Returns

Set up your returns easily through the EasyPost API.

1. Return address: For failed deliveries or return shipments, you can specify a different return address than the initial outbound location
2. Scan-based return labels: Shippers won't get charged unless it gets used when generating return labels with BYOCAs. Wallet Carriers will always bill when the label is generated.
3. USPS Pay-on-Delivery Returns: Shippers won't get charged for this type of USPS return label until the package is delivered. Please reach out to support@easypost.com if you are interested in this service.

Generate a return label

To generate a return label, create a Shipment object in the API and set is_return field as true inside the attribute.

Note: do not swap the addresses yourself -- the EasyPost API will take care of this for you. The original to_address of the outbound shipment becomes the from_address for the return label.

curl -X POST https://api.easypost.com/v2/shipments \
  -u "$EASYPOST_API_KEY": \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
    "shipment": {
      "to_address": {
        "name": "Dr. Steve Brule",
        "street1": "179 N Harbor Dr",
        "city": "Redondo Beach",
        "state": "CA",
        "zip": "90277",
        "country": "US",
        "phone": "8573875756",
        "email": "dr_steve_brule@gmail.com"
      },
      "from_address": {
        "name": "EasyPost",
        "street1": "417 Montgomery Street",
        "street2": "5th Floor",
        "city": "San Francisco",
        "state": "CA",
        "zip": "94104",
        "country": "US",
        "phone": "4153334445",
        "email": "support@easypost.com"
      },
      "parcel": {
        "length": "20.2",
        "width": "10.9",
        "height": "5",
        "weight": "65.9"
      },
      "is_return": true
    }
  }'

The Shipment creation call generates rates followed by the label. For more information follow the process of shipment creation for your return label.

When the return label is generated, it will be valid for a period of time. After this time, carriers may still accept these labels but it can cause the shipment to be flagged, returned, or destroyed without being eligible for a refund. Depending on your carrier, generated return labels are valid for different periods of time.