Recover inventory from returns, not just receive it.
ShipMonk’s in-house returns program inspects, grades, and routes every returned item to the right outcome. Recoverable products are restored and returned to inventory, while non-recoverable items are dispositioned according to your rules.
From the moment a return arrives through grading, rework, and putaway, you have visibility at every step inside your ShipMonk portal.
15+ RMAs processed per labor hour
Redesigned workflow processing speed across the ShipMonk network.
60-70% of returns go straight to putaway
Items graded as new-condition return to stock faster.
Every non-new return is photographed
Quality Guard photos accessible in your portal, automatically.
Trusted by leading brands to simplify returns & boost loyalty
The process runs in defined stages, each with its own quality checks.
When a return arrives at a ShipMonk facility, it’s scanned in and immediately logged. If the return has a tracking number linked to an open RMA in your account, that RMA automatically updates to Arrived status in your portal. You know it’s in the building before anyone opens the box.
Step 1
Arrival and check-in
Every return is scanned and referenced against RMAs in the system; a matching tracking number automatically updates the RMA to “Arrived,” giving you immediate confirmation it’s in the building.
Step 2
Grading
Every item is opened and evaluated against a grading standard. New-condition items are sent directly to putaway. Not-new items are assessed for recovery: is the issue cosmetic and fixable, or does the item need disposal? This determination drives every downstream step.
Step 3
Rework
Items that can be restored go to the appropriate rework station, whether that’s steaming and refolding an apparel item, replacing a polybag, retagging a product, re-boxing an opened item, or another service from ShipMonk’s rework menu. Items that complete rework are re-graded before moving to putaway.
Step 4
Putaway
Recovered items re-enter your inventory as quickly as possible. Disposition items (RTV, donation, disposal, secure disposal) are routed to the appropriate outcome per your account configuration.
Step 5
Visibility throughout
Quality Guard photos are taken of every non-new item during processing. Those photos are automatically available in your ShipMonk portal, so you can see exactly how the item came back to us at the moment of receipt.
Optimize your returns management strategy
Returns capabilities, end to end, in-house.
High-throughput processing
ShipMonk’s returns workflow processes 15+ RMAs per labor hour. New-condition items go straight to putaway. Everything else moves to the right rework station without sitting in a backlog.
Standardized grading
Every item is evaluated against a consistent framework so disposition decisions are made the same way every time.
Merchant-configurable grading
Set grading rules for us at the individual SKU level. Your instructions are built into the process so they execute automatically, without exception. (coming soon)
Quality Guard photos
Every non-new item is photographed during processing and accessible in your portal without contacting anyone. Visual proof, always on record. Read more.
Automatic RMA arrival status
When a returned parcel is checked in at our facility, any RMA with a matching tracking number automatically updates to Arrived in your portal.
Returns rework services
ShipMonk offers a rework menu that gets eligible items back into sellable condition. Pricing is bespoke and scoped to your needs.
FDA compliance for regulated products
Loop Returns integration
ShipMonk integrates directly with Loop Returns for a connected front-to-back experience. Customers get a smooth portal; you get returns processed with the same rigor as outbound orders.
Flexible disposition options
You choose what happens with your un-restockable, un-reworkable inventory.
Turn recoverable returns back into sellable inventory.
A return doesn’t have to be a write-off. ShipMonk’s rework services are designed to restore returned items to resalable condition, from basic cosmetic work to full repackaging and relabeling.
Steaming and de-wrinkling
Remove creases and restore garment presentation. Includes fabric-class protocols for knits, denim, activewear, and outerwear.
Folding and refolding
Fold garments to category-specific standards and place directly into packaging ready for resale or storage.
Lint, hair, and dust removal
Full adhesive lint rolling, top to bottom and interior if required. No visible surface contaminants at quality check.
Polybag replacement
Remove damaged or missing packaging and reseal in standard clear or merchant-specific polybags with suffocation warnings applied as required.
Repackaging
Restore branded or standard retail packaging for items that need to re-enter the supply chain in presentation-ready condition.
Retagging and relabeling
Apply replacement tags, SKU labels, or barcodes verified against WMS. Tag placement follows merchant-specific or ShipMonk standard SOPs.
Re-barcoding
Replace missing or damaged barcodes with verified replacements that scan successfully before leaving the rework station.
Spot cleaning (non-wash)
Address minor marks using approved garment wipes on eligible items. Does not include oil, ink, or set-in stains.
Hanger add/remove
Add or remove hangers for returned apparel items as required by merchant specification.
Deodorizing
Run apparel through a deodorizer to remove any unwanted odors.
Pricing for all services is bespoke and customized. Photo documentation of rework completion can be provided. Reach out to your ShipMonk support representative for more information.
Optimize your returns management strategy
Built for brands where returns are a real operational challenge.
Quality Guard. See what came back.
Every non-new returned item is photographed during processing. Those photos are available in your ShipMonk portal automatically, giving you a visual record of what arrived, in what condition, and when. No request to your account team, no waiting for an email.
Quality Guard works for dispute resolution, insurance documentation, and simply knowing what your return program is generating. It’s included in the returns process for all merchants.
Returns compliance for regulated products.
For merchants handling products with expiration dates or lot control, ShipMonk builds FDA compliance readiness directly into the returns flow. Defect questions are surfaced at the item level during receiving, and the system automatically recommends disposition based on the responses. All data is captured in a format that supports regulatory reporting and audit submissions.
Available for food, supplement, beauty/cosmetic, and other expiration-dated product categories.
What separates ShipMonk’s returns program from the rest.
We grade every item, not just receive it
Many 3PLs log a return as received and move on. ShipMonk evaluates every item against a grading standard and routes it to the right outcome, automatically.
We show you what came back
Quality Guard photos are taken of every non-new item and accessible in your portal without a support request. You have a visual record of your returns program, always.
We can restore recoverable items
Steaming, refolding, retagging, polybag replacement and more. Items that would otherwise be written off can re-enter your supply chain.
We’re built for apparel volume
The ShipMonk returns workflow was redesigned specifically to handle high-volume, apparel-complexity return programs at scale. We process 15+ RMAs per labor hour and we’re not done optimizing.
Compliance is built in, not bolted on
For FDA-regulated products, compliance questions and automated grading are part of the returns flow at the item level, not a manual downstream step.