Legal Documents Every Shopify Store Needs (UK)

Shopify makes it easy to launch a store. The legal side is your responsibility — and there's more to it than most new store owners realise.

Here's exactly what you need as a UK-based Shopify seller.

1. Privacy Policy — required

The moment someone visits your store, data collection begins. Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, Shopify's own tracking — all of it is happening before anyone adds anything to their cart.

Under UK GDPR, you need a privacy policy that explains:

• What data you collect (browsing behaviour, purchase history, email addresses)
• How you use it (order fulfilment, marketing, analytics)
• Which third parties receive it (Stripe, Mailchimp, Meta, Google)
• How long you keep it
• How customers can request deletion

Shopify has a basic privacy policy generator built in, but it's generic. A personalised policy that reflects your actual data practices is better legally and looks more professional.

2. Terms and Conditions — required

Your terms define the relationship between you and your customers. For a UK e-commerce store, they need to cover:

• What you sell and what you don't guarantee
• Payment terms
• Order acceptance (you reserve the right to cancel orders)
• Intellectual property (your product images, descriptions, branding)
• Limitation of liability
• Governing law (England and Wales, or Scotland)

3. Refund Policy — legally required in the UK

This one is non-negotiable. Under the UK Consumer Contracts Regulations, online shoppers have a legal right to a 14-day cancellation period for most goods.

Your refund policy must state:

• The returns window (minimum 14 days for physical goods)
• How customers start the return process
• Who pays return postage
• How and when refunds are processed
• Any exceptions (personalised items, perishables, digital downloads)

Digital products are different. Once a digital product has been downloaded or accessed, the 14-day right to cancel can be waived — but only if the customer explicitly acknowledges this before purchase.

4. Cookie Policy — required

Shopify stores use cookies extensively — session cookies, cart cookies, analytics, retargeting pixels. Under UK PECR, you need a cookie policy and a consent banner.

Your cookie policy needs to list:

• What cookies your store uses
• Which are essential vs optional
• Which third-party cookies are set (Meta Pixel, Google Analytics, etc.)
• How customers can manage preferences

5. Shipping Policy — strongly recommended

Not a legal requirement, but customers expect to find it. Clearly stating:

• Processing times
• Shipping methods and estimated delivery
• International shipping (if applicable)
• What happens if an order is lost

Reduces customer service queries significantly.

Where to put them

All policies should be:

• Linked in your Shopify footer
• Added to your checkout flow (Shopify has a built-in field for policy links)
• Accessible before purchase

Shopify Settings → Legal is where you paste your policy text. Then Settings → Checkout lets you display them at checkout.

Generate your Shopify store documents

Need this document for your business? InkTerms generates it in minutes — tailored to your answers, in plain English.