InPost Return Parcel Lost: How to Get a Refund (UK)
If your return parcel was lost by the courier in transit back to the retailer with a InPost delivery, you have rights as a UK consumer. If you used the retailer's prepaid return label, start with the retailer, who chose the courier. If you posted at your own cost, keep proof of postage: it supports your refund claim and any claim against the courier you paid. InPost's published windows are short: 7 days after drop-off for a lost parcel where the label was bought through its own site or app, and 14 to 28 days on its retailer claim form. Either way tell the retailer straight away, because the label buyer, usually the retailer rather than you, has to lodge the claim in time. Use this page to check what to do next, the InPost claim window, and when to escalate if the retailer refuses. Compensation figures vary by service, so always verify the current numbers on InPost's website before relying on them.
How to claim a refund
- 1
Locate your proof of postage. If you used the retailer's prepaid label, start with the retailer, who chose the courier. If you posted at your own cost, keep proof of postage: it supports your refund claim and any claim against the courier you paid.
- 2
Save the InPost tracking page screenshot showing the last scan and current status.
- 3
Contact the retailer in writing. State that the return is in transit and ask for the refund you are due. If you are cancelling a distance purchase within the cooling-off period, regulation 34 of the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 requires it within 14 days of the retailer receiving the goods back or receiving evidence that you sent them, whichever is earlier. For faulty goods or a return under the retailer's own returns policy, cite your Consumer Rights Act remedy or that policy instead.
- 4
If the retailer says they have not received it, ask them to chase InPost via InPost's online claim form, which the sender who bought the label submits. The window is 7 days after drop-off for a lost parcel where the label was bought through InPost's site or app (its retailer claim form allows 14 to 28 days), 14 days from delivery if tracking says delivered but it never arrived, and 30 days from delivery for damage (verify on the InPost website).
- 5
If you posted at your own cost and the courier lost it, file a claim yourself with proof of postage and contents value.
- 6
If the retailer refuses to refund, escalate via Section 75, chargeback, or Citizens Advice for guidance, then a court claim against the retailer in the court that applies where you live.
InPost compensation and escalation
- Claim window
- 7 days after drop-off for a lost parcel where the label was bought through InPost's site or app (its retailer claim form allows 14 to 28 days), 14 days from delivery if tracking says delivered but it never arrived, and 30 days from delivery for damage (verify on the InPost website)
- How to claim
- InPost's online claim form, which the sender who bought the label submits
- Escalation
- Citizens Advice for guidance, then a court claim against the retailer in the court that applies where you live
Frequently asked questions
Should I claim from InPost or the retailer?
Claim from the retailer. InPost's published windows are short: 7 days after drop-off for a lost parcel where the label was bought through its own site or app, and 14 to 28 days on its retailer claim form. Either way tell the retailer straight away, because the label buyer, usually the retailer rather than you, has to lodge the claim in time. Your contract is with the retailer, so it is the retailer's job to deal with InPost.
What is InPost's claim window for this issue?
7 days after drop-off for a lost parcel where the label was bought through InPost's site or app (its retailer claim form allows 14 to 28 days), 14 days from delivery if tracking says delivered but it never arrived, and 30 days from delivery for damage (verify on the InPost website). Always check the current terms on InPost's own website before relying on a deadline.
What if the retailer refuses to refund?
If you paid on credit, you may have a Section 75 claim against your card issuer or lender for a single item (or a set sold together) with a cash price over £100 and up to £30,000, paid for wholly or partly on credit, most often a credit card (some point-of-sale loans and store or catalogue credit also qualify; paying through PayPal or some marketplaces can rule it out). If not, or if you paid by debit card, ask your bank about a chargeback; the usual time limit is about 120 days, but check with your bank. You can also escalate via Citizens Advice for guidance, then a court claim against the retailer in the court that applies where you live.
Whose problem is a lost return — mine or the retailer's?
If you used the retailer's prepaid return label, start with the retailer, who chose the courier. If you paid for return postage yourself, keep proof of postage: it supports your refund claim and any claim against the courier you paid.
When is the retailer required to refund?
If you are cancelling a distance purchase within the cooling-off period, regulation 34 of the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 makes the refund due within 14 days of the retailer receiving the goods or evidence that you sent them, whichever is earlier. For faulty goods, exchanges or a retailer's own returns policy, other rules or the retailer's policy apply.
