Ordered a cart full of “just one more” tops at 2 a.m. and immediately regretted everything at 2:07? You’re not alone. The good news: in many cases, you can cancel a Shein order and get your money back. The tricky part is timing, knowing what your order status means, and understanding how refunds and returns actually work.
This guide walks you, step by step, through how to cancel a Shein order before it ships, what to do if it’s already on the way, how refunds are processed, and what to try if something goes wrong. We’ll also look at real-life examples and extra tips so you can avoid losing money over one impulsive fashion haul.
Can You Cancel a Shein Order?
Whether you can cancel an order on Shein depends mostly on its status in your account:
- Unpaid / Pending payment: You can usually cancel instantly with no issue.
- Processing / Awaiting shipment: You can often still cancel, but you need to act fast. Once the warehouse packs and invoices the order, cancellation may no longer be available.
- Shipped: At this stage, you generally cannot cancel. You’ll have to wait for delivery and then start a return.
- Delivered: Cancellation is no longer an option, but you may be able to return eligible items under Shein’s return policy.
So the rule of thumb is simple: the earlier you try to cancel, the better your chances. As soon as you realize you don’t want the order, log in and check the status.
How to Cancel a Shein Order Before It Ships
If your order is still showing as “processing” or “unpaid,” here’s how to cancel it quickly through the app or website.
Cancel a Shein Order in the App
- Open the Shein app and log in.
- Tap “Me” (or your profile icon).
- Select “My Orders.”
- Find the order you want to cancel and tap it.
- If it’s still eligible, you should see a “Cancel” or “Cancel Order” button.
- Confirm your choice and select how you want your refund (Shein Wallet, original payment method, or sometimes a gift card, depending on your region).
If you don’t see a cancel button, the order may already be too far along in processing. In that case, you’ll need to wait for delivery and start a return instead.
Cancel a Shein Order on the Website
- Go to the Shein website and sign into your account.
- Hover over or click on “My Account” and choose “My Orders.”
- Locate the order you want to cancel.
- Click “View Details.”
- If allowed, click the “Cancel” option and follow the prompts.
- Confirm your cancellation and choose your preferred refund method.
You should receive a confirmation message or email showing that the order has been canceled. If you don’t, check your order history again to make sure the status changed.
How Refunds Work When You Cancel a Shein Order
Once you cancel successfully, Shein starts the refund process. The timing and where your money goes depend on what you choose at checkout and during cancellation.
Refund Methods
Shein typically offers a few refund destinations, though the exact options can vary by country:
- Original payment method: Credit or debit card, PayPal, or similar.
- Shein Wallet: Store credit that you can use on future purchases.
- Shein gift card: In some cases, especially promotional refunds.
According to Shein’s refund help pages, Shein Wallet and gift card refunds are often the fastestsometimes appearing within 24 hours after the refund is initiated. Refunds back to your original payment method usually take longer, such as 1–10 business days, depending on your bank, card issuer, or PayPal.
Will You Get a Full Refund?
When you cancel an order before it ships, you’ll typically get a full refund of the item costs and taxes. Original shipping charges may or may not be refundedit depends on the region and specific promotion you used.
If you used coupons, points, or promo codes, these are usually:
- Returned to your account (for points or some coupons), or
- Reflected as a reduced cash refund if the discount was applied across items.
For partial cancellations (canceling one or two items from a larger order), the refund is prorated based on the item prices and any discounts applied.
Can You Cancel After the Order Has Shipped?
Once your Shein order status switches to “Shipped” or there’s a tracking number, you generally can’t cancel it anymore. The package is already with the carrier, and Shein can’t pull it back. At this point, your options change from cancellation to returns and refunds.
Here’s what you can do instead:
- Wait for the package to be delivered.
- Check which items are eligible for return.
- Start a return request from your Shein account.
Most regions give you around 30–35 days from the date of purchase to start a return, as long as the items are unworn, unwashed, and still have their tags. Some countries also offer a free first return label per order, with additional returns from the same order incurring a small fee.
Non-Returnable Items
Even if your order is delivered, not everything is eligible for a refund via return. Non-returnable categories typically include:
- Underwear and lingerie
- Swimwear
- Beauty and cosmetics
- Some accessories and jewelry
- Items marked “non-returnable” on the product page
If your order is mostly non-returnable categories, it’s especially important to try to cancel before shipment if you change your mind.
How to Start a Return If You Miss the Cancellation Window
If you weren’t able to cancel in time, here’s the general process to get a refund through Shein’s returns system:
- Log into your account and go to “My Orders.”
- Find the order and click “Return/Exchange” or similar wording.
- Select the items you want to return and choose a reason (size, quality, changed mind, etc.).
- Pick a return method (prepaid label, drop-off point, or self-shipping, depending on your region).
- Print the label if provided and pack your items securely with tags attached.
- Drop off the package as instructed and keep the tracking receipt.
Once Shein receives and processes your return, they’ll issue a refund to your chosen method, similar to a cancellation refundbut usually a bit slower because they have to inspect the items first.
How Long Does a Shein Refund Take?
Shein’s own help pages and third-party refund guides suggest the following typical refund timelines:
- Shein Wallet: Often within 24 hours after the refund is initiated.
- Shein gift card: Usually within 24 hours.
- PayPal: Around 1–5 business days.
- Credit or debit card: Around 2–10 business days, sometimes up to 14 days depending on your bank.
If it’s been more than 10–14 business days and you still don’t see the money, log into your Shein account to confirm the refund has actually been issued, then contact your bank or PayPal if needed.
What If Your Shein Order Never Arrives?
Sometimes the problem isn’t cancellationit’s a package that seems to have disappeared into the shipping void. If your Shein order never arrives, you still have options.
- Check tracking: Use the carrier’s site or the tracking link in your Shein account.
- Confirm your address: Make sure there were no typos.
- Check the delivery window: Give it a bit of time, especially during holidays.
- Contact Shein support: Use chat or a support ticket, explain that the order is overdue or marked “delivered” but not received.
If Shein doesn’t resolve the issue and you paid with a credit card, U.S. consumers can often dispute the charge as a billing error with the card issuer, especially if the goods never arrived. The Federal Trade Commission notes that you generally have 60 days from the statement date to dispute an undelivered online purchase.
Common Problems (and How to Fix Them)
“I Don’t See a Cancel Button”
If your order is already being packed or shipped, the cancel option may disappear. In that case:
- Wait for delivery, then use the return process for eligible items.
- If you truly cannot accept the package, contact Shein customer support and ask about options.
“My Refund Is Taking Forever”
If your refund seems stuck:
- Check your Shein Walletsometimes the refund goes there instead of your card.
- Look at your bank or PayPal account for any pending credits.
- Contact Shein support with your order number, return tracking, and refund confirmation.
“My Return Was Rejected”
If Shein rejects your return, it may be because:
- The item was worn, washed, or missing tags.
- The product is in a non-returnable category (like underwear or beauty items).
- You missed the return deadline.
Always read the product page and Shein’s return policy before you buy, especially for intimate or final-sale items.
Tips to Avoid Cancellation and Refund Headaches
- Double-check your cart before payingsizes, colors, and quantities.
- Review your address carefully, especially apartment or unit numbers.
- Turn on email and app notifications so you see order status changes quickly.
- Decide on your refund method in advance (wallet vs. original payment).
- Keep screenshots and emails of order confirmations, tracking, and chats with support in case of disputes.
Real-Life Experiences & Extra Tips on Canceling Shein Orders
Policies are one thing, but real-life situations can feel messier. Here are a few common scenarios (based on shoppers’ experiences) and what usually works best in each.
Scenario 1: “I Ordered Twice by Accident”
Maybe the app glitched, or maybe you hit “pay now” with a little too much enthusiasm. You notice two identical orders sitting in your account:
- Step 1: Immediately open “My Orders” and check the status of both.
- Step 2: Cancel the duplicate that’s still in “processing” or “unpaid” status.
- Step 3: If both have shipped, you’ll need to return one set when it arrives. Use the free first return label if your region offers it, and keep tracking for both packages.
Extra tip: if you frequently place similar orders, wait a minute before re-tapping “pay” if the app looks frozen. Often the first payment went through; it just hasn’t refreshed.
Scenario 2: “My Kid Ordered from My Phone”
Surprise Shein haul courtesy of a curious toddler? It happens. If you catch it early:
- Log in and go straight to “My Orders”.
- Cancel anything that’s still in “processing”.
- Turn on extra protections like screen locks, payment PINs, or biometric confirmation for purchases in the future.
If the order already shipped, you can still request a return once it arrives, but you’ll be stuck with any non-returnable categories in the cart.
Scenario 3: “I Returned Items but the Refund Is Missing”
Many shoppers report that most Shein refunds arrive on timebut a small percentage do get delayed. If your return shows as “received” but the money isn’t in your account:
- Check your Shein Wallet and gift card balance first. Sometimes the refund is sitting there.
- Look at the order details to see which refund method you selected.
- If the wallet and gift card are empty, contact Shein customer support via chat or ticket and attach:
- Your order number
- Return tracking or drop-off receipt
- Any emails confirming the refund
If Shein confirms they processed the refund but your bank still hasn’t posted it after a couple of weeks, call your card issuer or PayPal and ask them to track the incoming credit.
Scenario 4: “I Only Want to Cancel Part of My Order”
Maybe the jeans are a must, but the fifth pair of sunglasses was a moment of weakness. If your order is still processing:
- Open the order details and see if Shein lets you cancel individual items. Some regions allow partial cancellations; others only allow canceling the entire order.
- If partial cancellation isn’t offered, you can:
- Cancel the whole order and re-order the items you still want, or
- Let the order ship, then return the items you don’t want (if they’re returnable).
Keep in mind that coupons and discounts may be recalculated if you cancel or return only part of the order.
Scenario 5: “My Order Shows Delivered, but I Don’t Have It”
This one is stressful, but there are steps to protect yourself:
- Check around your home, porch, mailbox, and with neighbors.
- Take screenshots of the tracking that shows “delivered.”
- Contact the carrier to see if they can confirm where it was left.
- Reach out to Shein support with your order and tracking details.
If Shein and the carrier can’t resolve it and you paid by credit card, talk to your card issuer about disputing the charge. Provide proof that you didn’t receive the goods, even though tracking says delivered.
Mindset Tips: Shopping Smarter on Shein
Finally, a few mindset shifts can save you from needing cancellations and refunds in the first place:
- Create a 48-hour “cooling off” rule for big cartsadd items to your wishlist, then revisit them in a couple of days.
- Keep a “capsule wardrobe” list of what you actually need so you’re not just chasing trends.
- Set a monthly Shein budget and stick to itno matter how cute the flash sale looks.
When you treat every order like real money (because it is), it becomes easier to hit “cancel” or “don’t buy” instead of cleaning up the mess later through returns and disputes.
The Bottom Line
You can’t undo every late-night shopping decision, but you do have solid options. If your Shein order is still processing, move quickly to cancel it and choose the refund method that works best for you. If it’s already shipped, use Shein’s return policy to recover your money on eligible items, and know your rights with your bank or card issuer if something goes seriously wrong.
With a little timing, a few screenshots, and a calmer approach to flash sales, you can shop Shein with far less stressand keep your money moving where you want it to go.