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Set Up Your ShipMonk Integration

Plans: Premium, Enterprise Platforms: All platforms


Overview


AfterShip Returns and ShipMonk is a two-way integration designed to perform the following actions on both platforms.


  1. Create an RMA request within ShipMonk when a return is initiated and approved through the AfterShip Returns admin
  2. Trigger an automated action within AfterShip Returns based on the return status updates in ShipMonk


What you’ll learn


In this article, we will show you:



How it works


The integration leverages AfterShip Returns’ Webhook feature to create returns in ShipMonk as soon as an RMA request is created and approved in AfterShip Returns.


The tracking number will be auto-synced to ShipMonk once the return label is generated



When the warehouse receives the items and the return status is updated in ShipMonk, the integration uses ShipMonk’s Webhook feature to auto-mark return requests as received in AfterShip Returns admin.


The quantity of the receiving items should be the same as in the original return request.


Get the ShipMonk API Key and store ID


Request your ShipMonk API Key and Store ID by emailing support@shipmonk.com or your dedicated account manager at ShipMonk.


Integrate ShipMonk with AfterShip Returns


  1. Go to ** Apps ** in AfterShip Returns admin
  2. Click View more apps, and you will be redirected to the AfterShip Returns integration page.



  1. Find ShipMonk and select it to land on the detailed integration page
  2. Select AfterShip Returns from the dropdown and then click Install app



  1. Select the right organization (online store) if you have multiple organizations configured in AfterShip Returns (Optional) for which you are establishing this integration
  2. To install the ShipMonk app, you need to fill in the API Key and Store ID by emailing support@shipmonk.com or your account manager at ShipMonk to authenticate the connection



  1. Click Install app
  2. In the Authorization window, again click Allow & Install


Configure warehouse location in return routing rules


Since this integration will auto-trigger a response in AfterShip Returns admin once all the items reach ShipMonk’s warehouse location, you must configure the warehouse location to ShipMonk in Return routing rules for an auto-return label generation.


  1. Go to ** Return routing rules ** in the AfterShip Returns admin
  2. Select a return zone for which you wish to enable this return shipping method
  3. Add a new routing rule or edit an existing routing rule
  4. Navigate to Ship with a return label - Auto-generate return labels under the Return shipping methods.
  5. While setting up return shipping information for auto-return label generation, select ShipMonk from the dropdown under Return location



When will the RMA requests be marked as received automatically?


  • The RMA request will be marked as received as soon as all the products for which the return request is submitted are received by the ShipMonk warehouse
  • If Auto-mark as received is enabled in AfterShip Returns and ShipMonk is selected as the Warehouse location under Return routing rules, the RMA request will be marked as received as soon as all the products for which the return request is submitted are received by the ShipMonk warehouse
  • Auto-mark as received once delivered automation rule will be only triggered if all the products for which the return request is submitted are received by ShipMonk


Return Workflow


Create RMA in ShipMonk when RMA is approved in Returns


1. RMA Create trigger


  • Create RMA in ShipMonk once RMA is approved in AfterShip Returns


Merchants must select Generate label with AfterShip Returns when approving the RMAs with Ship with a return label shipping method.


2. Data flow


  • RMA# → AfterShip Return will create an RMA in ShipMonk and fill in the AfterShip RMA# same as the RMA# in ShipMonk
  • SKU → AfterShip Returns will select the responding product title and product SKU from ShipMonk to create the RMA. Return quantity will be the same as what it is on AfterShip Returns
  • Return reason → By default, we will select Unknown for the return reason field in ShipMonk and will input the return reason from AfterShip Returns in the Note field in ShipMonk
  • Return label tracking number → AfterShip Returns will sync the label tracking number to the ShipMonk Tracking number field
  • Desire Action → Since this field is required by ShipMonk, AfterShip Returns will select Return to Inventory, by default


Mark as received automatically when ShipMonk receives the return items


  • When all the return items are received by ShipMonk, then the RMA will be Marked as received automatically in AfterShip Returns
  • If Auto-mark as received once delivered is enabled and ShipMonk is connected, the auto-receive function will be triggered when ShipMonk receives all return items instead of “delivered” status.


FAQs


1. Are newly created exchange orders put "on hold" in Shipmonk untill they are marked as received?


AfterShip witnesses three scenarios on how exchange orders are created.


  1. For the Replace with the same item orders, an exchange order is created when you click on the Create Shopify order on the RMA detail page or if the Auto-create replacement order is enabled. You have the option to create an exchange order when you see fit eliminating the necessity of putting them on hold.


  1. For the Exchange with other items orders placed via Stripe checkout too, you can decide when you want an exchange order to be created, so there is no need to put them on hold.


  1. For the Exchange with other items orders placed via Shopify checkout, an exchange order is created right after the return request is successfully submitted from the AfterShip Returns page. To provide merchants with the option to put these orders on hold untill they are marked as received, they can set up a flow in Exchange on your store or Exchange on AfterShip returns page settings > Order fulfillment control. You can conveniently select when do you want the orders to go from On hold to Unfulfilled in Shopify based on the available triggers.


AfterShip Returns' integration with Shipmonk does not automatically create an exchange order in Shipmonk. The exchange order will be synced from the customer's Shopify store to Shipmonk. Therefore, if the order is on hold in Shopify, it will be on hold in Shipmonk too.


2. Should merchants process return packages in Shipmonk or in AfterShip?


AfterShip Returns' integration with Shipmonk ensures syncing the item receiving status from Shipmonk. This means that when a user receives returned packages in Shipmonk, our system will sync the event and mark the item as received on the RMA.


3. Not seeing an RMA created in Shipmonk?


AfterShip syncs the RMA data to Shipmonk using the return location mentioned on the return label of the RMA. This means the integration works only when the return method of the RMA is Ship with a return label, and the label must be generated within AfterShip Returns using our carrier integration.


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