Costco provides warehouse receipts in your Costco.com account for the last two years. For an older purchase, its instructions direct you to a warehouse membership counter with photo ID, your membership number and the purchase date. Costco duplicate-receipt instructions (checked September 11, 2026).
This is the full guide to Costco receipt lookup, what every code on your receipt means, how to get receipts for returns and tax purposes, and how to create Costco-formatted receipts using the Costco receipt template.
How to Get Your Costco Receipt — 3 Methods
Method 1: Costco App (Fastest)
For warehouse receipts in the last two years, use Orders & Purchases in your account. In the app, start at the Account tab:
- Open the Costco app on your phone
- Tap Account at the bottom
- Tap Orders & Purchases, then view warehouse receipts
- Find the date of your purchase
- Tap to view the full itemized receipt
Open the available warehouse receipt to review the item and payment details. If the record is missing, use Costco’s duplicate-receipt process rather than assuming every transaction is available in the app.
Method 2: Costco.com Online Account
For online orders, your receipts live in your Costco.com account:
- Sign in at costco.com
- Click Orders & Purchases
- Find the order
- Click Print Order Detail for a receipt-style printout
Check the online-order section for your order details and save a copy. For another retailer’s process, see finding Amazon order receipts.
Method 3: Membership Counter (In-Warehouse)
Lost your paper receipt and do not use the app? Visit the Membership Counter at any Costco warehouse:
- Bring your Costco membership card
- Provide the approximate date of purchase
- For purchases older than two years, request a copy at the membership counter with the details Costco specifies
For an older warehouse receipt, follow Costco’s published instructions and bring the requested identification and purchase details. If membership access is an issue, ask Member Services for help.
How to Read a Costco Receipt — Every Code Explained
Costco receipts use letter codes to identify tax categories and item types. Knowing these helps with returns, expense tracking, and verifying your purchase.
Costco Receipt Tax Codes
| Code | Meaning | Example Items |
|---|---|---|
| A | Taxable (standard rate) | Electronics, clothing, general merchandise |
| E | Eligible for SNAP/EBT | Most groceries and unprepared food |
| F | Food (non-taxable) | Basic groceries in most states |
| N | Non-taxable | Out-of-state shipping, certain services |
| T | Taxable (lower rate) | Specific items at reduced tax in some states |
| Y | Taxable (prepared food) | Hot rotisserie chicken, food court items |
| Z | Taxable (alcohol/tobacco) | Alcohol, cigarettes in states that allow Costco sales |
Code meanings vary by state because state sales tax laws differ. A code F item in California might be coded differently in Texas. The codes above reflect the most common assignments across Costcos 600+ U.S. warehouses.
Costco Receipt Identifier Codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| TC# | Transaction Code — 23-digit unique purchase identifier |
| Whs | Warehouse number (which Costco location) |
| Trm | Terminal number (which register) |
| Trn | Transaction number for that day |
| OP | Operator (cashier) ID |
| MBR | Member number (your Costco membership) |
| Item# | 6-digit Costco item number (different from UPC) |
The TC number is the most important identifier. Costco employees use it for returns, exchanges, and customer service inquiries. Keep this number — it is the fastest way to look up any specific transaction. Compare this format with what other retailers like Walmart use on their receipts.
Costco Digital Receipt — How It Works
Costco provides warehouse receipts through Orders & Purchases for the published two-year online period. Save any copies you need for longer-term records.
How to Enable Costco Digital Receipts
Digital receipts work by default. To make sure they save to your app:
- Download the Costco app and sign in
- Make sure your membership card number is linked to your account
- At checkout, present your card (physical or digital) for scanning
- The receipt appears in the app within minutes
Costco E-Receipt vs Paper Receipt
A readable digital copy avoids fading thermal paper. Save it outside the app as well; online availability has limits.
| Feature | Paper Receipt | Digital Receipt |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Thermal paper can fade | Save a local copy and backup |
| Searchable | No | Yes (by date/amount) |
| Sharable | Photocopy only | Email/save as PDF |
| Return documentation | Bring if available | Show if available; policy exclusions still apply |
| Tax records | May support an expense | May support an expense; see IRS receipt requirements guide |
Costco Receipt Template — What is On Every Receipt
A standard Costco receipt has 11 sections. Knowing the layout helps with returns, expense reports, and creating accurate grocery receipt templates:
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Header | "Costco Wholesale" logo, warehouse address, phone |
| Member info | MBR# (member number), member name |
| Transaction info | Date, time, Whs#, Trm#, Trn#, OP# |
| Items | Item number (6-digit), description, price, tax code |
| Subtotal | Pre-tax total of all items |
| Tax breakdown | Sales tax by code (A, T, etc.) with rate |
| Total | Final amount charged |
| Payment | Method (cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, debit), last 4 digits |
| Change | Cash back amount (if any) |
| TC number | 23-digit transaction code (used for returns) |
| Savings summary | Member-exclusive savings, instant rebates |
If you need to recreate a Costco receipt format, the Costco receipt template on ReceiptEdit covers every field. Similar templates exist for Walmart, Target, and other warehouse and grocery stores.
Costco Receipt Generator — Create Receipts Online
The receipt generator creates Costco-formatted receipts with:
- Standard Costco layout including warehouse number, terminal, and TC code
- Member number field and member name
- Item lines with 6-digit Costco item numbers
- Tax code letters (A, E, F, T, Y, Z)
- Member savings line
- PDF or PNG download
For business documentation needs different from a Costco-style receipt, use the invoice generator. The difference between the two is covered in our receipt vs invoice guide.
Costco Return Policy — What You Need to Know
Costcos Return Policy
Costco’s satisfaction guarantee has product exclusions and specific deadlines. The table below summarizes some examples; check the linked official policy for your item and purchase channel.
| Category | Return Window |
|---|---|
| Listed electronics, computers and cameras | 90 days from receipt of merchandise; see exclusions |
| Major appliances | 90 days from delivery |
| Cell phones | 90 days from receipt; carrier contract terms also apply |
| Diamonds 1ct or larger | Original paperwork required; jewelry-credit memo and gemologist verification process apply |
| Cigarettes and alcohol | Refund only where law permits |
| Custom-configured items | Not returnable except for defects |
| Almost everything else | No time limit |
Returns Without a Costco Receipt
A paper receipt may not be necessary for a warehouse return. Ask Member Services to review the item and available purchase details under the return policy.
- Show your membership card. The Membership Counter can look up your purchase history and verify the item.
- Show the digital receipt from the app. Same as paper for return purposes.
- Missing receipt: Ask Member Services to assess the return. Costco says a receipt or original packaging helps but may not be necessary; product exclusions still apply. Costco return policy (checked September 11, 2026).
Costco Receipt for Taxes and Business Use
Tax Deduction Documentation
An original receipt can support a tax record, but the merchant name and four receipt fields do not establish deductibility. Keep payment evidence and the relevant business-purpose records. See our IRS receipt requirements guide.
FSA/HSA Reimbursement
Our pharmacy receipt layouts illustrate fields; request the original transaction record from the seller for a claim.
Request the merchant-issued itemized record and check the expense and documentation with your plan administrator. A store name or generated layout does not establish eligibility. See our FSA documentation guide.
Expense Reports
Save the complete Costco-issued record and supply any payment or business-purpose evidence your employer requires. A PDF alone does not guarantee expense approval.
Costco Gas Receipt — Special Case
Costco gas station receipts work differently from in-warehouse receipts:
- Gas receipts print at the pump if you choose "Yes" for receipt
- They are NOT automatically added to your Costco app
- To get a copy after the fact: visit the Membership Counter or call your local warehouse
- For tax mileage logs, keep the receipt or use a digital backup via phone photo
Vehicle-expense substantiation depends on the method used and the travel dates. Use the IRS mileage-rate table for the applicable period and keep the mileage records required by IRS Publication 463. A gas receipt alone does not establish business mileage.
FAQs About Costco Receipts
How do I look up an old Costco receipt online?
In the Costco app, open Account, then Orders & Purchases. On Costco.com, select Orders & Purchases and the In-Warehouse tab for receipts from the last two years. For older warehouse purchases, follow the Costco duplicate-receipt instructions.
What does the E code mean on a Costco receipt?
The E code on a Costco receipt means the item is eligible for SNAP/EBT food benefits. It indicates the item qualifies as a basic food product under federal food assistance program rules. E-coded items are typically unprepared groceries, snacks, and beverages (excluding alcohol and hot prepared foods).
How long does Costco keep receipt records?
Costco publishes two years of warehouse receipts online and directs customers to the membership counter for older copies. It does not promise unlimited online retention. Save your own records.
Can I get a Costco receipt without my card?
Costco asks for photo ID, membership number and purchase date when requesting an older warehouse receipt. If you cannot supply these, ask Member Services what it can verify.
Are digital receipts from the Costco app accepted by the IRS?
An original receipt can support a tax record, but the merchant name and four receipt fields do not establish deductibility. Keep payment evidence and the relevant business-purpose records. See our IRS receipt requirements guide. Use IRS retention guidance to decide how long to keep complete digital copies.
How do I print a Costco receipt from the app?
Open the Costco app, tap Membership → Receipts, select the receipt, tap the Share icon, and choose Print. The receipt opens in your phone browser print preview. You can print directly to a connected printer or save as PDF. On iPhone, choose "Print" from the Share menu. On Android, tap the three-dot menu and select Print.
What is the TC number on a Costco receipt?
The TC (Transaction Code) number is a 23-digit unique identifier printed at the bottom of every Costco receipt. It identifies the specific purchase across Costcos entire system. Membership Counter employees use it for returns, exchanges, and lookups. It is the single most important number on a Costco receipt — keep it if you might need to return anything.
Can I return to Costco without a receipt?
Costco says a receipt may not be necessary for a warehouse return. Bring the item and available purchase details to Member Services; eligibility depends on the Costco return policy.
