Add Additional Return Shipping Labels to a Return Request

Overview

Sometimes, shoppers need to send back large or bulky items that can’t fit into a single package. In such cases, they may contact your customer service team to request extra return labels for multiple boxes. The “Add more labels” feature in AfterShip Returns lets your support team add additional labels under the same return request, right from the AfterShip Returns dashboard. You don’t need to manually create and email labels separately. Shoppers can download all return labels directly from the branded return page.

Major challenges and resolutions

Prerequisites

Must know the following before you generate additional labels:

• The return method must be set as “Ship with a return label” under your Return routing rule.
• The return request must already have the first label generated and approved.
• None of the existing label tracking statuses should be “In transit” yet.

How to add additional return labels

1. Go to your AfterShip Returns admin.
2. Click Returns > Return request detail page.
3. Open the return request that needs additional labels.
4. Click “+ Add more labels.”
5. Adjust the number of additional labels (max 10 labels per return request).

6. Select which items and quantities to include in each new label.
7. Additional shipping labels using your connected carrier account will be created.

Notifications settings

When you enable the “Add more labels” feature, a new email template, “Additional return label added”, becomes available under notifications. This email includes a direct link to the branded return page, where shoppers can download all their return labels easily.

What shoppers experience

Your end-users can download the additional return labels from the branded returns page:

Additional considerations

Return Tracking status

When multiple labels exist under one return request, each has a unique tracking number and shipments are tracked individually. AfterShip Returns updates the overall return status automatically when all packages reach the same stage, like status “Shipped” when the package is in transit, and the same applies for “Delivered.”

Return automation rule setting

Any automation rule using shipment tracking status as a trigger (e.g., “auto-refund when in transit”) continues to work even when multiple return labels are added. Similarly, the notification trigger activates only after all labels reach that status, preventing premature refunds.

Cost of return based on the estimated label fee

The estimated return shipping cost is calculated only for the first label during the return request process. For extra labels added, merchants need to manually charge shoppers the additional shipping fees (if applicable).

Return label QR code

If your account uses QR codes for return labels, this setting will automatically apply to all additional labels generated for that return request.

FAQs

1. How do I void the return shipping labels?

There are two ways to initiate a label void from AfterShip Returns:

• Setting up an Auto-cancel label (when the RMA expires) 
• Return request rejected (when the return request is being rejected)

In either of the scenarios, AfterShip will initiate a label cancel request to the carriers.

2. Can I void/cancel extra return labels and keep only the original one?

Currently, there’s no option to void only the additional labels. Merchants can reject the entire return request to void all unused labels.

3. Why is the return shipping label not cancelled after the return request has expired or been rejected?

Not all carriers support label cancellation after the label is generated. You can check for the supported carriers. Even for those that do, AfterShip can only send a cancellation request when the return request has expired or been rejected, but the carrier makes the final decision on whether the label can actually be cancelled.

Updated on: 10/10/2025