Return of promotional goods

Returning Goods Purchased at Promotional or "Threshold" Prices: What the Law Allows in 2026

1. A Typical Situation That Creates Losses

A store implements threshold pricing or "wholesale" logic:

Some customers act as follows: they buy more to get the lower price, and a few days later return a portion, explaining "it wasn't needed." Consequently, the buyer keeps a small quantity but at the "sweet" promotional price.

2. Regulations in Force in 2026

Key Acts:

3. The Main Principle: "Promotional" = "Regular" (regarding rights)

Goods sold at a discount, on promotion, or at a "threshold" price do not become "special" in terms of the right to exchange/return. If a product falls under the rules of Art. 9 of Law No. 1023-XII, signs like "Promotional items cannot be returned" do not create a legal basis for refusal.

4. Return/Exchange of Goods of Proper Quality: What the Law Actually Requires

This situation covers "product is quality, but didn't fit / I changed my mind."

The rule of Art. 9 (14 days) applies to non-food goods of proper quality provided that:

Art. 9 initially speaks of the right to exchange. A refund is usually considered an option (depending on specific conditions and the availability of a similar product). In retail practice, money is often returned immediately, but internal instructions should be built around this legal "framework."

If a customer returns a quality item (Art. 9), calculations are made based on the value at the time of purchase—that is, exactly according to the receipt data, not "at the new price."

5. If the Product is Defective (Improper Quality): Different Rules

This is a different situation: "there is a flaw/defect." Here, Art. 8 of Law No. 1023-XII applies, which offers a broader range of rights (repair, replacement, proportional price reduction, contract termination, etc.).

It is in this block of legislation that price changes can affect the claim amount, so confusing Art. 8 and Art. 9 is a direct path to errors in return policies.

6. What Cannot Be Returned (If the Product is of Proper Quality)

CMU Resolution No. 172 contains a list of goods of proper quality that are not subject to exchange/return. This includes, among others, software, many hygiene and cosmetic items, underwear, hosiery, perfumery, certain children's toys (soft/inflatable), toothbrushes, etc. The list should be checked exactly against the document, as the wording contains nuances.

7. "Threshold Pricing / 3+1 / Bundle": Can a Discount Be Canceled Upon Partial Return?

This is the most difficult block, as it sits on the border between marketing, law, and POS technicalities.

The law does not prohibit a seller from setting promotion conditions, but these conditions must not:

If you want to "recalculate" the remaining items at the full price upon a partial return, the key question is how the discount is reflected in the fiscal receipt.

There are two typical variants:

Option A (Cleanest): The discount/promotion is shown as a separate line or as a receipt discount
In this case, for a partial return, you can:

Option B (Risky for Thresholds): Every unit in the receipt is already rung up at 8 UAH
In this case, from a legal and practical standpoint, it is difficult to "agree" on a retroactive recalculation: the consumer holds a receipt showing a price of 8 UAH/unit. Under Art. 9, calculations are based on the purchase price.

In such a scenario, there are only practical options:

The most practical models for retail:

8. Cash Desk, RRO/PRRO, and the "Accounting" Side: Processing Returns Correctly

Regardless of whether it's a promotion or not, returns must be fiscally correct.

9. How to Correctly Phrase "Return Rules" Instead of Illegal Signs

Instead of "Promotional items are non-returnable," it is better to use a neutral and legal formula:

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