Shopify features a built-in returns functionality supported by an API that allows third-party return management platforms to enable a seamless integration for improved data consistency and merchant experience.

Shopify Returns API

A few months ago Shopify unveiled the Returns functionality, supported by a powerful Returns API that has been significantly improved in the last weeks.

Prior to this release, Shopify customers were not allowed to process returns but only refunds, which failed to represent the use cases with returns and exchanges that are common in eCommerce nowadays.

Reveni integration

Reveni integrates with the new Shopify Returns API to ensure that all Returns & Exchanges transactions processed in our platform are reflected in Shopify as Returns events.

Return created

When a customers completes a return or exchange request in the Return Portal, the “In progress” transaction is reflected in Shopify as a new return created, including useful information as the customer's return reason:

Return reverse delivery

As soon as the return label has been created, Reveni attaches the information to the recently created return:

Return refund and restock

For returns refunded to the Original Payment Method of the order, Reveni leverages the new refund functionality to refund the return in progress.

Please note the refund action will be triggered immediately for Instant Refunds and after validation for traditional Refunds.

Optionally, you can restock your items to the desired location.

When the refund is processed to an external payment gateway (Bank Transfer or Store Credit), the refund action won't be invoked and the “Refunded” label won't be displayed in Shopify.

Return closed

The return will be closed when the transaction has been validated in the Reveni's Merchant Dashboard, either to accept or reject all the items.

In coming weeks, Reveni is updating the Shopify integration to reflect the validation status in the Return. 

Shopify sales reports

On February 20th, 2024, Shopify announced that Returns will update sales reports. Previously, only Refunds updated sales report, which limited the capabilities of third-party return management platforms to accurately reflect the financial impact of exchanges and refunds processed to external payment gateways.

Reveni leverages this significant update to reflect return sales, which may require diligent action by the store to manage returns.

Both instant and traditional returns are creating Returns in Shopify, which impact sales reports immediately as soon as the customer completes the return transaction in the Return Portal. For non-instant transactions, customers may change their mind and not to finally return the items and the transaction will remain “In progress”.

To avoid this situation, Reveni has introduced a feature that allows a merchant to set a custom deadline (between 14 and 45 days) to auto-cancel non-instant transactions, which in turn will cancel the Shopify Return and will create a new sales return entry in the report that reversed the previous entry.

What's next?

The Returns API will be extended in the next months to support native Exchanges, return shipping and restocking fees, that are already available in the Admin platform.

Reveni will integrate with the new features as soon as they are available in the API, to ensure a seamless integration with all of the native features of Shopify.