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PhrasesReturning ItemsIl reso è gratuito?
A1

Il reso è gratuito?

Is the return free?

Pronunciation

'Gratuito' — gra-TU-i-to. Four syllables — do not skip the 'ui'.

When to use it

Always ask before returning an item, especially for online purchases. Many Italian retailers charge return shipping fees unless the item is defective or the error was theirs.

What it means

'Gratuito' is the adjective for free/no-cost (from the Latin 'gratis'). It is more formal than 'gratis' but both are used. 'Il reso è gratuito?' is a direct yes/no question — in Italian, word order does not change, only intonation rises.

Variations

Ci sono costi per il reso?

Are there any costs for the return?

Open-ended — invites them to explain fees.

Chi paga la spedizione del reso?

Who pays for the return shipping?

Specific to postal returns.

Il reso è a carico mio?

Is the return at my expense?

Formal way of asking who pays.

Mini Dialogue

Cliente: Il reso è gratuito? Operatore: Sì, per prodotti difettosi il reso è completamente gratuito. Cliente: E se voglio restituirlo per cambio di idea? Operatore: In quel caso le spese di spedizione sono a carico del cliente.

Customer: Is the return free? Operator: Yes, for defective products the return is completely free. Customer: And if I want to return it because I changed my mind? Operator: In that case, the shipping costs are at the customer's expense.

Cultural Note

EU regulations require free returns for defective items. For change-of-mind returns on online purchases within 14 days, sellers can charge return shipping if they stated this in their terms and conditions at point of purchase.