Kate Spade Return Policy: 30 Days, Final Sale Rules & Outlet Fees

Kate Spade's return rules are short, but a few details decide whether you get your money back: where you bought the item, whether it was marked Final Sale, and whether it came from the full-price site or Kate Spade Outlet. This guide covers purchases from katespade.com and kate spade new york stores in the US, using Kate Spade's own Customer Care pages.

How long you have and what condition items must be in

You have 30 days from the in-store purchase date or the delivery date (as reported by Kate Spade's delivery partner) to return or exchange an item, and every return needs valid proof of purchase ¹. The merchandise must be unused, unworn and in good condition, with all tags and accessories still attached, and it must have been delivered within the United States ¹. Kate Spade's FAQ adds that items should come back in original condition with tags and packaging ².

If an item is eligible, you choose between a refund to your original payment method and a free exchange sent to a U.S. address ¹.

Where to return: store or mail

Online orders give you two options:

• In a store: anything bought online can be returned at any kate spade new york store free of charge ¹.
• By mail: start the return online from Kate Spade's Return Policy page. Kate Spade says mail returns of eligible items are free in the U.S. in its answer about returning a gift ³, but its main return policy page doesn't state the cost of mailing back your own regular order, so look for any label fee when you start the return ¹.

Store purchases are stricter. Items bought in a store can't be sent to Kate Spade's online warehouse – purchases from its physical shops, and from wholesale partners such as other retailers that carry the brand, must go back to the place of purchase ³.

International orders can't be returned, refunded or exchanged by mail or in store in the United States or Canada; returns are accepted only in the original country of purchase ¹.

How refunds work

• Where the money goes: back to your original payment method ¹.
• Processing time: 5-10 business days after Kate Spade receives the return ¹. Your bank may need additional time to post it ¹, and occasionally it can take up to one full billing cycle ².
• Large cash purchases: in-store cash purchases over $200 are refunded by corporate check within 2-3 weeks of the return ¹.
• Shipping: Kate Spade notes that initial shipping charges are not refundable ¹.

Final sale and items with extra conditions

Items marked "Final Sale" at the time of purchase are not eligible for return or exchange ¹. Check your receipt or order confirmation for that label before you plan a return.

Some categories come back only in specific condition:

• Swimwear must be unworn with the original liner intact ¹.
• Fragrance, beauty items and legwear are accepted only if the original packaging is intact ¹.

Exchanges

Exchanges are free within 30 days of receipt, and every item can be exchanged in any Kate Spade New York shop ¹. Online exchanges are limited to select handbags, shoes, wallets and clothing ¹². For everything else, Kate Spade recommends returning the item and buying the new color or size separately so you don't miss out on stock ¹.

For an online exchange:

1. Start the exchange online and pick a different size or color, if one is available ¹.
2. Ship the original item to Kate Spade's distribution center within 3 days of starting the exchange ¹.
3. Kate Spade ships the replacement once the original arrives. If the replacement is no longer available, you get a full refund to your original payment method; if the original never reaches the distribution center, the exchange is cancelled ¹.

The original item must be unused and unworn, with its original hangtags and packaging ¹.

Returning a gift

Kate Spade accepts returns of unused, unworn gifts with their original tags and packaging, and U.S. customers can start a free return online ². If you're using a gift receipt, though, you can only exchange the item for other merchandise or get store credit at the price paid – not a refund to the buyer's card ¹.

Price adjustments within 7 days

If a full-price item you bought is still in stock and gets marked down within 7 days of your purchase date, you're eligible for a one-time price adjustment ¹. Final sale items and anything bought with a promotion code or other discount don't qualify ¹. For store purchases, bring your original receipt to the store within 7 days of the purchase date ¹.

Kate Spade Outlet purchases

Kate Spade Outlet sells through its own website, katespadeoutlet.com, separate from katespade.com ². The katespade.com Return Policy page mentions outlet items twice, and the two lines don't fully match:

• outlet items returned by mail are subject to a $9 shipping fee deducted from your refund ¹;
• the exchange section says outlet orders are not eligible for returns, exchanges or price adjustments ¹.

Because of that, don't assume an outlet purchase gets the same return terms or the price adjustment that full-price orders get. Check the return terms on the outlet site or your receipt before shipping anything back.

Holiday returns

When we checked on October 31, 2026, Kate Spade's Holiday FAQ still showed last season's terms: new, unused merchandise bought between November 2 and December 25, 2025 (US) could be returned through January 11, 2026 ³. Those terms also treated items discounted by 50% or more off the original price as final sale ³. Kate Spade hadn't posted 2026 holiday dates yet, so plan around the standard 30-day window ¹ until the Holiday FAQ is updated. Our holiday return deadlines guide tracks other retailers' seasonal windows.

Quick tips

• Keep proof of purchase – Kate Spade requires it for every return and exchange ¹.
• Try shoes on in a clean, carpeted area so the soles stay unmarked ¹.
• Bought online? A store return is free and skips the shipping step ¹.
• Damaged, missing or wrong item? Call Customer Care at 866-999-5283 right away rather than starting a regular return ².

For other retailers' rules, browse our returns policies hub or the Kate Spade store page. Shopping at a department store instead? See the Macy's return policy.