Cancel an order as a seller

You can cancel an order anytime before it ships. Once an order is in transit, it can’t be canceled.

Canceling as the seller may result in a fee. Below, you’ll learn when fees apply and how to cancel in the app or on whatnot.com

In this article: 

• What happens when you cancel as the seller
• How cancellation fees work
• How to cancel an order as the seller
• Avoid cancellation issues
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

If you're a buyer, request to cancel your order. 

What happens when you cancel as the seller

You can cancel an order anytime before it ships, even if you’ve already created a shipping label. Just don’t ship the package.

When you cancel:

• The buyer is automatically notified

• The buyer receives a full refund

• Pending earnings from the sale are removed

• If payout has started, the sale amount is deducted from your seller balance

• Shipping costs are refunded to whoever paid them

• If the order was part of a bundle, other items remain active unless canceled separately

Cancellations are final and can’t be undone.

If the order is already in transit, it can’t be canceled. If you shipped the wrong item or need help with a shipped order, contact Whatnot Support.

How seller cancellation fees work 

To maintain a reliable buyer experience, sellers may be charged a fee if an order is canceled for a reason within your control.

If the cancellation is outside your control, you’re less likely to be charged.

When a fee may apply

Fees may apply for avoidable issues, such as:

• Missing or misplaced inventory

• Incorrect listing details

• Item condition not matching the listing

• Changing your mind about the sale price

• Unexpected shipping costs

• Canceling after generating a shipping label

When a fee may not apply

Fees may not apply in cases like:

• Buyer-requested cancellations submitted through Whatnot

• Shipping carrier issues

• Order problems unrelated to your actions

• Break-related cancellations when a break does not fill (if applicable)

Fee amount and how it’s charged

• The fee is $3 or 3% of the order total, whichever is greater

• Your first seller cancellation fee is waived

• You’ll always see whether a fee applies before confirming cancellation

• If applied, the fee is automatically deducted from your seller balance

• You can review the fee in your Order Receipt and ledger

If you believe a fee was applied in error and cancellation was outside your control, contact Support for review.

How to cancel an order as the seller 

Orders must be canceled individually. Bulk cancellations aren’t supported.

Cancellations are final and can’t be undone.

Cancel in the app:

1. Tap Seller Hub at the bottom of the screen
2. Scroll down and tap Orders
3. Choose the order you want to cancel
4. Tap Cancel Order 
5. Choose a cancellation reason, and add a note for the buyer if prompted
6. If a fee applies, you’ll see a warning before continuing
7. Tap Cancel Order to confirm 

 Cancel on whatnot.com: 

1. From whatnot.com, open the Orders page in Seller Hub
2. Select the order you want to cancel
3. Scroll down in the order details and click Cancel Order
4. Choose a reason, then add a note for the buyer if prompted
5. If a fee applies, you’ll see a warning before continuing
6. Click Cancel Order to confirm 

Add a note for the buyer 

Buyers automatically receive a cancellation notice and refund confirmation. Adding a short note helps maintain trust.

Keep your note: 

• Short (1-2 sentences)
• Neutral and factual

• Clear about next steps, if relevant (restocks, future shows)

Avoid cancellation issues

To help maintain a trusted marketplace, repeated seller cancellations may affect your account, including:

• Suspension of seller privileges

• Loss of Early Payout eligibility

For full details on our policies and how enforcement works, review our Community Guidelines and What Actions We Take.

To reduce cancellations:

• Confirm inventory before going live

• Make sure item condition matches the listing

• Set prices and shipping details you’re confident in

• Use drafts and templates to reduce listing errors

• For Breaks, confirm you have enough inventory to fill all spots

You can monitor your performance and fulfillment metrics on your Account Health page

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What if the item I sold is no longer available?

• You can cancel the order so the buyer receives a full refund. Add a brief explanation or message the buyer directly.

Can I cancel an order after it’s shipped?

• No. Once an order is in transit, it can’t be canceled.

• If you shipped the wrong item, contact Whatnot Support. 

What if a buyer asked me to cancel? 

• Ask them to submit a cancellation request through Whatnot. Buyers have a limited time to request cancellation, so encourage them to do so quickly.

• Once submitted, you can accept or decline the request.  

• If you accept a buyer-requested cancellation submitted through Whatnot, you won’t be charged a seller cancellation fee.

What if I canceled a buyer's order by mistake? 

• Accidental cancellations can’t be undone. You can message the buyer and relist the item if they’re still interested.

How much is the cancellation fee? 

• $3 or 3% of the total order — whichever is greater. You’ll see the fee before confirming cancellation.