Set Up Advanced Exchange in AfterShip Returns

Overview

When shoppers return an item, they often want to exchange it for another colour, style, or even a similar product. The Advanced Exchange feature in AfterShip Returns lets you offer that flexibility, consequently helping you retain store revenue. Unlike the standard exchange option, Advanced Exchange allows shoppers to exchange across different products. 

For example, swapping a red shirt for a blue one, or even a different shirt in the same collection.

What you'll learn

In this article, we will show you:

• Why it's useful
• How to set up Advanced Exchange
• Shoppers experience
• Key takeaways
• FAQs

Why it’s useful

Before this feature, shoppers could only exchange an item for another variant (like a different size or colour). With Advanced Exchange, they can now:

• Choose from a predefined list of similar or related products
• Swap items across different styles, colours, or designs
• Offers a more flexible and satisfying return process to your Shoppers

For your brand, it means higher revenue retention and a better post-purchase experience.

How to set up Advanced Exchange

Follow these steps to configure Advanced Exchange in your AfterShip Returns admin.

Step 1: Go to the Exchange Settings

1. Log in to your AfterShip Returns admin.
2. Navigate to Return Policy → Refunds and Exchanges → Exchange.
3. Under Advanced Exchange, click Create Exchange Group.

Step 2: Create an Exchange Group

Each exchange group helps AfterShip identify which products can be swapped with each other.

1. Add a Group Name: Enter a name for your exchange group. This name will appear to shoppers during the return process.

2. Set Product Pairing (Product Mapping): Define which products can be exchanged for which.

If the return and exchange items match your conditions, the shopper will see the eligible options automatically.

Supported platforms

• Product tag: Shopify, Magento 2, AfterShip Commerce API
• Product type: Shopify, Magento 2, BigCommerce, AfterShip Commerce API
• Product name: All platforms (only used for return products)
• Collection: Shopify only

Important note:

• Product tag and Product type are snapshots from the original order. They don’t update in real time.
• The Product name field uses a “contains” match. For example, if the return item is named “Summer T-Shirt” and you enter “T-Shirt”, the system will still match it to the Summer T-Shirt product.

3. Set Pricing Rules: Decide how to handle price differences between the return and exchange items:

• Treat them as even exchanges, or
• Charge or refund the price difference (needs Shopify or Stripe checkout).

4. Click Create to save, and then test your setup to confirm everything works as expected.

Shoppers experience

When shoppers start a return and their item matches your Advanced Exchange rules, they’ll see an “Exchange for another product” option during the return process.

They can then browse through the preconfigured list of eligible products, not just size or colour variants, and pick the one they want instead.

Item-level view:

RMA-level view:

Once they select the new item, the rest of the process continues just as a regular exchange would.

Key takeaways

• Advanced Exchange helps retain more revenue by encouraging product exchanges instead of refunds.
• Define custom exchange groups to control which products can be exchanged with each other.
• You can manage pricing rules — either treat exchanges as even or charge/refund the difference.
• Ensure Variant Exchange is enabled before setting up Advanced Exchange.
• For Shopify checkout, exchange orders are auto-created as soon as the RMA is generated.

FAQs

1. How many product groups can I create?

There’s no limit. If multiple groups match the shopper’s return item, all of them will appear on the returns page so the shopper can choose from more options.

2. Why can’t I trigger the product group?

This can happen for a few reasons:

• AfterShip uses a snapshot of the product details at the time of order creation. If you added or updated product tags/types after the order was placed, they won’t apply to that order.
• Ensure you’ve enabled Variant Exchange in your resolutions or workflow settings. Advanced Exchange builds on variant exchange and won’t work as a standalone feature.

3. I enabled variant exchange and conditions matched, but still can’t see Advanced Exchange option. Why?

Check these two things:

• The return item might still be in draft status in your eCommerce platform.
• Or, the item might be out of stock (and the “continue selling” option is disabled).

If either is true, variant exchange — and therefore advanced exchange — won’t appear. Make sure the product is available and in stock.

4. I didn’t enable auto-create exchange order automation. Why is the exchange order created immediately?

If you’re using Shopify checkout, the exchange order will be created as soon as the RMA is generated, even if you haven’t enabled “Auto-create exchange order” automation. The auto-create exchange order automation applies to Stripe checkout or no-checkout account.

Updated on: 17/10/2025