from your refund. Pre-owned gear must be in the same condition as when B&H sold it, with all included accessories.
B&H requires electronics that contain user profile data to be factory reset or password unlocked before you send them back. For a computer or tablet, back up your files, sign out of your accounts, and remove any school or workplace device management before resetting it.
Opened Items and Nonreturnable Products
Opening the box affects eligibility differently depending on the item. B&H’s computer-specific guidance allows eligible opened laptops, desktops, and tablets to be returned or exchanged in original condition, with their original packaging and accessories. A new camera or lens you opened is still subject to the general new-condition requirement and any restriction on its product listing.
| Product | Standard Return Rule |
|---|---|
| TVs and monitors 37 inches or larger | Ineligible once the original packaging is opened or unsealed |
| Boxed software, consumables such as film and ink, and educational tapes and books | Ineligible once opened or unsealed |
| Electronic software downloads | Nonreturnable |
| Computers B&H builds or modifies to customer specifications | Nonreturnable |
| Underwater equipment that has been submerged | Nonreturnable |
| Select special-order merchandise and items marked nonreturnable on the B&H website | Check the product listing for the item-specific restriction |
How to Return an Item to B&H
Returning an Item by Mail
- Find your order. Sign in to My Account, open My Orders, and filter for Eligible for Return. Select Start a Return. If you checked out as a guest, use Guest Order Lookup.
- Request an RMA. Complete the online form or start the request by phone or Live Chat. For Used Department gear, call B&H or use Live Chat to obtain the RMA.
- Pack the item and invoice. Put everything back in the original packaging and protect the product box with a separate shipping carton. For used gear, include the return reason and describe any defect.
- Choose a shipping label. Use the label supplied with the RMA and B&H will deduct the shipping cost from your refund. You can also buy a label from a carrier of your choice. For Used Department returns, follow B&H’s instructions for placing the label or marking the RMA number on the outer carton.
- Keep the tracking number and drop-off receipt. B&H recommends insured ground shipping with tracking. The carrier record shows when you handed over the parcel and when it arrived.
Returning an Item at the New York City SuperStore
Take the item to the Returns Department at 366 West 34th Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. The entrance is around the corner from the main SuperStore entrance. This is B&H’s listed in-person return location, including for Used Department merchandise. Bring the original packaging, included contents, and any invoice or order details you have.
Proof of Purchase, Lost Receipts, and Gifts
For a mailed return, B&H asks you to include the invoice. If you lost it, start with My Orders or Guest Order Lookup. B&H’s guest lookup covers orders placed online, in store, by phone, or through chat. If you still cannot locate the purchase, contact customer service before shipping the item or visiting the store. B&H’s published policy gives no guaranteed receiptless refund option.
If you received the item as a gift, have the order details available when you contact B&H. Ask where the refund would go before handing over the item, since B&H generally refunds the original payment method. If the purchase involved a B&H gift card or split payment, ask customer service how it will allocate the credit.
Return Shipping, Restocking Fees, and Refunds
For a standard mail return, you pay the cost of sending the item back. If you use B&H’s label, the cost comes out of your refund. Original shipping and handling charges are generally nonrefundable. B&H reimburses return shipping for verified defective or damaged merchandise.
If merchandise fails the standard return conditions, B&H can refuse it or charge a minimum 15% restocking fee. For Used Department gear returned in a different condition from how it was sold, B&H can refuse the return or charge a 15% restocking fee.
When the Refund Appears
| Purchase or Payment Type | Timing |
|---|---|
| Standard refund | After B&H receives and inspects the item and issues the credit, allow 5–7 days for it to appear in your account. |
| Used Department purchase paid by credit card | B&H credits the account after receiving the product and says to allow 7–10 days for the credit to appear on the card statement. |
| B&H Payboo Credit Card | Allow 3–5 business days after B&H issues the refund for it to appear in the Payboo account. |
| Purchase paid by check | B&H issues a refund check no sooner than 10 business days after the purchase date. |
The time your parcel spends in transit comes before these posting estimates. If tracking shows that B&H received the package and the credit is overdue, have the order number, RMA, and tracking number ready when you contact customer service.
Exchanges, Damaged Deliveries, and Defective Gear
B&H offers direct exchanges on eligible items. You can start an exchange online, by phone, or through Live Chat. B&H lists 3–5 business days to process a standard mail-in exchange. For defective merchandise, B&H may choose a repair, replacement with the same or a manufacturer-equivalent model, or a refund.
For transit damage or missing items, report the problem immediately. B&H must receive your claim within two business days of receipt. Keep the carton and packing materials, and have the order number and a description of the damage or missing contents ready. If you received the wrong item, contact B&H before shipping it back so support can match the issue to your order and provide return instructions. B&H Customer Service is available at 800-221-5743 or through Live Chat.
What to Do If Your Return Is Denied or Late
Ask B&H which condition led to the denial. If it involves a missing accessory or invoice, confirm whether you can provide it. If it involves the deadline, check the delivery date for standard shipped merchandise, the purchase date for Used Department gear, and whether the holiday extension applies.
If the return window has passed and the item has developed a fault, check the applicable warranty. B&H’s Used Department provides a limited 90-day parts and labor warranty for functional defects that arise during normal use. Damage caused by mishandling, such as drops or spills, falls outside that coverage. For new merchandise, check the warranty terms for your specific model.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Return an Online B&H Order in Person?
Yes. Take an eligible order to the Returns Department at the New York City SuperStore. Bring the invoice or order details along with the item, original packaging, and included accessories.
Can I Return an Opened Laptop to B&H?
Yes, an eligible standard laptop can be returned in original condition with its packaging and accessories. Laptops that B&H built or modified to customer specifications are excluded. Back up your files and clear your personal data before returning the device.
Can I Return a TV After Opening It?
If the TV measures 37 inches or larger, opening or unsealing the original packaging makes it ineligible for a standard return. If it arrived damaged in transit, contact B&H within two business days of receipt to file a damage claim.
Does a Prepaid B&H Label Mean Return Shipping Is Free?
For an ordinary mailed return, B&H deducts the cost of its label from your refund. B&H reimburses return shipping when it verifies that the item was defective or damaged.
Does B&H Refund the Price of an Item If I Keep the Free Accessory?
B&H deducts the retail value of the free accessory from your refund. Include all promotional items that came with the purchase to avoid that deduction.
Do Used Cameras Qualify for B&H’s Holiday Return Extension?
Yes, eligible Used Department purchases made after November 1, 2026, through January 1, 2027, can be returned or exchanged through February 1, 2027. The camera must still meet the Used Department’s condition and accessory requirements.
Conclusion
Start with the date that applies to your purchase. The B&H return policy generally allows 30 days from delivery for eligible new merchandise and 30 days from purchase for pre-owned gear. If your purchase qualifies for the 2026 holiday extension, you have through February 1, 2027. Before opening a large TV, monitor, or other seal-sensitive product, check its eligibility. For a mailed return, obtain the RMA, pack the invoice and all included items, and save the tracking number. If the shipment arrived damaged or incomplete, contact B&H within two business days of receipt.