Parcel Return Process — With ShippingToGo
Returning a parcel with ShippingToGo takes under 10 minutes. Select your items from order history, and you are automatically redirected to the ShippingToGo returns portal — where address details are pre-filled. Choose from FedEx Economy (free, 7–15 days), UPS Standard ($89.50, 5–10 days), or FedEx Priority ($172.94, 2–5 days) and confirm. Shipping details are sent to your email instantly.
ShippingToGo's Parcel Return Service
ShippingToGo offers a seamless returns management system for e-commerce merchants and their customers. The process is designed to eliminate the friction that typically makes returns difficult — pre-filling order data via API, surfacing real-time courier options with transparent pricing, and delivering return label details directly to the customer's inbox.
Based on ShippingToGo's shipping data, over 30% of e-commerce purchases result in a return request. Providing a smooth, self-service return process is now considered a core part of the post-purchase customer experience, directly affecting repeat purchase rates and customer satisfaction scores.
The ShippingToGo return portal works through a secure API integration. When a customer triggers a return from a merchant's order history page, the system retrieves full order data — product IDs, weights, shipper details — and passes them to the returns form automatically. Customers only need to verify or update their pickup address.
Return Courier Options: Rates and Transit Times
ShippingToGo displays all available couriers for each return shipment, with real-time pricing based on package dimensions and origin. The table below shows standard options available on the ShippingToGo returns platform:
| Courier | Service | Price | Transit Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FedEx | Economy | Free (merchant-covered) | 7–15 business days | Cost-sensitive returns |
| UPS | Standard | $89.50 | 5–10 business days | Balanced speed and cost |
| FedEx | Priority | $172.94 | 2–5 business days | Time-sensitive returns |
Merchant return policies determine which options are available at checkout. Some merchants subsidise FedEx Economy returns entirely, making them free to the customer. Others pass the cost of faster services to the buyer. ShippingToGo displays this clearly at the point of courier selection.
Live Return Process Demo
The demonstration below shows exactly how the ShippingToGo return portal works — from selecting items in your order history through to confirming the return shipment. All data shown is for illustration purposes.
New Parcel Return Service
We offer a simple solution for returning products from online stores. The system allows customers to easily make returns directly from their order history. Below is a demonstration of the complete return process.
How Parcel Returns Work: Step-by-Step Guide
Understanding each stage of the return process helps both merchants and customers manage expectations. Here is a detailed breakdown of every step:
Step 1: Customer Identifies Items to Return
The customer logs into the merchant's website and navigates to their order history. Each order displays all purchased items. The customer expands the relevant order and checks the boxes next to the items they wish to return. The Return button becomes active once at least one item is selected.
Step 2: Redirect and API Data Retrieval
Clicking Return redirects the customer to ShippingToGo's returns portal at a secure URL that includes the order ID and selected product IDs. In the background, ShippingToGo sends an API request to the merchant's system to retrieve full order details — including product weights, dimensions, shipper information, and the recipient (merchant) address. This eliminates the need for manual data entry.
Step 3: Customer Reviews and Confirms Return Details
The return form is pre-populated with all data from the API. Customers can only edit pickup address fields — city, street, house number, and zip code — which are highlighted in orange. All other fields (contact name, email, phone, merchant address) are locked and pre-filled from the order.
Step 4: Courier Selection
Available couriers are displayed with prices and transit times. The customer selects their preferred option and clicks Continue. If the merchant offers free returns, FedEx Economy is pre-selected and highlighted.
Step 5: Confirmation and Label Delivery
Upon clicking Continue, the system finalises the return shipment. A shipping confirmation and tracking number are sent to the customer's registered email address. The merchant's returns team is also notified.
What Items Can Be Returned via ShippingToGo?
ShippingToGo's return service handles most standard consumer goods that can be shipped internationally. Common return categories include:
- Clothing, footwear, and fashion accessories
- Consumer electronics (non-lithium battery, non-hazardous)
- Books, stationery, and home goods
- Cosmetics and personal care products (non-aerosol)
- Sporting goods and equipment
- Toys and games
Certain categories are restricted from international return shipping and cannot be processed through the portal. These include:
- Lithium batteries (standalone or embedded in devices above airline thresholds)
- Flammable liquids, aerosols, and pressurised containers
- Perishable goods and food items
- Live animals
- Counterfeit goods or items with trademark violations
For a full list of restricted items by destination country, see the complete restricted items guide on ShippingToGo.
Integrating ShippingToGo Returns: A Guide for Merchants
Merchants who want to offer the ShippingToGo return portal on their own platforms can do so via API integration. The integration connects the merchant's order management system to ShippingToGo, enabling automatic data retrieval and courier quote display.
Key integration steps include:
- API key setup — Generate a ShippingToGo API key from your merchant account settings.
- Webhook configuration — Set up the return redirect URL on your order history page to point to the ShippingToGo returns portal with the correct order and product parameters.
- Return policy rules — Configure which courier options you want to offer, whether you will subsidise return costs, and any item exclusions.
- Testing — Use the demo mode (shown above) to verify that order data is correctly passed to the return form before going live.
- Go live — Activate the integration and monitor return rates through your ShippingToGo merchant dashboard.
For API documentation and integration guides, visit the ShippingToGo API documentation or contact the ShippingToGo merchant support team.
Related ShippingToGo Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start a parcel return with ShippingToGo?
Log into your account, navigate to Order History, expand the order containing the item you want to return, check the item boxes, and click the Return button. You will be automatically redirected to ShippingToGo's return portal with all order details pre-filled from the merchant's system.
Which couriers are available for returns?
ShippingToGo offers FedEx Economy (free in merchant-subsidised programs, 7–15 days), UPS Standard ($89.50, 5–10 days), and FedEx Priority ($172.94, 2–5 days). Available options depend on your origin country and the merchant's return policy settings.
How long does a return shipment take to arrive?
Transit times depend on the courier selected. FedEx Economy takes 7–15 business days. UPS Standard takes 5–10 days. FedEx Priority takes 2–5 days. International returns are typically slower than domestic returns due to customs processing requirements.
Can I return items from multiple orders at once?
Each return is processed per order. You can initiate separate returns for different orders. Within a single order, you can select multiple items to include in one return shipment, which reduces the per-item return cost compared to creating separate shipments.
What information do I need to provide for a return?
Almost nothing — the system pre-fills your name, email, phone, and the merchant's address automatically. You only need to confirm or update your pickup address: city, street, house number, and zip code. These fields are highlighted in orange on the return form.
Is there a cost to return a parcel?
Cost depends on the merchant's policy and your courier choice. Some merchants offer free FedEx Economy returns. Faster services cost between $89.50 (UPS Standard) and $172.94 (FedEx Priority). ShippingToGo always displays all pricing clearly before you confirm the return.
How will I receive my return tracking number?
Once you complete the return form and click Continue, ShippingToGo sends a confirmation email to your registered email address. This email includes the tracking number, courier details, and an estimated delivery window. You can also track the shipment from your ShippingToGo account dashboard.
What happens if my returned item is damaged in transit?
If you purchased shipping insurance at the time of creating the return, you can file a claim for damaged items. Without insurance, the courier's standard liability applies — typically limited to a small fixed amount per shipment. ShippingToGo recommends purchasing insurance for high-value returns.