Want to Sail Through Costco’s Checkout Line? Follow This Trick All Smart Costco Shoppers Know
I can sit here all day and count the reasons I love Costco, from the low prices to the food-court offerings to the sheer number of goods. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t call out the retailer’s lone red flag: super slow checkout lines. There are days when I actually extend my shopping trip, adding more stuff to my cart, just because I don’t want to face that gnarly line again too soon.
Here’s the thing: If the Costco community banded together to share tips for breezing through checkout, we’d all save so much time. So let’s get into the intel we all need.
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How do the checkout lines at Costco work?
If you’re a Costco newbie, the checkout lines at the warehouse may feel a little daunting. You’ll see Costco shoppers placing some items on the conveyor belt but keeping others in their carts for scanning. What gives?
Generally, there are two employees stationed at each Costco checkout stand. One is there to help with the unloading and reloading of your cart; the other is there to scan. The heaviest items will stay put in the cart to make life easier for both you and the employee tasked with the unloading.
If there’s only one employee there to scan, you can put the lighter, more maneuverable items on the conveyor yourself. Then give the cashier the heads-up that you have items to scan in your cart.
How can you speed up the checkout process?
The trick is to shop smarter, starting the minute you begin adding items to your cart. “Shoppers can speed things up by positioning barcodes upward for easy scanning,” says Kristen Markel, a 20-year Costco member who runs the site Warehouse Wanderer, which covers all things Costco.
This means that while you’re moving through the store, you’re placing items in the cart with that barcode showing—not tossing your Kirkland french fries into the basket without a thought (beyond, you know, how delicious they’ll be when crispy). Consider how much easier it is to scan those items at checkout when you aren’t trying to find the UPC code on a giant package.
It might seem like a small thing, but it makes a big impact on how long you—and the shoppers behind you—are standing at the register.
How else can you speed up the process?
While placing products into your cart barcode side up is a biggie, there are a few other ways to make Costco checkout a smoother experience.
- Have your Costco card ready. “This is the easiest way to breeze through Costco’s checkout,” Markel says. “Have your membership card ready—better yet, download the Costco app for quick access to your digital card.”
- Pay with a debit or credit card. Whether you tap, insert or swipe your card, this method of payment is speedier than cash (which requires change) or check (which requires manager or supervisor approval).
- Stay clear of the cart unloader. The two employees at the Costco checkout are there to keep things moving. Though there may be some instances where you can assist the cart unloader, try not to get in the way. If they’re moving quickly, let them do their thing.
Is Costco self-checkout faster?
Not necessarily. If you’re going to use self-checkout, make sure you aren’t purchasing any alcohol (which should be done through regular checkout and will require an ID check) and are paying by card. You’ll still need to have your membership card ready to show a Costco employee and will likely need an employee to scan items that are too bulky to lift.
Note that Costco’s self-checkout doesn’t have individual scanner guns, so you’ll need to remove everything from your cart and move it across the countertop scanner to pay.
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Source:
- Kristen Markel, founder of the site Warehouse Wanderer and Costco member for over 20 years; interviewed, March 2025
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