Return Methods
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      Ship With Pre-Paid Label

      Last Updated: May 12, 2025

      The Ship with pre-paid label return method enables you to send a pre-paid label to your customers that they can use to ship their items back. 

      ReturnGO can generate pre-paid labels through your 3rd-party shipping provider, which you can integrate and link with your ReturnGO account. 

      ReturnGO connects to 3rd party shipping system via API. Each shipping provider's API will have different requirements and capabilities. For example, Shippo, EasyPost, and SendCloud generate return labels and QR codes, while ShippyPro only provides return labels and does not offer QR codes.

      View a full comparison of which shipping integrations support which features such as QR codes or international returns.

      If a carrier is available in your shipping account but does not appear in the carriers list in ReturnGO: 

      1. The carrier does not support return labels. 
      2. The carrier is not set for return labels in the carrier settings. 

      Configuring Ship with Pre-Paid Label Return Methods 

      To configure ship with pre-paid label return methods: 

      1. Go to Settings > Return Methods.
      2. Open the Ship with Pre-Paid Label section. 
      3. Click the pencil icon next to the return method you want to edit.

      4. Open the Details section. 
      5. Set the Internal Name. 
      6. Set the Display Name. 
      7. Set the Description.
      8. Select Ship with Pre-Paid Label as the Return Method Type.

      9. Open the Shipping Label Settings section.
      10. Choose your shipping service account from the list of connected integrations.
        1. Connect additional carriers from the integrations page.
      11. Select the Carrier to use for return labels.
        1.  Note that to offer QR codes you must select a carrier that supports QR codes.

      12. Select the Service Level for return labels, which defines delivery parameters like duration, mode, and costs.

      13. Choose the Package Type to use the pre-defined package dimensions supported by the carrier. This field only appears if the service carrier you choose has preset package dimensions. The package type is ignored if you set custom package dimensions.

      14. Toggle Generate Forward Shipping Labels to create a forward shipping label regardless of whether return labels are supported.

      15. Toggle Require Recipient Signature to ask for a signature upon delivery.

      16. Select the Label Type to send a printable label, a QR code for drop-off, or both.

      a. To offer QR codes, make sure the carrier and service level you’ve selected support QR codes.

      17. Enter the Default Weight.

      18. Enter the Weight Unit.

      19. Toggle Use Custom Package Dimensions to set the length, width, and height of your packages. Length is the longest dimension, usually in inches.

      Note: Some services require custom package dimensions, e.g. USPS First Class Mail, FedEx Ground, and UPS Mail Innovation. 

      20. Open the Return Address and Restocking Location section.

      Note: The default return address is the store address as it is defined in your eCommerce store.

      21. Review and update your return address, which will be printed on the return label sent to your customers. 

      Note: The rest of the settings may vary depending on the connected shipping carrier.

      22. Open the Shipping Instructions section.

      23. Edit the content of the instructions that will appear in the approval email for this return method.

      You can use the following variables in your shipping instructions:

      • {qr_code}: Adds the image of the QR code. Include only if a QR code is provided with this return method.
      • {print_label_button}: Adds a button to download the return shipping label. Include only if a printable label is provided with this return method.
      24. Click on the save icon to save your changes.

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      Note: Make sure to add a link with the locations and opening hours of your carrier of choice so the customer knows where to take their package to send it back.

      Once set, you can start using the return method you just configured in your policy rules.

      Custom Package Dimensions

      Custom package dimensions are used when the Use Custom Package Dimensions setting is enabled and no package type is selected in the return method.

      If a package type is chosen, the system uses the predefined dimensions associated with that package type instead of the custom values entered.

      If custom dimensions are configured in the return method, those dimensions will be used for all return labels created with that return method, even if the actual items being shipped vary in size.

      Note: The system does not determine package dimensions automatically. The dimensions used for the return label are based only on what is configured in the return method.

      Custom dimensions are required for some services.

      To set custom package dimensions:

      1. Go to Settings > Return Methods.
      2. Open the Ship with Pre-Paid Label section.
      3. Click the pencil icon next to the return method you want to edit.
      4. Open the Shipping Label Settings section.
      5. Ensure that Package Type is not selected.

      Note: Custom package dimensions are only used if Package Type is not selected.

      6. Enable the Use Custom Package Dimensions toggle.

      7. Enter the Length, Width, and Height of the package.

      8. Click the save icon to save your changes.

      Label Type Behavior

      When you choose auto-select-cheapest in the service level, the system automatically selects the most affordable shipping option, overriding any other preferences you've set.

      Your connected shipping provider generates shipping labels, and the label format, such as a printable label or a QR code, depends on what the selected carrier and service level support.

      Example: 

      If auto-select-cheapest is enabled and the cheapest shipping option uses QR codes, you'll receive a QR code label even if you previously specified a different label type preference. The cost-saving setting takes priority over label format preferences.