Flexible Preprinted Parcel Returns Overview
The Flexible Preprinted Parcel Returns feature allows customers to pre-define the carrier and service class used for inbound (return) shipments. This feature automates returns during outbound shipping. This automated process leverages features such as Shipment Tags, Shipment Rules, and search functionality.
- Return shipment details are available to use through the API.
- Only one return is allowed for each outbound order. When the user adds a Return tag for an order already designated for a return,
the Trace information is updated (Shipment Trace/ Log information). Refer to the Logging / Shipment Trace row in the UI
Components table below.
Setting Up Preprinted Parcel Returns
To use automated shipment returns, the license (listed below) must be installed, and the return shipment tag must be applied.
To set up Preprinted Parcel Returns, do the following:
Flexible Preprinted Parcel Returns is a licensed feature; contact your Pacejet Shipping Account Manager for licensing information.
Optionally, you can install and configure shipment rules to modify return behavior (see below for more details).
Verify the Return shipment tag exists on orders that require a return label.
License and Shipment Rule
Return automation is dependent on the license, ReturnShipping, being installed. However, all manual return options are available to customers who do not have this license installed.
This feature uses the ReturnShipping license and the Set Carrier - Service for Parcel Returns Shipping Rule. Optionally, there are two additional Shipment Rules.
The three Shipment Rules are described below:
Rule Name |
Rule Type |
Description |
Set Carrier - Service for Parcel Return |
Return |
This rule sets the Carrier Class of Service (CCOS) for the return shipment when the criteria are met for the outbound shipping execution. |
Create Return After Rate Shopping |
Pre-ship |
This rule is triggered after Rate Shopping occurs. A return shipment will be created if the Carrier-Service selected matches the Outbound Carrier-Service Parameter. |
Create Return When Carrier Is Passed |
Post-import |
This rule creates a return shipment when the Carrier-Service is passed to Pacejet and matches the Outbound Carrier-Service Parameter. The Shipment Tag, Return, will be assigned to all shipments that meet these criteria.? |
Return Process Flow
Shipment Tag
The Return shipment tag has two important roles:
Indicates that a separate return shipment will be created for the outbound shipment.
Triggers the automation responsible for creating the preprinted return label.
Users also have the option to cancel individual returns by deleting the Return shipment tag.
UI Components
UI components for this feature are listed below:
| ||
Items |
License Required |
Set Carrier - Service for Parcel Returns Shipping Rule enabled is required |
|
Shipment Tag Handling If the Return Shipment Tag exists, the return still generates during outbound shipping execution. However, if the return shipment uses the same Carrier – Service used on the outbound order, the Ship To/Ship From are flipped for the return order. This flow mirrors how manual returns are generated from the Shipments page.
|
yes |
no |
|
Overriding Return Shipment Tag Deleting the Return Shipment Tag allows the shipper to override the Return Business Logic; in other words, no return shipment will be created during outbound shipment execution. If the user clicks Rate & Ship to rate shop or auto ships and the criteria are met, the user will not be able to override the return shipment.
|
yes |
no |
|
Return Transaction IDs All return shipments that are generated start with an “R”. |
no |
no |
|
Shipment Confirmation screen: Progress Symbol Processing Return Shipment (spinning symbol) displays and transitions to green once the return shipment completes. |
yes |
no |
|
Shipment Confirmation screen: Link A link is displayed for all outbound shipments. This link is hidden when viewing the Shipment Confirmation screen for Return orders/Inbound orders.
|
no |
no |
Added Inbound Shipment Summary |
no |
no |
|
Logging / Shipment Trace Outbound Trace Text: Return Shipment <Return Number> was created. Inbound Trace Text: Return Shipment was created from <Outbound DO>. |
yes |
yes |
|
Document Type A document type called Return allows customers to choose which shipping documents to print for returned shipments and shipping labels. |
no |
no |
API Call for Inbound or Outbound Shipment
When performing an API call against either the inbound or outbound shipment, the returnControlNumber is displayed in the API response for the following endpoints:
ShipmentConfirms
ShipmentConfirmsContainer
VoidConfirms