# How to process return requests automatically

### Overview

An automation workflow automatically processes return requests when specific conditions are met. This help to reduce manual review, significantly save time when managing a large number of returns.

ParcelWILL Returns supports three types of automation:

* Auto-approve
* Auto-exchange
* Auto-refund

### Auto-approve

<mark style="background-color:red;">ParcelWILL gives you full flexibility to set up conditions that meet your specific needs. Please configure and test these settings carefully.</mark>

<figure><img src="/files/dCAUiNnD4x4QjqdLLzzM" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

To ensure Auto-approve runs successfully, you must choose how the product should be returned (the return shipping method). This includes selecting available shipping methods, the correct return address, and specific routing rules.

<mark style="background-color:red;">Your customers can still see all the shipping methods you provide, but only the requests that fall under your Auto-approve shipping methods will be approved automatically.</mark>

#### Selecting a return shipping method for creating label while auto-approve

Ship with a return label provided by the merchant

* You can set up routing rules to send items to the most efficient warehouse.
* Example: if the product type is fragile and the customer is in Canada, route the return to the Canada warehouse.
* Please make sure the selected couriers support the routing rules you configure.
* This option requires direct carrier integration. You can top up your label balance in ParcelWILL and make sure switch on carriers.

Pickup

* Pickup is currently available only for USPS via EasyPost.
* You can still use routing rules to decide which warehouse receives the returned item.
* This option requires direct carrier integration. You can top up your label balance in ParcelWILL and make sure switch on carriers.

Ship on your own

* The customer ships the item back on their own.
* You can still direct the return to the correct warehouse by setting a return route.

Green return

* The customer keeps the item. No return shipping or routing rules are required for this method.

<figure><img src="/files/h29gcOE1Dze97qZEVbSy" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Outcomes

<figure><img src="/files/YBCXSCcKlMuGcqPQQLOw" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/GaKwC5iblQTBYNLsJCrW" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Return requests will be automatically approved when conditions are met.

### Auto-exchange

Auto-exchange is triggered when a return request has been approved. It automatically creates a new order with the exchange item. You can choose which conditions must be met.

<figure><img src="/files/5WiJVpTUln9d4svZ32s9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Auto-refund

Auto-refund is triggered when a return request has been approved. It automatically refunds the calculated amount for the request, including any incentives or refund settings you have configured.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://parcelwill-returns.gitbook.io/help-center/automation/how-to-process-return-requests-automatically.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
