Set Up Blocklists and Allowlists Based on Discount

Plans: Pro, Premium, Enterprise Platforms: Shopify and Commerce API

Overview

You can set up eligibility rules for your store returns based on specific conditions. The blocklists and allowlists feature enables you to prevent returns and allow exceptions in certain situations. A discount is one of the criteria for making items eligible or ineligible for returns.

1. Blocklist returns based on discount

Blocklisting a discount code generated in your eCommerce platform’s admin will make the items within an order on which customers have applied that discount code ineligible for return.

Specifying a range of the discount amount in the blocklist will make the items within an order that fall within that range ineligible for return.

You can set a range for the discount amount or define an equal to or greater than or equal to or less than range.
In the example below, the blue watch is eligible for a return, whereas the black watch is ineligible because the discount amount for a return item should be between $5 - $10.

Specifying a range of the discount percentage (%) in the blocklist will make the items within an order that fall within that range ineligible for return.

Discount percentage is calculated by dividing the discount amount by the original product cost and multiplying by 100.

You can set a discount percentage (%) range or define an equal to or greater than or equal to or less than percentage (%) range
In the example below, based on the formula, the discount on the black watch is 19% and 5% on the blue watch. This means the black watch is eligible for a return, whereas the blue watch is ineligible because the discount percentage for a return item should be equal to or greater than $10.

2. Allowlist returns based on discount

Allowlisting a discount code generated in your eCommerce platform’s admin will make the items within an order on which customers have applied that discount code eligible for return. This entry will override the existing blocklist entry and basic discount rules.

Specifying a range of the discount amount in the allowlist will make the items within an order that fall within that range eligible for return. This entry will override the existing blocklist entry and basic discount rules.

You can set a range for the discount amount or define an equal to or greater than or equal to or less than range.

Specifying a range of the discount percentage (%) in the allowlist will make the items within an order that fall within that range eligible for return. This entry will override the existing blocklist entry and basic discount rules

You can set a percentage (%) range of the discount or define an equal to or greater than or equal to or less than percentage (%) range.

Create discount listings

To set up and manage blocklists and allowlists based on discount, navigate to AfterShip Returns admin > Return policy > Eligibility rules.

Click Manage to open the blocklist dashboard, where all the listings will be created and displayed.
To add a listing, click Add listing and select Discount from the list.

Select the criteria: Discount code, Discount amount, or Discount percentage.
Input the listing value for the criteria you selected and click Add.
Once the listing is added, you will be able to view the item on the listing dashboard, the date it was created, and the listing type.

You will also see the option to remove listings whenever required. Select the bin icon to the right of the listing you would like to remove.

Use case

Scenario: A Shopify merchant wants to block returns for heavily discounted clearance items while still allowing returns for minor promotional discounts.

Setup steps:

Go to AfterShip Returns admin > Return Policy > Eligibility rules.
Under Blocklist, add a new listing:

Criteria: Discount percentage (%)
Rule: Greater than or equal to 30% (≥30%)
Action: Block returns.

Under Allowlist, add an exception:

Criteria: Discount code = WELCOME10
Action: Allow returns, even if it falls within blocklisted rules.

Outcome: Products discounted at 30% or more become non-returnable, helping protect profit margins. However, customers using a promotional code like “WELCOME10” can still return their items, maintaining flexibility for marketing-driven discounts.

FAQs

1. How do allowlists override blocklisted discount rules?

Allowlists have higher priority than blocklists. If a product qualifies under both, the allowlist condition takes precedence, making the item eligible for return. For example, if a discount code is blocklisted globally but later added to the allowlist, customers using that code can still return their items.

2. What types of discount-based rules can I create?

You can create return eligibility rules based on three discount criteria:

Discount Code: Matches specific codes (e.g., “SUMMER20”).
Discount Amount ($): Defines eligible or ineligible ranges (e.g., $5–$10).
Discount Percentage (%): Sets return conditions based on discount ratio (e.g., ≥15%).

Each listing can be configured with equal to, greater than or equal to, or less than or equal to parameters for precise control.

3. Which plans and platforms support discount-based eligibility rules?

This feature is available on:

Plans: Pro, Premium, and Enterprise.
Platforms: Shopify and Commerce API.

Merchants on these plans can access and customize eligibility rules through the AfterShip Returns admin dashboard.

Key takeaways

AfterShip Returns allows merchants to set return eligibility rules based on discount conditions.
Blocklisting a discount code, amount, or percentage makes associated items ineligible for return.
Allowlisting a discount code, amount, or percentage makes items eligible for return, overriding blocklist restrictions.
Discount-based listings can be created and managed in AfterShip Returns admin > Return policy > Eligibility rules.
This feature is available on Pro, Premium, and Enterprise plans for Shopify and Commerce API platforms.

For any further questions or help, please contact our chat support team or reach out to us at support+returns@aftership.com.

Updated on: 11/11/2025