How to Set Up Auto-Import for Return Shipments
Plans: Enterprise Platforms: All platforms
The auto-import return shipments feature helps users streamline return logistics by automatically identifying and tracking return shipments by detecting new tracking numbers from carriers like UPS. These return shipments are then linked with the original forward shipments, offering end-to-end visibility into the entire order tracking information.
Return to Sender (RTS) refers to a situation where packages are sent back to the sender due to delivery failure or other issues, unlike customer-initiated returns.
Incorrect or incomplete delivery address
Failure to collect the package within the specified timeframe
Package delivered to the wrong address
Receiver refusing delivery
To enable the auto-import feature for return shipments, follow the below-mentioned steps:
Go to the AfterShip Tracking admin portal.
Navigate to Settings > Shipment tracking.
Under Return shipments, enable the Auto-import shipments returned with new tracking number toggle.
Enabling this feature will use your shipment quota whenever return shipments are detected and imported into the tracking dashboard.
This feature only supports return shipments with separate tracking numbers, associated with forward shipments for UPS
Filter shipments with return shipments
a. Navigate to Tracking dashboards > Shipments > Add filters.
b. Use the Has return shipment filter to find shipments with linked return shipments.
c. Select Yes to filter return shipments.
View return shipment status in the forward shipment details page
a. Navigate to Tracking dashboards.
b. Click on a forward shipment.
c. View the shipment details page to see the status of the linked return shipment.
Currently, AfterShip only supports the auto-import feature for return shipments with separate tracking numbers from UPS.
If you're on the Enterprise plan and use UPS as your carriers, you can track return shipments that have separate tracking numbers by following these steps:
Enable Auto-import return shipment in your Shipment tracking settings.
Filter shipments using either:
Has return shipment filter
Auto-import as the value under the Source filter.
Click on a forward shipment to view the current status of the linked return shipment.
To export shipment data:
Filter by Has return shipment: Yes to export forward shipments with returns
Filter by auto-import to export return shipments from Source filter.
Overview
The auto-import return shipments feature helps users streamline return logistics by automatically identifying and tracking return shipments by detecting new tracking numbers from carriers like UPS. These return shipments are then linked with the original forward shipments, offering end-to-end visibility into the entire order tracking information.
Key features
| Module | Feature |
|---|---|
| Shipment tracking settings | Auto-import return shipments |
| Shipment filters | Filter return shipments using Has return shipment |
| Shipment details page | View return shipment information linked to the original forward shipment |
| Shipments export | Export the return shipments |
What is Return to Sender (RTS) ?
Return to Sender (RTS) refers to a situation where packages are sent back to the sender due to delivery failure or other issues, unlike customer-initiated returns.
Common causes of RTS
Incorrect or incomplete delivery address
Failure to collect the package within the specified timeframe
Package delivered to the wrong address
Receiver refusing delivery
Feature details
Enabling auto-import for return shipments
To enable the auto-import feature for return shipments, follow the below-mentioned steps:
Go to the AfterShip Tracking admin portal.
Navigate to Settings > Shipment tracking.
Under Return shipments, enable the Auto-import shipments returned with new tracking number toggle.
Enabling this feature will use your shipment quota whenever return shipments are detected and imported into the tracking dashboard.
This feature only supports return shipments with separate tracking numbers, associated with forward shipments for UPS
Steps to view return shipments in the shipment dashboard
Filter shipments with return shipments
a. Navigate to Tracking dashboards > Shipments > Add filters.
b. Use the Has return shipment filter to find shipments with linked return shipments.
c. Select Yes to filter return shipments.
View return shipment status in the forward shipment details page
a. Navigate to Tracking dashboards.
b. Click on a forward shipment.
c. View the shipment details page to see the status of the linked return shipment.
FAQs
Q1. Does AfterShip automatically import return shipments for all carriers?
Currently, AfterShip only supports the auto-import feature for return shipments with separate tracking numbers from UPS.
Q2. How can I track return shipments with separate tracking numbers if I use UPS?
If you're on the Enterprise plan and use UPS as your carriers, you can track return shipments that have separate tracking numbers by following these steps:
Enable Auto-import return shipment in your Shipment tracking settings.
Filter shipments using either:
Has return shipment filter
Auto-import as the value under the Source filter.
Click on a forward shipment to view the current status of the linked return shipment.
To export shipment data:
Filter by Has return shipment: Yes to export forward shipments with returns
Filter by auto-import to export return shipments from Source filter.
Updated on: 16/04/2025
Thank you!