Customize Returns Zones and Routing Rules
AfterShip Returns Center helps merchants with returns management by letting them create routing rules for different zones. This help guide will explain the steps you need to follow to create return zones and routing rules with AfterShip Returns Center.
Log in to your AfterShip Returns Center account > Go to Settings and select Return routing rules > Click Add return zone
Give your return zone a name and add countries along with regions
If no zone is added or the customer’s country does not fall in any defined zones, routing rules for the Rest of the World zone will be applicable.
In case you want to edit or delete your added return zone, simply click three horizontal dots and choose the right option.
Note: You can change your return zone name and add or remove countries and regions
Go to your Return routing rules settings of your AfterShip Returns Center account
Click Add routing rule. You’ll see 3 sections that include the Rule name, Condition, and Returns method
Depending on the condition, you’ll get the options to choose. Available conditions are:
Return reason
Order tag
Product type
Resolution
Return value
Customer tag
Similarly, you have various returns methods to choose from:
Ship with your own carrier
Ship with a return label
Return to a retail store
Green return
Once you’re done with defining the condition and returns method, click Save to finalize your routing rule
Your routing rule will be set as the default one and having the lowest priority.
If you set multiple routing rules under the same return zone, a routing rule will be selected according to the set priority. Let's understand this with an example:
For 1st priority routing rule, condition is when reason is Poor quality/faulty, outcome is Ship with a return label
For 2nd priority routing rule, condition is when reason is Incorrect item received, outcome is Ship with the carrier customers choose
Now, let's assume the shopper wants to return 2 items, and one of the return reasons is poor quality, then 1st priority routing rule will be triggered in this case.
In case you want to edit or delete your routing rule, simply go to the return zone for which you want to change or delete the routing rule and click three horizontal dots and choose the right option.
Note: You can change your routing rule name, condition, and return shipping method
Yes, you can do that. Here's what you need to do:
All of our shipping methods have a dedicated option to set the cost of return. Just choose any shipping method and look for the Cost of return option and select Customize from its menu
Define the currency and enter the amount you want to charge for a return
Click Save to let your changes come into effect
You can set all the currencies you support on your store, but shoppers will see the one in which they made a payment. For example, if the shopper paid in USD at the time of shopping, he will pay in USD at the time of return and won't see other currencies you've set in your AfterShip Returns Center admin
Make sure you set all the currencies you support on your store. Otherwise, you won't be able to charge the cost of return. For example, if the shopper paid in USD at the time of shopping, but you've not set the USD currency in your AfterShip Returns Center admin, then the shopper won't see the cost of return while returning an item
For help, please speak with our support team
🔧 Add a New Zone
Log in to your AfterShip Returns Center account > Go to Settings and select Return routing rules > Click Add return zone
Give your return zone a name and add countries along with regions
If no zone is added or the customer’s country does not fall in any defined zones, routing rules for the Rest of the World zone will be applicable.
🔧 Edit a return zone
In case you want to edit or delete your added return zone, simply click three horizontal dots and choose the right option.
Note: You can change your return zone name and add or remove countries and regions
🔧 Add a new routing rule
Go to your Return routing rules settings of your AfterShip Returns Center account
Click Add routing rule. You’ll see 3 sections that include the Rule name, Condition, and Returns method
Depending on the condition, you’ll get the options to choose. Available conditions are:
Return reason
Order tag
Product type
Resolution
Return value
Customer tag
Similarly, you have various returns methods to choose from:
Ship with your own carrier
Ship with a return label
Return to a retail store
Green return
Once you’re done with defining the condition and returns method, click Save to finalize your routing rule
Your routing rule will be set as the default one and having the lowest priority.
✍️ Important info to keep in mind
If you set multiple routing rules under the same return zone, a routing rule will be selected according to the set priority. Let's understand this with an example:
For 1st priority routing rule, condition is when reason is Poor quality/faulty, outcome is Ship with a return label
For 2nd priority routing rule, condition is when reason is Incorrect item received, outcome is Ship with the carrier customers choose
Now, let's assume the shopper wants to return 2 items, and one of the return reasons is poor quality, then 1st priority routing rule will be triggered in this case.
🔧 Edit a routing rule
In case you want to edit or delete your routing rule, simply go to the return zone for which you want to change or delete the routing rule and click three horizontal dots and choose the right option.
Note: You can change your routing rule name, condition, and return shipping method
🤔 Can I set the cost of return as well?
Yes, you can do that. Here's what you need to do:
All of our shipping methods have a dedicated option to set the cost of return. Just choose any shipping method and look for the Cost of return option and select Customize from its menu
Define the currency and enter the amount you want to charge for a return
Click Save to let your changes come into effect
✍️ Important info to keep in mind
You can set all the currencies you support on your store, but shoppers will see the one in which they made a payment. For example, if the shopper paid in USD at the time of shopping, he will pay in USD at the time of return and won't see other currencies you've set in your AfterShip Returns Center admin
Make sure you set all the currencies you support on your store. Otherwise, you won't be able to charge the cost of return. For example, if the shopper paid in USD at the time of shopping, but you've not set the USD currency in your AfterShip Returns Center admin, then the shopper won't see the cost of return while returning an item
For help, please speak with our support team
Updated on: 26/08/2022
Thank you!