Storeship's returns management covers every return coming back to you, whether the order was originally shipped from our warehouse or not, through a free, branded returns portal your customers can use themselves. This page sets out exactly how that ecommerce returns management process works, from the moment a customer requests a return through to what happens to the stock once it's back with us.
Most returns are checked in and processed within 24 hours of arrival.
Once a return arrives, what happens next is entirely your call. Different products often need different handling: a damaged item might need photographing and disposing of, while clothing ordered in the wrong size might just need a quick check before it goes back on the shelf. Depending on your instructions, we can:
You set the rule for each scenario once, and we follow it consistently, rather than needing a decision from you every time a return comes in.
If you sell across borders, returns shipped back individually can each attract their own customs charge on the way in. That adds up quickly if returns come back one at a time throughout the month rather than in a batch. Consolidating returns into a single consignment, rather than shipping each one back separately, can reduce the number of separate customs charges you're exposed to, since the goods move as one shipment instead of many.
Separately, if duty was originally paid when an item was shipped out, Returned Goods Relief may let you reclaim it. HMRC allows relief from Customs Duty and import VAT on goods re-imported to the UK within 3 years of export, provided they come back unaltered. This applies whether a return is shipped back individually or as part of a consolidated batch, so it's worth checking eligibility per return alongside consolidating where you can.
Every returned package is assigned an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorisation) code automatically, so both you and we can track it and confirm it's a genuine return from your business rather than an unverified parcel. This matters more than it sounds when a dispute comes up: an RMA code gives you a specific record to point to, rather than relying on a customer's word for what they sent back and when. You can view the status of every return alongside the rest of your stock and order data through our free fulfilment software.
A free branded returns portal and discounted postal rates are included as standard across all of Storeship's pricing plans. Returned stock is charged at standard storage rates while it's with us, and checking and restocking returned items carries a £3 fee per item. Storeship has operated independently since 2009 and is registered under HMRC's Fulfilment House Due Diligence Scheme (FHDDS: XZFH00000100040). We currently process stock for over 700 UK and international ecommerce sellers, having handled more than 945,000 orders. Full company details are on our About Storeship page.
Returns are one part of a wider fulfilment operation. For the full picture of how storage, picking, and shipping work alongside returns, see our ecommerce fulfilment centre page, or our wider 3PL fulfilment services. Restocked returns feed back into your stock management, and sit in our ecommerce storage alongside the rest of your stock.
Our 3PR Third Party Returns service helps retailers worldwide manage their UK based product returns, our warehouse can receive products directly from your customers into our warehouse, from there we can check the condition, process the third party return (3PR) and then decide directly with the retailer how to handle the returned products, for many we store the returned products for you until a viable quantity is reached to ship back to the retailer or manufacturer in one consignment, alternatively we can reship the product back out to existing or new customers.
3PR is a term used for third party returns first used by Storeship in 2025.
If you want a returns process that's clear, tracked, and included as standard, request a free quote tailored to your order volume and product type.
Yes. We accept third-party returns alongside orders we've fulfilled ourselves, so all your returns can go through the same process regardless of whether the original order was shipped from our warehouse or came through Shopify, Amazon, eBay, or elsewhere.
Most returns are checked in and processed within 24 business hours of arrival.
That's your call. Depending on your instructions, we can restock saleable items, quarantine or dispose of items you don't want back, return items to your supplier, repack or relabel where needed, or send items on to a third party.
Consolidating returns into a single consignment, rather than shipping each one back separately, can reduce the number of separate customs charges you're exposed to. Separately, if duty was paid when the item was originally shipped out, Returned Goods Relief may let you reclaim it: HMRC allows relief on goods re-imported to the UK within 3 years of export, provided they come back unaltered.
The branded returns portal and postage discounts are included as standard across all of Storeship's plans. Returned stock is charged at standard storage rates while it's with us, and checking and restocking returned items carries a £3 fee per item.
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