You placed an Amazon order—and then, boom, you realize you ordered the wrong item, clicked the wrong address, or just don’t need it anymore. Panic sets in.
Here’s the real deal:
If your Amazon order has already shipped, you can’t technically cancel it the old-fashioned way.
But don’t worry! There are still a few easy and legal ways to stop the process, refuse the package, or set up a super-fast return.
How to Cancel a Shipped Amazon Order Through the App (Step by Step)
1: Open the Amazon App
- Tap the Amazon app on your iPhone or Android device.
- Make sure you’re logged into the account you used to place the order.
2: Go to “Your Orders”
- Tap the three horizontal lines (bottom-right corner)
- Tap “Your Orders”
- Find the order you want to cancel.
3: Check Order Status
- If the order says “Preparing for shipment”, you might still be able to cancel normally.
- If it says “Shipped” or “Out for delivery”, you’ll need to take a different approach.
4: Tap “Cancel items” (If Available)
- If the “Cancel items” button is still active, select the item(s) and tap Cancel.
- You’ll receive an email confirming if the cancellation worked.
BUT:
Most of the time once it’s marked “shipped,” the cancel button disappears.
5: If Cancel Isn’t Possible — Prepare to Return It
If you can’t cancel:
- Wait for the package to arrive.
- Do not open it if you still want an instant return.
- Start a return directly from the app (steps below).
How to Set Up a Return for a Shipped Amazon Order
If your cancellation didn’t go through, here’s how to set up a quick return via the app:
- Go back to “Your Orders.”
- Tap “Return or replace items” next to the order.
- Choose a reason for the return (you can even select “Bought by mistake”).
- Select Refund to your original payment method.
- Pick a return method:
- Amazon Locker drop-off
- UPS drop-off
- Schedule a UPS pickup (in some areas)
- Print the return label or show the QR code at a drop-off location.
Refunds usually show up 2–5 business days after the package is received.
Bonus Tip: Refusing the Delivery
If you’re home when it’s delivered, simply tell the delivery driver you want to refuse the package.
- They’ll take it back immediately.
- You won’t need to set up a return.
- Amazon will automatically process a refund once they get the item back.
Note: This is easiest with Amazon delivery drivers—not always possible with third-party carriers like USPS or UPS.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I cancel an Amazon order after it’s been shipped?
Although you can’t directly cancel the order, you can easily refuse the package once it arrives and initiate a return.
Q2: Will Amazon charge me if I return a shipped item?
This is less common, but some items—especially those from third-party sellers—might incur a return shipping fee. More often than not, return shipping is free.
Q3: What if I bought from a third-party seller and not from Amazon directly?
You will have to go through the Amazon app to send the third-party seller an order cancellation and return request. They have to manually grant those requests.
Q4: How quickly will I receive my refund after returning the item?
Refunds are processed by Amazon between 2-5 business days after receiving the item. The time it takes to issue a refund may differ based on the payment method used.
Q5: What happens if I refuse delivery?
With regards to the refused package, Amazon automatically initiates a return and refund once the shipping service verifies that the parcel is in transit back to the destination.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Stress Amazon Makes It Easy
Everyone is bound to make mistakes at one point or another, whether it is a comically wrong-sized order, an impulsive order change moments before hitting ‘submit’ or even accidentally submitting duplicate orders. Returns and refunds handled through the Amazon app are hassle-free.
Even in cases where the item is already en route, you will not be trapped with an item you do not wish to keep.
If you follow the steps outlined above, you stand a good chance of either intercepting the package before it arrives or returning it without burdensome procedures afterward.