Auto-Expire Return Requests

Overview

The Auto-expire return request feature helps merchants to automatically close return requests when shoppers don’t ship items back within a defined time. Once expired, any unused return label generated by AfterShip is voided (for supported carriers), saving you time and reducing manual follow-ups.

What you’ll learn

In this article, we will show you:

• How does Auto-expire return requests help?
• How to enable auto-expire return request?
• Set up email notifications
• Expiration logic for different return methods
• Shopper experience
• Merchant experience
• Additional tips
• Key takeaways
• FAQs

How does Auto-expire return requests help?

The auto-expire return request feature is beneficial for both merchants and shoppers:

Improve merchant efficiency

• Automatically expire return requests after X days with no shipment update.
• Void return labels generated by AfterShip (for carriers that support label void via API).
• Reduce manual checks and cleanup in the returns dashboard.

Improve shopper experience

• Notify the shoppers by showing a countdown on the returns page so they know the deadline.
• Send reminder emails to the shoppers if the item hasn’t been shipped within X days.

How to enable auto-expire return request?

1. Navigate to the Return policy in the AfterShip Returns admin.
2. Click ‘Automation rule’.
3. Enable ‘Auto-expire return requests’.
4. Set the expiration period (number of days).
5. Click Save.

Set up email notifications 

Go to Customization > click Notifications. You can notify shoppers about return expiration at two key moments:

Request expiration reminder

• Configure the reminder trigger to notify shoppers before the auto-expire period.
• This reminds shoppers to ship their items back on time.

Return request expired

All the existing merchants can update their email template using the default new message template:

Hi *|CUSTOMER_NAME|*,

Your return request (RMA #*|RMA_ID|*) has expired because the return wasn't shipped in time.

If you still need to make a return, please submit a new request.

For any questions, feel free to contact us at *|CONTACT_US|*.

*|STORE_NAME|*

Expiration logic for different return methods

Shopper experience

Once a return request is approved, shoppers see a countdown timer on the returns page. This indicates how long they have to ship the item before the return expires.

Merchant experience

• When the expiration period ends, the return request is automatically moved to Expired.
• If the return label was generated by AfterShip, it is automatically voided (for supported carriers).

Additional tips for existing merchants

• If the Auto-expire return label was already enabled, the Auto-expire return requests is enabled automatically.
• Update your Return expired email template with the new default version.
• You can adjust the expiration period anytime to match your internal return policy.

Key takeaways

• The auto-expire return requests feature automatically expires return requests when shoppers don’t ship items back within the defined time.
• This applies to all return methods, replacing the earlier auto-cancel return label behavior.
• The feature voids unused return labels generated by AfterShip for supported carriers, reducing manual effort.
• Simple to enable and manage: Go to Return policy > Automation, with flexible updates to match your return policy.
• Improves shopper clarity with a visible countdown, timely reminder and expiration emails.

FAQs

Q. If I enable Auto-expire return requests or change the period, will it affect existing return requests?

No. Automation changes only apply to new return requests created after the update. Existing return requests follow the policy that was active when they were created.

If you disable the automation, return requests will no longer expire automatically.

Q. Which carriers support return label voiding?

Carriers like Australia Post, Canada Post, Correos Spain, DPD NL, Endicia, FedEx®, Porter Express, StarTrack, UPS, and USPS support return label voiding.

Note: The list will continue to expand as more carriers add support.

Q. Why did the return label cancellation fail?

• The carrier may not support label voiding through AfterShip.
• Some carriers have a shorter label validation period (less than 28 days).
• If the label was already voided by the carrier, an error may be returned when expiration is triggered.

Q. Why was a package delivered after the return request expired?

In some cases, shoppers may drop off the package just before the expiration deadline. In these cases, carrier processing happens outside AfterShip’s control, so merchants may need to manually handle these returned packages.

Updated on: 19/01/2026