This guide is maintained as a current resource for September 2026 and covers only the laws of England and Wales. Information is for general guidance, not legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.
Learn your rights if you receive unsolicited goods in England and Wales. This comprehensive guide explains when you can keep goods sent without your order, how to reject payment demands, legal protections under consumer law, steps to seek a refund, and how to respond to unlawful demands for payment.
Receiving goods you did not order can be confusing and worrying. Under UK consumer law, individuals have specific rights when they receive unsolicited goods - items sent without a prior agreement or contract. This article explains your legal position, when you may be entitled to a refund, how to respond to demands for payment, and practical steps you can take if unsolicited goods arrive at your address.
What Are Unsolicited Goods?
Unsolicited goods are items sent to you by a trader or organisation without your request, consent, or prior contract. This can include goods delivered to your home, workplace, or other address where you did not place an order or agree to receive them. Under English law, unsolicited goods are treated differently from ordinary purchases because no contract has been formed between you and the sender.
Your Legal Rights When You Receive Unsolicited Goods
No Obligation to Pay
If you receive goods you did not order, you are not legally obliged to pay for them. The seller cannot treat the delivery itself as evidence of a contract or as acceptance of terms. Demanding payment in these circumstances can amount to an unlawful or unfair commercial practice.
You May Keep the Goods
Generally, unsolicited goods become your property without any payment. You are entitled to keep them as an unconditional gift. There is no legal requirement to return the goods unless the supplier arranges and pays for the return.
Illegal to Demand Payment
Under UK law, it is a criminal offence for a trader to demand payment or threaten legal action for unsolicited goods that you have not agreed to acquire. If you receive letters, emails, or calls demanding payment for unwanted deliveries, you are within your rights to challenge them.
Protection Under Consumer Protection Law
The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 covers unsolicited supplies. These rules prohibit unfair or misleading commercial practices, including demanding payment for unsolicited goods or implying that you must pay simply because the goods were delivered.
What to Do If You Receive Unsolicited Goods
Step 1: Check Whether the Goods Are Truly Unsolicited
Before acting, confirm that you did not knowingly or unknowingly make an order. Mistaken deliveries - such as where you ordered one item and received extras due to a seller error - may not automatically count as unsolicited under consumer contract law. In such cases, the situation can be more complex and may require contacting the trader.
Step 2: Do Not Pay or Respond to Payment Demands
If you are confident that the goods are unsolicited:
- Do not pay any invoices or demands.
- Do not sign any acknowledgment that might imply you ordered the goods.
If a business sends repeated payment requests, explain that no contract exists and that you received unsolicited goods. If the seller persists, this may constitute an unfair commercial practice.
Step 3: Notify the Sender (Optional)
Although not required, you may choose to send a written notice to the trader stating that the goods were unsolicited and that you consider them a gift. A model letter is available from Citizens Advice and can be used to set out the situation clearly. If you plan to allow the trader to collect the goods, make clear that they must arrange and pay for return.
Example wording often used:
“I did not order or request these goods. They are unsolicited. I do not accept any obligation to pay for them. Please collect the goods at your expense within 14 days, otherwise I will treat them as an unconditional gift.”
Step 4: Allow Collection if Requested (at Supplier's Expense)
If the sender requests the return of goods, they must cover all reasonable costs and not impose inconvenience. You do not have to arrange or pay for return yourself unless you agree to do so.
Step 5: Report Demands or Aggressive Tactics
If a business demands payment or threatens legal action, this may be unlawful. You can report such conduct to:
- Citizens Advice consumer service.
- Trading Standards.
- The local authority's consumer protection team.
These organisations can investigate and may take enforcement action if traders breach unfair trading laws.
Refunds for Payments Already Made
If you mistakenly paid for goods that were actually unsolicited (for example, due to confusion or pressure), you are generally entitled to request a refund. The supplier should return your money in full because no valid contract existed in the first place.
When Unsolicited Goods Are Not Straightforward
There are situations where the law may not treat the items as unsolicited:
- If you genuinely placed an order and there is evidence of a contract, then standard rights and remedies under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 apply instead.
- If goods arrive due to an error in dispatch relating to an actual order, conventional returns and refunds rules may apply, and you should contact the seller to resolve the error.
For these scenarios, typical remedies include refund, repair, replacement or compensation for breach of contract if goods are faulty or not as described.
Common Questions
Can I be charged for the return of unsolicited goods?
No. The supplier must bear all costs associated with returning unsolicited goods if they request collection or return.
Do I have to reply to a demand for payment?
You should not respond by offering payment. Instead, clarify that no contract exists and that you received unsolicited goods. Persistent demands may be unlawful.
What if the sender threatens legal action?
Threats to initiate debt recovery or court proceedings for unsolicited goods can be a criminal offence. Report such conduct to Trading Standards or Citizens Advice.
Key Takeaways
Under consumer protection laws in England and Wales, unsolicited goods - items sent without your agreement - do not create a contract between you and the sender. You are not legally required to pay for these goods and may generally keep them as a gift. The sender cannot lawfully demand payment or threaten legal action. If you have already paid for unsolicited goods, you have the right to seek a full refund. If disputes arise, organisations such as Citizens Advice and Trading Standards can provide support and enforce your rights.
