Can I Stipulate That Shipping Costs For Refunds Must Be Paid By The Buyer?

Question: I sell electronics online.  Regarding return conditions: The item is a power bank (external phone battery charger). This is the return policy: Within 30 days, if the product is defective, the seller pays for replacement shipping costs. However, if the product does not defect and the buyer would like to return it, can I condition the buyer to pay for shipping?

Answer:

Walaikum assalam

I hope you are doing well, insha’Allah. May Allah bless you for your concern for doing things right, Islamically.

Stipulating that the buyer has to pay for shipping upon refund is a permissible condition—as it is understood, Islamically, that such costs are upon the buyer; and customary practice (`urf) affirms the widespread nature of such a condition. [Ref: Majalla with Sharh al-Atasi]

I would recommend you take some of the finance-related courses here at SeekersGuidance. All our courses are completely free.

These include:
https://seekers.flywheelstaging.com/courses/money-matters-islamic-finance-in-everyday-life/

And Allah is the giver of success and facilitation.

[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani