Here's what you need to know before your next Costco run.
The Costco Self-Checkout Has Just One Unspoken Rule
Published on Mar. 26, 2025
If you need a place on social media full of vibrant discourse about all things Costco, I have a recommendation. r/Costco on Reddit is a 15-year-old community with nearly a million members who are seriously passionate about all things Costco.
In this subreddit, the Costco self-checkout is a source of endless speculation. It stymies even the most seasoned wholesale shoppers!
What is the self-checkout rule?
Earlier this month, one user took to the Costco subreddit to ask about a recent shopping trip. The OP explains that they went to the self-checkout line with “maybe 20 items” and said the employee overseeing self-checkout personally scanned all the items instead. The Costco employee said there’s no official rule about how many items can be taken through self-checkout, but that 20 is “really too many.”
“Is this an unspoken rule?” the OP asked the subreddit.
It’s a query that has made the rounds on the subreddit for years, and the responses are equally passionate in all directions. On this month’s thread, which so far has nearly 700 upvotes and almost 300 comments, users’ responses range from “I’ve always viewed self-checkout as an express checkout lane” to “If they have a policy they should post it.”
Some shoppers report that their locations have signage indicating a 15-item limit but this seems to be at each store’s discretion. Even people who oppose an item limit admit that a practical line could be drawn somewhere around 20 items, after which the shopper slows down the self-checkout line for everyone else.
In addition to greater efficiency, imposing a limit on self-checkout can be a loss prevention tactic for many stores, as Costco employees say that the self-checkout lanes are where the majority of thefts occur. Fewer items allowed at self-checkout means fewer high-value products sneaking through unpaid.
There’s also a space issue at self-checkout. The small area for scanned purchases simply can’t accommodate upwards of 20 items. It’s not as simple as moving the items directly into shopping bags on the ground after scanning because items have to stay on the scale until after you pay.
The Costco website’s FAQ does not say that self-checkout lanes have an item limit. However, the question lumps self-checkout and express lanes together, perhaps indicating that they should be treated the same way and used for quicker trips and low-volume purchases.
To have the best Costco self-checkout experience, stick to a small number of items. Have your membership card and payment method at the ready. Don’t expect to use a hand scanner, as many locations don’t make those available to customers.
As always, be ready to present your receipt to an employee at the door before leaving. If the process stresses you out, you can always grab a $1.50 hot dog combo as a treat.
