Guide to Export Returns Data
Overview
Download AfterShip returns data to get a complete account of returns processed in AfterShip Return to analyze return trends, manage inventory efficiently, process refunds, and optimize the returns process based on insights derived from the data. Get details on returned items, customer information, reasons for the return, refund amount and adjustments, and the status of the return process to effectively track the return lifecycle. You can also define filters to customize the export results.
What you’ll learn
In this article, we will show you:
Export return data in CSV format
- Go to the Returns dashboard in your AfterShip Returns admin.
- Click on Export from the top of the page.
- Select the export range to define the scope or timeframe of the data you wish to extract.
a. Based on the filters you applied: This option allows you to export only the data that matches specific criteria you've set using various filters. For example, you might filter the returns data based on:
- Request date: Only returns requested within a specific date range (e.g., return requests submitted between December 31st and January 15th).
- Return reason: Returns for a particular reason, such as defective or wrong size.
- Return status: You could filter returns based on whether they're Pending, Approved, or Rejected.
b. All returns (created in the last 365 days): This option exports all return data from the past 365 days.
- Choose the recipient email where an email with the CSV file link will be sent.
- You will see the email addresses of the members of your organization with access to view, edit, and export returns data.
- Click Export returns. The CSV file will be sent to selected recipient's email address.
- Depending upon the volume of data, it can take a **few minutes **for the export file to generate and be sent to the recipient's email.
Return data overview
Return data is organized at either the RMA or SKU level. Exports are structured by the return SKU.
For example, if an RMA includes two SKUs, the export will contain two lines of data—one for each SKU—while the RMA-level details remain the same.
General information
Field | Description | Level | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
RMA number | Unique identifier for the return request | RMA | EFA35GEH |
Request time | Date and time the return request was submitted | RMA | 2024-10-11T08:52:59Z |
RMA status | Current status of the return request | RMA | Pending |
RMA outcome | Expected result of the return | RMA | Exchange, Upsell, Refund, Store Credit |
Legacy RMA resolution | Resolution selected by the customer (soon to be deprecated) | RMA | Exchange |
Customer name | Full name of the customer from the original order | RMA | John Wick |
Customer email | Email address from the original order | RMA | |
Order number | Original order number | RMA | #1225 |
Order country code | Country code from the original order | RMA | USA |
RMA return quantity | Total number of items being returned | RMA | 3 |
RMA notes | Internal notes added by the return admin | RMA | VIP customer |
Return zone | Matched return zone based on routing rules | RMA | US |
Return Method | Method chosen by the customer for returning items | RMA | Ship with any carrier of your choice |
Ship to warehouse | Warehouse to which the return is shipped | RMA | US warehouse |
Return tracking number | Tracking number for the return shipment | RMA | 9434611206211418405493 |
Carrier | Shipping carrier for the return | RMA | USPS |
Carrier service | Shipping service used for the return | RMA | Next day delivery |
Return label cost | Cost of the return label | RMA | |
Tracking URL | Public URL for tracking the return | RMA | AfterShip official tracking page |
Shipping status | Latest status of the return shipment | RMA | Received |
Shipping update time | Latest update time for the return shipment | RMA | 2024-10-13T08:52:59Z |
Order time | Date and time the original order was placed | RMA | 2024-10-09T08:52:59Z |
RMA created source | The origin of the return request | RMA | Returns Page, Admin ({merchant email}), API, POS |
Approved time | Date and time the return request was approved | RMA | 2024-10-11T14:21:59Z |
Approved source | Source from where the return was approved | RMA | Admin ({merchant email}), API, POS, Automation |
Refunded time | Date and time the return request was refunded | RMA | 2024-10-11T14:21:59Z |
Refunded source | Source from where the return was refunded | RMA | Admin ({merchant email}), API, POS, Automation |
Exchange processed time | Date and time the exchange was processed | RMA | 2024-10-11T14:22:59Z |
Exchange processed source | Source from which the exchange was processed | RMA | Admin ({merchant email}), API, POS, Automation |
Resolved time | Date and time the return request was resolved | RMA | 2024-10-14T08:52:59Z |
Resolved source | Source from where the return was resolved | RMA | Admin ({merchant email}), API, POS, Automation |
Rejected time | Date and time the return request was rejected | RMA | 2024-10-14T08:52:59Z |
Rejected reason | Reason for rejection by the merchant | RMA | Customized text |
Rejected source | Source from where the return was rejected | RMA | Admin ({merchant email}), API, POS |
Expired time | Date and time the return request expired | RMA | 2024-10-14T08:52:59Z |
Exchange order number | Order number created for the exchange in the eCommerce platform | RMA | EXC-#1225-1 |
Exchange order link | Link to the exchange order in the eCommerce platform | RMA |
Financial details
Field | Description | Level | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Currency | Currency used for the return request | RMA | USD |
Return item value | Total value of the returned items | RMA | $100.00 |
Original order discount | Discount applied to the original order value | RMA | $20.00 |
Return item tax | Tax value for the returned items | RMA | $8.00 |
Exchange item value | Total value of exchanged items | RMA | $150.00 |
Extra credit for exchange | Additional credit used to offset exchange value | RMA | $30.00 |
Pre-discount credit | Credit applied before discounts to offset the exchange value | RMA | $20.00 |
Exchange item tax | Tax value for the exchanged items | RMA | $10.00 |
Bonus store credit | Incentive store credit offered for a return to store credit | RMA | $10.00 |
Estimated cost of return | Estimated return shipping cost | RMA | |
Exchange shipping | Shipping cost for the exchange item | RMA | |
Estimated refund value | Estimated refund for the return request | RMA | |
Upsell value | Value of any upsell paid by the customer | RMA | $22.00 |
Upsell checkout | Payment method used for upsell | RMA | Shopify, Stripe |
Refunded value | Actual refunded amount | RMA | |
Gift card code | Gift card ID issued if the return outcome is store credit | RMA | |
Actual cost of return | Actual return shipping cost after the refund | RMA |
Return item details
Field | Description | Level | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Return product title | Title of the product being returned | SKU | Item A |
Return product SKU | SKU of the returned product | SKU | SKU1 |
Return reason | Reason for returning the product | SKU | Too Large |
Sub-reason | Sub-category of the return reason | SKU | |
Customer return notes | Notes from the customer regarding the return | SKU | Customized Text |
Customer return images | Images provided by the customer for the return | SKU | |
Product price | Original price of the returned product | SKU | $100.00 |
Product discount | Discount applied to the returned product | SKU | $20.00 |
Product tax | Tax value for the returned product | SKU | $8.00 |
SKU return quantity | Quantity of the product being returned | SKU | 1 |
Restocked quantity | Quantity of the product restocked | SKU | 1 |
Product tags | Tags associated with the returned product | SKU | |
Customer exchange notes | Notes from the customer regarding the exchange | SKU | |
Item inspection tags | Tags added by the merchant after inspecting the returned item | SKU | |
Item Inspection Images | Images added by the merchant after inspecting the return item | SKU | |
Exception | Any current exceptions related to the return request | RMA | Refund failed, Restock failed, Exchange failed, Label generation failed, Charge failed, Flagged |
FAQ
1. Who can export return data?
Members with Owner, Admin, Manager, and Support Agent roles can export data. To add or remove members and view the features they have access to based on their roles, please refer to our detailed article on managing roles and permissions.
2. How can a merchant export more than 200K RMAs if there is a limitation?
The system has a limitation where a maximum of 200K RMAs can be exported at one time. If a merchant needs to export more than 200K RMAs, they can use filters to narrow down the data. By applying any filters, the number of RMAs in each export will be reduced to fewer than 200K.
For any further questions or help, please contact our chat support team or reach out to us at support+returns@aftership.com.
Updated on: 15/04/2025