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From the Sendcloud panel, you can enable the following return methods through your Return portal settings:
  • Arrange a pickup
  • Return in store
  • At a drop-off point (includes ERS - Easy returns solution)
  • Labelless returns to a drop-off point
This tutorial explains the various ways you can specify a return method when you use the Create a return endpoint in the Return portal API, and the differences between each method.

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Arrange a pickup

The pickup returns method will schedule a pickup from your customer’s address as soon as the return parcel is announced. Depending on the carrier, the pickup will then take place either on the next working day, or the following day.
There are a limited number of carriers who support this feature. For more information about pickup returns, including a list of supported carriers and pickup schedules, please see our help center.
To create a pickup return through the API, you need to include the "delivery_option": "pickup" field in the request. You also need to send a selected_functionalities object which includes the field "first_mile": "pickup".
Example request body snippet
{
  "delivery_option": "pickup",
  "selected_functionalities": {
    "first_mile": "pickup"
  }
  // ...other fields
}

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Return in store

If you have enabled this method in your portal settings, you can allow your customers to drop their parcel off at a physical store location. With this method, a return shipping label isn’t required. To create an in-store return, specify the following field in your request: "delivery_option": "in_store".
Example request body snippet
{
  "delivery_option": "in_store"
  // ...other fields
}

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At a drop-off point

This method allows your customer to return their parcel by delivering it to the nearest service point (drop-off) location for the chosen carrier. To specify a drop-off location in your request, use the service_point object structured exactly as you received it from the Retrieve an outgoing parcel endpoint. You’ll also need to include the following field: "delivery_option": "drop_off_point".
Example request body snippet
{
  "delivery_option": "drop_off_point",
  "service_point": {
    // ...service point details from outgoing parcel endpoint
  }
  // ...other fields
}

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Easy returns solution (ERS)

The ERS method allows customers who are based in more than 10km away from a applicable drop off-location to drop the parcel off at a branch for a national postal carrier instead. The national carrier will complete the first leg of the journey, and then hand the parcel over to the carrier you originally specified to complete the delivery. The ERS is particularly useful for facilitating easy international returns for your customers. If your customer is based in Germany, for example, they’ll be able to drop their PostNL parcel off at a Deutsche Post service point. The names of both carriers will appear on the return label.
You can read more about the ERS and view a list of carriers who support this return method on our help center.
The ERS is enabled by default when the return method “At a drop off point” is enabled in your Return portal settings. To enable ERS for a return, include the field "delivery_option": "drop_off_point" in your request. You also need to include the selected_functionalities object, with the field "ers": true. In the selected_carrier_code field, include the code of the carrier you want to use to create the return label , e.g. postnl.
Example request body snippet
{
  "delivery_option": "drop_off_point",
  "selected_carrier_code": "postnl",
  "selected_functionalities": {
    "ers": true
  }
  // ...other fields
}

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Labelless returns to a drop-off point

This method works similarly to the drop-off point return method, but your customer doesn’t need to physically print the return label and attach it to the box. Instead of a return label, a QR code will be generated. They can show this code on their phone when they take the parcel to a labelless drop-off point. To create a labelless return, specify the field: "delivery_option": "drop_off_labelless". To specify a drop-off location in your request, you can the use the labelless_service_point object, structured exactly as you received it from the Retrieve an outgoing parcel endpoint.
Not all carriers support labelless returns. See our help center for more information about how this return method works, and through which carriers.
Example request body snippet
{
  "delivery_option": "drop_off_labelless",
  "labelless_service_point": {
    // ...labelless service point details from outgoing parcel endpoint
  }
  // ...other fields
}