Returns · Inspection · Restock
Returns Handling for E-commerce Brands
We receive customer returns, inspect condition against your rules, and route units to restock, repack, quarantine, or disposal — so resaleable inventory returns to sale fast and damaged or non-compliant stock does not pollute your active file. Built to sit alongside UK fulfilment, warehousing, and marketplace or Amazon-tied workflows you already run with us.
Overview
Returns are a margin and customer-experience lever: slow or vague processing ties up cash and creates disputes. We run an operational lane — dock to disposition — with clear statuses so your team knows what came back, what passed inspection, and what is back on the shelf. Whether the sale was D2C, a marketplace, or tied to an Amazon removal path, the same discipline applies: match the inbound, grade against your spec, then move stock to the right outcome.
What we do with returned goods
End-to-end handling from the moment a parcel hits our dock until inventory reflects the outcome.
Receive and book in
Returns arrive against your RMA, order reference, or carrier tracking. We book units into the returns queue so nothing sits unaccounted for in the yard or dock.
Match to your rules
We work to your return policy: window, reason codes, and which SKUs get full inspection versus spot checks — agreed before volume ramps.
Feed inventory and channels
Outcomes post inspection update your stock file: available, hold, scrap, or donate path — so sales channels and your finance view stay aligned.
Inspection and grading
Inspection turns a box of unknown condition into SKUs you can sell, hold, or write off with evidence.
- Visual check for damage, missing parts, hygiene, and retail packaging integrity where resale depends on it
- Functional checks when you specify a test script — e.g. electronics power-on or sealed consumables rules
- Grading A/B/C or pass/fail against your matrix; photos or notes on exceptions so you can dispute carrier or customer claims with evidence
- Lot and serial capture where compliance or warranty requires traceability back to the original shipment
Restock, repack, quarantine, or disposal
Every return exits through a defined path — no grey stock sitting in a corner.
Restock
Saleable units return to pick locations or bulk storage with correct SKU and condition — ready for the next D2C or B2B order.
Repack
Replacement polybags, cartons, or inserts when the product is fine but the customer-facing pack is not retail-ready.
Quarantine
Hold lane for investigations, partial sets, or stock you want to approve before it goes back on sale — time-boxed so it does not clog active pick faces.
Disposal or destruction
Documented disposal for damaged, recalled, or non-compliant goods when restock is not allowed — with certificates where you need audit trail.
Who this is for
- D2C brands with return rates that need a warehouse process, not ad-hoc bench sorting
- Marketplace sellers where carrier returns and buyer remorse need fast grading to protect margin
- Operations already on our 3PL who want returns in the same building as outbound and storage
- Teams pairing returns with warehousing and prep — see storage and rates on our dedicated pages
FAQ — returns handling
How are returns processing fees structured?
Typically per unit or per minute for inspection, plus any repack materials. Volume, SKU complexity, and whether you need photos drive the model. Compare baseline handling on prices and ask for a returns schedule on contact us.
Can returns sit alongside my fulfilment and storage?
Yes. Returns are usually run in the same site as pick and pack and warehousing, so restocked units re-enter the active pool without a second logistics hop.
Do you handle Amazon customer returns or FBA removals?
We can process units that arrive as removals or merchant-fulfilled returns when the inbound matches your instructions. FBA-specific flows depend on how stock lands (removal order, LTL, etc.) — scope channel and carton marks up front so receiving matches Amazon paperwork.
How fast are returns turned around?
SLA is agreed per account: standard SKUs often clear in a fixed window from dock to disposition; promotional or high-touch lines may need longer inspection slots. Peak periods are booked against capacity so inbound does not stall outbound.
What if a return is not resaleable?
We route to quarantine for your decision, or to disposal per your written instruction. Non-compliant or damaged stock is segregated so it cannot be picked for a new order by mistake.
Add returns to your fulfilment setup
Share volumes, SKU types, and your grading rules — we respond with process, SLAs, and commercial terms.