Automations save you time by handling routine return tasks automatically. Instead of manually approving, processing, and restocking every return, you can set rules that do it for you based on shipping events.
Navigate to Returns > Settings and find the Returns Automations section.
Auto-Approve Returns
By default, every return submission goes into a Manual Review queue where you or your team decides whether to approve or decline it. Auto-approve skips this step.
Enabling Auto-Approve
Toggle Automatically approve returns to enable. When enabled:
A customer submits a return.
The return is immediately approved (no manual review needed).
If using ShipSidekick, a shipping label is generated and emailed to the customer right away.
When to Use Auto-Approve
Auto-approve works well when:
You have clear return policies and trust your customers
You want to provide the fastest possible return experience
You use conditional policies to only auto-approve certain returns
Conditional Auto-Approve Policies
You may not want to auto-approve every return. Create conditional policies to control which returns get auto-approved:
Examples:
Auto-approve returns for orders under $50, but require manual review for larger orders
Auto-approve returns for items tagged "easy-return," but hold others for review
Auto-approve for customers with a high customer score, but review low-score customers
Require manual review for international returns
To set up a conditional auto-approve policy:
Click Add a policy under the auto-approve section.
Define your rule conditions (product tags, order tags, customer region, etc.).
Set whether matching returns should be auto-approved or not auto-approved.
Save and set priority order.
Note: If fraud risk is detected on a return, auto-approval may be disabled regardless of your settings. The return will require manual review, and you'll see a notice explaining why.
Auto-Process Returns
Auto-process automatically issues the customer's resolution (refund, store credit, or exchange) when a specified shipping event occurs. This eliminates the need to manually click "Process" on each return.
Configuring Auto-Process
Select an auto-process trigger from the dropdown:
Trigger | When It Fires |
None (manual) | Returns are never auto-processed. You process each one manually. |
Label is created | Processing begins as soon as the return label is generated. |
Return is in transit | Processing begins when the carrier picks up the return package. |
Return is delivered | Processing begins when the return package is delivered to your address. |
Set a delay (in days) — how long to wait after the trigger before processing. This gives you a buffer to inspect returned items before the resolution is issued.
Example configurations:
Scenario | Trigger | Delay |
Process immediately when delivered | Return is delivered | 0 days |
Process 3 days after delivery (time to inspect) | Return is delivered | 3 days |
Process as soon as it ships (high trust) | Return is in transit | 0 days |
Conditional Auto-Process Policies
Create policies to use different triggers or delays for different types of returns:
Process high-value items only after delivery + 5 day delay
Process low-value items as soon as the label is created
Disable auto-process for international returns
Auto-Restock Items
Auto-restock automatically adds returned items back to your Shopify inventory when a trigger event occurs. This keeps your inventory counts accurate without manual intervention.
Configuring Auto-Restock
Select an auto-restock trigger from the dropdown:
Trigger | When It Fires |
None (manual) | Items are never auto-restocked. You restock manually in Shopify. |
Label is created | Restock as soon as the return label is generated. |
Return is in transit | Restock when the return package is in transit. |
Return is delivered | Restock when the return package is delivered. |
Return is processed | Restock when the return is fully processed. |
Set a delay (in days) — how long to wait after the trigger before restocking.
When to Restock
Choosing the right trigger depends on your business:
Restock on delivery — Most common. Restock items when you've confirmed receipt.
Restock on processing — Conservative. Wait until the return is fully resolved.
Restock on label creation — Aggressive. Restock immediately for fast inventory turnover (useful for high-demand items).
Conditional Auto-Restock Policies
Different products may need different restock timing:
Restock clothing immediately on delivery (high turnover)
Restock electronics only after processing + inspection delay
Don't auto-restock items tagged "discontinued"
How Automations Work Together
Automations can be combined for a fully hands-off return experience:
Customer submits a return → Auto-approve approves immediately
Label is created and sent to customer
Customer ships the item → carrier delivers it to your warehouse
Auto-process triggers on delivery → refund/credit/exchange is issued
Auto-restock triggers on processing → items are added back to inventory
All without you touching a thing.
Of course, you can use any combination — auto-approve with manual processing, or manual approval with auto-processing, or any mix that fits your workflow.
Tips
Start with manual everything until you're comfortable with how returns flow through the system.
Use conditional policies to auto-approve low-risk returns while keeping high-value or international returns in manual review.
Set a delay on auto-process to give yourself a buffer for inspecting returned items.
Monitor your Returns Dashboard to identify patterns and adjust automations over time.