Do I need terms of service for my online store?

Yes. Terms of service are the contract between you and the buyer — they cover what they're paying for, what your obligations are, how returns and disputes work. Without terms, you're relying on default consumer-law rules, which are usually less favourable to the seller. Plus payment processors (Stripe, PayPal) increasingly require visible terms on the checkout page.

Do I need separate terms and a separate returns policy?

Yes, but they should reference each other. The terms cover the overall sale (formation, payment, shipping, dispute resolution). The returns policy covers the specifics of returns and refunds (window, condition, exceptions, how to initiate). Having both as separate documents is industry standard and easier for customers to find.

What's required for an EU consumer?

A few specific things. (1) Prices must include VAT. (2) The 14-day right of withdrawal under the Consumer Rights Directive — you can't contract it away. (3) Reference to the EU Online Dispute Resolution platform. (4) Statutory-rights preservation language. (5) Clear information about the merchant identity (your business name + address). All of these are in our generator.

Can I add an arbitration clause?

For B2C in the EU and UK, no — consumer-protection law overrides. For B2C in the US, generally yes (subject to specific state rules in California, New Jersey, and a few others). For B2B sales anywhere, generally yes. Our generator asks about your customer base and includes the appropriate language.

Home / Terms of Service / Terms of Service for Your E-commerce Store

Terms of Service for Your E-commerce Store

Returns policy linkage, age verification, payment terms, shipping liability — the e-commerce specifics generic templates skip.

Generate my e-commerce terms → Free preview · No signup · 2 minutes

Returns + refund policy linkage built in
Shipping liability cleanly limited where law allows
Age-verification clauses for age-restricted products

E-commerce terms of service have a few things SaaS terms do not need. You are selling physical goods, so shipping and customs liability matter. You are dealing with returns, so the terms link to a returns policy (separate doc, but they reference each other). You may be selling age-restricted goods, in which case age verification clauses matter. And every consumer-protection regime in the world has something to say about how you do all of this — EU Consumer Rights Directive, UK Consumer Rights Act, Australian Consumer Law, the patchwork of US state laws. A generic template misses most of it.

What your e-commerce terms of service needs to cover

Disclosures that matter for e-commerce.

Order and acceptance mechanics

When is the contract formed — at order placement, payment, or shipment? UK and EU consumer law have specific rules. Most stores form the contract on dispatch, not on order placement, so they can cancel orders that hit fraud filters.

Pricing + tax disclosure

Whether prices include tax (required for B2C in EU), what currency, when prices can change. Material price changes between order and shipment need disclosure.

Shipping liability

Who bears the risk during shipping — typically the seller until delivery to consumer (B2C) or until dispatch (B2B). EU Consumer Rights Directive Art. 20 is the controlling rule for EU consumers.

Returns policy reference

A short reference in the terms to your returns policy (which is a separate document). Make sure the two are consistent — contradictions are common when both are auto-generated separately. Generate both with us to keep them in sync.

Age verification

For age-restricted products (alcohol, tobacco, vape, knives in some jurisdictions), an age-verification clause and process. Without it, you are exposed to regulator action when a minor gets through your funnel.

Chargebacks + fraud

When you can cancel an order suspected of fraud, when you can withhold a refund, how chargebacks are handled. Vague terms here invite payment-processor risk-team attention.

Common mistakes

Where e-commerce terms usually go wrong.

Terms that contradict the returns policy

When the two were generated separately by different services, they often disagree on the returns window, restocking fees, or refund timing. Either generate both together or proofread carefully.
No statutory-rights preservation language

For EU and UK consumers, you cannot contract around statutory rights. Terms that try to are unenforceable AND look bad. Include "your statutory rights are not affected" language.
Vague price-change rules

"Prices may change without notice" is not enforceable for B2C in most jurisdictions. Material changes between order and shipment require notice and the customer's right to cancel.
No mention of dispute resolution

EU consumer law requires reference to the EU Online Dispute Resolution platform. Missing it does not invalidate the terms but does count against you in a dispute.