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Use AfterShip Post-purchase MCP with an AI Assistant

Learn how to connect AfterShip Post-purchase MCP with Claude, ask about shipments and returns, and get live AfterShip data through your AI assistant.

Who can use AfterShip Post-purchase MCP?

AfterShip Post-purchase MCP is useful for support, operations, and logistics teams who regularly use AfterShip to check shipments or returns.

Overview

AfterShip Post-purchase MCP connects your AfterShip account with an AI assistant, such as Claude, letting you ask questions about your shipments and returns and get answers using your latest AfterShip data. You just need to connect once (a one-time sign-in).

For example, you can ask:

  • “Where is order #12345?”

  • “List all returns waiting for approval this week.”

The assistant retrieves the relevant information from AfterShip and presents it in everyday language, so you don't need to switch between dashboards or manually search for tracking or return details between tabs.

What is MCP?

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open, industry-standard adapter that allows compatible AI assistants to connect with business tools such as AfterShip.

You don't need to understand how MCP works to use it. Think of it like a USB port that lets compatible AI assistants connect to AfterShip and access the actions AfterShip makes available. Learn more at Model Context Protocol.

How AfterShip Post-purchase MCP works

You won’t see this process happening, but here’s what happens when you ask your AI assistant about your shipments or returns:

  1. You ask the assistant a question or give it a task.

  2. The assistant selects the appropriate AfterShip tool.

  3. AfterShip retrieves the information from your live data and sends the result back.

  4. The assistant uses the result to provide an answer in plain language.

You can use AfterShip Post-purchase MCP to look up shipments and return information directly from your AI assistant without manually searching in AfterShip. No coding or developer setup is required.

What you can ask the assistant

AfterShip Post-purchase MCP is read-only, so it can look up and report your data but cannot change, cancel, or edit anything in your AfterShip account.

The connector provides five tools for tracking and returns. Your assistant automatically chooses the appropriate tool based on your request.

Area

What you can ask your assistant to do

Tools used

Tracking

Find and filter shipments by status, carrier, date, delivery issue, country, and more.

You can also open a shipment to view its full delivery timeline and estimated delivery date.

list_shipments, get_shipment, list_tracking_filter_options

Returns

Search return requests (RMAs) by status, refund status, or date.

You can also open a return to view its items, reasons, refund progress, and history.

list_returns, get_return

Note:

You're always in control. Because the connector is read-only, there's nothing to undo. And because MCP is an open standard, the same connection can work with compatible AI assistants, so you're not limited to one assistant.

Common use cases

Use cases

Value

Prompt

Find shipments that need attention

Use the assistant to find shipments with delivery problems, such as exceptions, delays, or expired cases, so support and logistics teams can follow up.

Show me all exception shipments from the last 7 days and group them by carrier.

Or try:

Find all expired shipments from the last 30 days.

Check an order or customer

Quickly find the latest shipment status and delivery timeline using an order number, tracking number, or customer email.

Check the tracking details for order number #12345.

Or try:

Where is the tracking number 123456789 now?

Search and summarize returns

Get a quick overview of your returns by status, outcome, or value to review your returns queue and identify items that need follow-up.

List all returns pending approval from the last 7 days.

Or try:

Show me returns submitted this month and summarize them by status.

Review a return in full

Get all the details of an individual return, including its items, reasons, exchange details, refund progress, and key dates, without opening the admin.

Show me the details for RMA #RMA12345.

Or try:

Check whether order #12345 has a return request.

Tips:

If your AI assistant supports scheduling, you can turn these requests into recurring checks. For example, ask: "Every day at 9 AM, list any exception or delayed shipments from the last 24 hours; say 'all clear' if there are none."

What you need before you start

Before connecting AfterShip Post-purchase MCP, make sure you have:

  • The Claude app, either Claude Desktop or Claude.ai in a browser, signed in.

  • An AfterShip account with access to the organization you want to connect.

  • About two minutes to complete the one-time secure sign-in using OAuth.

You don't need to enter a password or key in a settings file; just approve access through a browser window.

Connect AfterShip Post-purchase MCP to Claude

You can connect the connector from Claude's Connectors settings. Here are two ways to do it:

Method 1: Connect from the Connectors directory

This is a recommended option:

  1. In Claude, go to Settings > Connectors.

  2. Search for AfterShip Post-purchase.

  3. On the results, click Connect.

If the connector doesn't appear in the search results yet, use the manual setup method below.

Method 2: Add the connector manually

  1. In Claude, go to Settings > Connectors.

  2. Click Add custom connector.

  3. Enter the following details:

  4. Click Add.

Sign in to AfterShip

After adding the connector:

  1. Click Connect.

  2. In the browser window that opens, sign in to AfterShip.

  3. Select the AfterShip organization you want the assistant to access.

  4. Return to Claude.

Your connector is now connected.

Verify the connection

To verify, start a new conversation in Claude and ask:

“What tools does the AfterShip Post-purchase connector provide?”

The assistant should list tools such as list_shipments, get_shipment, list_returns, and get_return without running them.

Important things to know

  • Read-only: The connector can view and report shipment and return information. It can't create, change, or delete anything in your account.

  • Live data: Answers are based on the information currently available in AfterShip.

  • One organization: The connector only accesses the AfterShip organization you selected during sign-in.

  • Compatible assistants (not locked to one assistant): MCP is an open standard, so the connector can work with compatible AI assistants as they add support.

Troubleshooting connection issues

Issue 1: The "Add custom connector" option isn't available

  1. Update Claude to the latest version.

  2. Reopen Settings.

If you're using a Team or Enterprise plan, adding connectors may be limited to admins. Ask your organization's owner to add the connector to the workspace.

Issue 2: The sign-in window doesn't open

  1. Firstly, check that your browser isn't blocking pop-ups from Claude.

  2. Click Connect again.

Issue 3: The assistant shows data from the wrong organization

  1. Go to Settings > click Connectors.

  2. Remove the AfterShip Post-purchase connector and add it again.

  3. During sign-in, select the correct AfterShip organization.

If you're still unable to connect, contact AfterShip Support.

Key takeaways

  • AfterShip Post-purchase MCP lets you ask an AI assistant about your shipments and returns using your live AfterShip data.

  • The connector is read-only and cannot change, cancel, or edit your AfterShip data.

  • You can connect it to Claude through the Connectors directory or add it manually.

  • The connection is scoped to the AfterShip organization you select during sign-in.

  • Once connected, you can ask the assistant to find shipments, review tracking details, search returns, and view individual return information.

For more technical information about AfterShip Post-purchase MCP, see the AfterShip Post-purchase MCP developer documentation.

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