Return Policy Setup in Google Merchant Center
How to add your return policy directly to GMC so it shows on Shopping listings and feeds into Google's automated return indicators.
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Why Adding Return Policy to GMC Matters
Since 2022, Google surfaces return policy information directly on Shopping listings. Products with clearly defined return policies (especially free returns or extended windows) show enhanced badges in Shopping results.
This is separate from having a return policy on your website — it's about registering the policy in GMC so Google can display it.
Adding a Return Policy in GMC
Go to Shipping and returns > Return policies.
Click + to add a new policy. Configure:
Policy name — An internal label
Countries — Which countries this policy applies to
Return window — Number of days after delivery that returns are accepted (e.g., 30 days)
Restocking fee — Whether you charge a restocking fee (leave at none for best display)
Return method — Whether customers return by mail, to a store, or either
Return shipping cost — Who pays for return shipping: customer, merchant, or a fixed amount
Free Returns Badge
If your return policy has return shipping cost set to "Free" (merchant pays), Shopping may show a "Free returns" badge on your products. This is a significant trust signal that improves click-through rate.
Policy Consistency
The return policy configured in GMC must match the return policy on your website. Inconsistencies between the two can trigger a policy flag during manual reviews.
Linking the Policy to Products
Once created, your GMC return policy applies to all products targeting that country by default. If you have exceptions (some products non-returnable), you can exclude them via the return_policy_label feed attribute.