You ordered online, and the item does not fit or no longer appeals to you after unpacking it. The right of withdrawal can help, provided you keep to the deadlines. The most important point first: withdrawal is a declaration to the trader, and sending the goods back on its own does not count as withdrawal.
Short answer: For online purchases the withdrawal period is 14 days. Under paragraph 355 of the German Civil Code (BGB), it generally starts with the conclusion of the contract, unless something else is determined. For deliveries of goods, the guidance of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Bonn (IHK, status January 2021) says it starts on the day after you receive the goods, provided the trader gave a proper notice. You declare withdrawal to the trader. Status: November 2026.
Key points at a glance
- The withdrawal period for online purchases is 14 days.
- For goods, the period usually starts on the day after receipt, provided the trader gave proper notice of your right.
- Withdrawal is a declaration to the trader. Sending the goods back alone is not enough.
- You must send the goods back within 14 days. The goods do not have to arrive at the trader within that period.
- Without a proper notice, the period runs out only after 12 months and 14 days, according to the IHK guidance.
When does the withdrawal period start?
The basic rule is in paragraph 355 of the German Civil Code. It states that the withdrawal period is 14 days and generally begins with the conclusion of the contract, unless something else is determined. For deliveries of goods, the IHK guidance defines the start more precisely. According to it, the period begins on the day after you receive the goods, and with several partial deliveries on receipt of the last item.
| Type of contract | Start of the period, according to the guidance | What to note |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery of goods | Day after receipt of the (last) item | With partial deliveries, the last shipment counts |
| Download of digital content | Can begin with the conclusion of the contract | Check the notice shown during checkout |
| Any case with a faulty notice | Period runs out after 12 months and 14 days | Keep a written copy of the notice |
The table summarises the rules from the guidance. Whether they apply to your particular purchase is shown in the notice during checkout.
What happens without a proper notice?
The start of the period assumes that the trader gave you a proper notice about your right of withdrawal. If the notice is missing or faulty, the period runs out only after 12 months and 14 days, according to the guidance. The trader must be able to prove that it informed you clearly and understandably. The notice does not have to be in text form for the period to start, but the trader still needs proof.
For you, this means: check the withdrawal notice during checkout and save it as a PDF or screenshot. It shows when the period starts and where to send your withdrawal. If you look for the notice only after the purchase, it is often no longer at hand when a deadline becomes tight.
How to declare withdrawal correctly
Withdrawal is a declaration to the trader, as paragraph 355 subsection 1 of the BGB states. The law does not require reasons. A clear statement is therefore enough, showing which order you withdraw from and that you want to end the contract. Name the order number, date and item so that the trader has no doubt.
Keep evidence that the declaration arrived, such as a confirmation of the email or a registered letter receipt. Remember that the declaration must be made within the period. According to the guidance, sending the goods back alone does not count as withdrawal.
How does the return work?
You must send the goods back within 14 days. According to the guidance, the goods do not have to arrive at the trader within that period, so sending them on time is enough. The trader must also refund the purchase price within 14 days, but it may refuse the refund until it has the goods or proof of the return.
| Point | Rule according to the guidance | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Return deadline | 14 days | Record the posting date on the receipt |
| Refund by the trader | 14 days, with the option to withhold until the goods or proof arrive | Whether you have a proof of dispatch |
| Return shipping costs | Generally borne by the consumer if the consumer was informed | Whether the checkout informed you of this |
According to the guidance, the former 40 euro clause no longer applies. Returning goods at your own cost is therefore the normal situation if the trader informed you of it.
Assumption: a garment costing 60 euros arrives on 3 May. The period then begins on the following day. Work out the end date with a calendar and plan the return with a margin so that you are not cutting it close.
What applies to defects instead of withdrawal?
Withdrawal is not the route for defects. For a fault or goods that do not match the order, warranty or guarantee rules apply, with their own deadlines. For this, see the guide on complaints about online orders and the overview of guarantee and warranty (in German).
Which typical mistakes happen with withdrawal?
The most common mistake is waiting. Anyone who uses up the period to the last day risks the declaration or the return arriving too late. Proof is often missing too. A phone call to customer service without a confirmation in your inbox helps little in a dispute. The second mistake is an incomplete return, for example without accessories, packaging or the original label.
Before posting, check that all parts are included and photograph the condition. A dispatch record with a date protects you. If you are unsure whether the goods will be returned in full, ask the trader in writing about the process beforehand.
Frequently asked questions about withdrawal
Do I have to give the trader my reasons?
No. Withdrawal is a declaration to the trader, and paragraph 355 of the BGB does not require a reason. You do, however, have to make the withdrawal clearly and be able to prove that it arrived.
What if the trader does not refund the money?
The trader must refund the purchase price within 14 days, once it has the goods or proof of the return. If it does nothing, you can ask it in writing and set a reasonable deadline. If it still fails to act, a consumer advice centre can help you further.
Does the right of withdrawal also apply to purchases from private sellers?
No. The consumer right of withdrawal applies to contracts with a trader. A purchase from a private person via a classifieds platform therefore usually does not fall under it.
Do I always have to pay the return shipping?
Generally yes, if the trader informed you of this duty. If it did not inform you, the position changes. Look at the notice or at the return information in the checkout.
What to do now
- Check and save the withdrawal notice and the start of the period during checkout.
- Declare withdrawal clearly and keep evidence that it arrived.
- Send the goods back within 14 days and keep the dispatch receipt.
- Check the refund and follow up in writing if it does not arrive.
Related guides
- Contract concluded by phone: how to withdraw
- Defect in an online order: how to complain properly
- Recognising fake online shops
- Guarantee or warranty: who is responsible for defects (in German)
- Consumer rights in everyday life: protection against fraud and unfair contracts
Sources: Paragraph 355 BGB: right of withdrawal in consumer contracts (German text); IHK Bonn: guidance on the right of withdrawal in consumer contracts (German, status January 2021).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
