Articles on: Refunds and exchanges

Auto-Update Return Status to Shopify with Shopify Returns API

Plans: All plans Platforms: Shopify

Overview



AfterShip Returns will automatically update the return status of an order to “Returned” on Shopify when the Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) is resolved. This is done by integrating with the Shopify Return API . This flow allows you to see which orders have been returned and ensures your tax reports are accurate.

Merchants can filter and manage return statuses directly on Shopify. This simplifies tracking and organizing returns.

When an item is marked as “Returned,” Shopify adjusts the sales report by removing the original item value and related tax from the report. This ensures that your tax reports reflect the actual sales figures after returns.

Example


A partial return is processed for one of the two items originally purchased. The subtotal is adjusted from $130.00 to $80.00 and the taxes are recalculated accordingly. The revised total after the return is $87.20. Since the original payment was $141.70, the refund of $54.50 was calculated to reflect the adjusted total. After completing the return, the net payment remains at $141.70, as the refund has been issued to reconcile the difference.

If no actual refund is issued, AfterShip Returns will record a $0 refund on Shopify but still acknowledge that a return was processed. Additionally, Shopify will account for the remaining value of the adjustment to the original order in the sales report, ensuring all financial discrepancies are properly reflected.




Original Order Details
Original order$141.70
Subtotal2 items$130.00
TaxesTax details
South Carolina State Tax 6%$7.80
Charleston City Tax 1%$1.30
Charleston Co Tt 1%$1.30
Charleston Co Educational Capital Improvements Tax 1%$1.30
Total$141.70
Paid$141.70





Partial return in progress and sales adjustment
Original order$141.70
Subtotal1 item$80.00
TaxesTax details
South Carolina State Tax 6%$4.80
Charleston City Tax 1%$0.80
Charleston Co Tt 1%$0.80
Charleston Co Educational Capital Improvements Tax 1%$0.80
Total$87.20
Paid$141.70
Refund owed$54.50






Partial return completed
Original order$141.70
Subtotal1 item$80.00
TaxesTax details
South Carolina State Tax 6%$4.80
Charleston City Tax 1%$0.80
Charleston Co Tt 1%$0.80
Charleston Co Educational Capital Improvements Tax 1%$0.80
Total$87.20
Paid$141.70
Net payment$141.70



Shopify sales adjustment report


How AfterShip Updates Return Status with Shopify Return API



Return in Progress: When an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) is created, AfterShip Returns updates the item's status to Return in progress on Shopify.

Returned: After the RMA is resolved (i.e., the return is completed), AfterShip Returns updates the item's status to Returned on Shopify.



Limitations



Unfulfilled items: Shopify’s system only allows return status updates for items that have been fulfilled. Therefore, AfterShip Returns cannot update the return status for items that are unfulfilled.

Bundle child items: For bundles sold on Shopify, if customers are allowed to return individual items from a bundle (i.e., bundle child items), AfterShip Returns cannot update the return status for these child items because they do not exist as separate entries in the order.

Updated on: 10/09/2024

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