How to Set Up Auto-Import for Return Shipments

Overview

The auto-import return shipments with new tracking number 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

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:

1. Go to the AfterShip Tracking admin portal.
2. Navigate to Settings > Shipment tracking.
3. Under Return shipments, enable the Auto-import shipments returned with new tracking number toggle.

Steps to view return shipments in the shipment dashboard

1. 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.

2. 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:

1. Enable Auto-import return shipment in your Shipment tracking settings.
2. Filter shipments using either:

• Has return shipment filter

• Auto-import as the value under the Source filter.

3. Click on a forward shipment to view the current status of the linked return shipment. After the shipment is updated to the Exception status, you can see the return journey of the shipment to the sender.

4. To export shipment data:

• Filter by Has return shipment: Yes to filter forward shipments data with returns. Click on the Export button to export data based on the filters you've applied.

• Filter by auto-import to export return shipments from Source filter. Click on the Export button to export data based on the filters you've applied.

Q3. Will enabling the auto-import return shipments feature affect my shipment quota?

Yes, enabling this feature will use your shipment quota whenever return shipments are detected and imported into the tracking dashboard.

Key takeaways

• Auto-import return shipments feature streamlines tracking by linking return shipments to original forward shipments.
• Return to Sender (RTS) exception status occurs when a package is returned due to certain delivery issues (e.g., incorrect address).
• You can enable auto-import for UPS return shipments by toggling on the setting in the Shipment tracking configuration portal.
• The feature is currently supported for UPS return shipments with separate tracking numbers.
• Tracking status of return shipments can be easily done by filtering shipments data by Has return shipment or Auto-import in the dashboard.
• Export options are available based on the applied filters like Has return shipment or Auto-import.
• You can view return shipment details directly from the forward shipment’s details page.

Updated on: 13/10/2025