Customize Return Label References
Overview
AfterShip Returnsā Label Reference Customization feature allows you to choose which return request information appears in the reference fields on return labels, helping warehouse teams process return packages more efficiently. Previously, only RMA # and Order # were shown by default. With this feature, you can select which return information to use as label references.
Important:
The reference fields shown in the dropdown are pulled from return request data and are not filtered by carrier support.
Whether a selected reference appears on the return label depends entirely on the carrierās own capabilities and label format, not on AfterShip settings.
What you'll learn
In this tutorial, we'll discuss:
- How it works
- Available reference fields
- How to set up return label references
- Label reference support by carrier
- Implication on existing users
- FAQs
How it works
AfterShip Returns allows merchants to customize the return label reference field when supported by the carrier.
- Some carriers offer a dedicated reference field in their Create Label API. When available, AfterShip Returns sends the selected reference value to the carrier during label creation.
- Merchants can choose from five different reference values. These values are pulled directly from the return request and are not carrier-specific.
The dropdown displays all available return request fields.
Selecting a value does not guarantee it will appear on the return label, as carrier support varies.
Available reference fields
Field | Description |
|---|---|
RMA ID | The unique identifier for a return request. |
Order Number | The identifier for the original order associated with the return. |
Product Title | The name of the returned item(s). |
Return Value | The total value of the returned items. |
Custom Text | A custom text string that the merchant can input as a reference. |
Carrier behavior
- Printing reference fields on a return label is determined by the carrierās API and label format.
- If a carrier does not support customizable reference fields, the selected reference will not appear on the label.
- This behavior is controlled by the carrier and is outside of AfterShipās control.
Set up return label references
- Go to Returns shipping in the AfterShip Returns admin.
- Move down to the Customize label references section under Returns labels.
- Choose the reference field from the set of supported fields from the dropdown and subsequently set the prefix of the field selected.
Value type | Example |
|---|---|
RMA ID | BEB74KJU |
Order number | 1001 |
Product title | Polo Shirt X 1 |
Return value | $400 |
Custom text | ABC Inc. |
- When reference barcode is supported by carrier, AfterShip Returns will use the value of the first reference field line to generate the barcode.
Recommendation
Because carrier support for label references varies, we strongly recommend generating a test return label for each carrier and service you use to confirm which reference fields appear on the label.
Label reference support by carrier (examples)
Some carriers commonly support custom reference fields, including:
UPS label barcode
FedEx label barcode
Canada post label barcode
DHL Express label barcode
Support may vary by service level, region, and carrier configuration. Always verify by generating a test label.
Implication on existing users
The existing users will get two-configured label preferences. If they wish to remove these pre-set label references, they can delete them, but this action will be irreversible and they cannot retrieve those references back.
- Reference 1: RMA# & Order# (combined)
- Reference 2: Item info
Label reference on different carrier's return labels
1. UPS
2. FedEx
3. Canada Post
4. Deutsche Post DHL
5. Australia Post
FAQs
1. Are all dropdown reference options supported by every carrier?
No. The dropdown shows all available return request fields, but only carriers that support custom reference fields will print them on the return label.
2. Why doesnāt my selected reference appear on the label?
The carrier may not support printing that reference field. This is a carrier limitation, not a configuration issue in AfterShip.
3. How many reference fields can I configure?
You can configure up to three reference fields. However, the number of references that appear on the label depends on what the carrier supports.
4. Can I customize the size or position of the reference field?
No. The size and position of reference fields are fixed by the carrierās label format and cannot be customized in AfterShip.
5. Can I customize the reference value types?
Reference value type customization is currently available for Enterprise plan users only.
For any further questions or help, please contact our chat support team or reach out to us at support+returns@aftership.com.
Updated on: 17/12/2025