> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.smartsend.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Return shipping

> Book return labels from a WooCommerce order, separately or with outbound labels, and retrieve their documents.

Create a return label from the order's **Smart Send** panel, independently or together with its outbound shipment. You need a [connected plugin](/integrations/woocommerce/introduction#connect-plugin) and a [carrier account](/fundamentals/carrier-connections) with a service that supports the return route. Review the order's addresses, items and weights before booking. Creating a return label does not issue a WooCommerce refund.

<span id="method-settings" />

The order's **Return method** comes from the return configuration recorded when the order was placed. Use **Return method → Edit** to choose the service for this booking. To set the service and automatically include return labels by default for future orders, see the [automatic return label setting](/integrations/woocommerce/faq#auto-generate-return-label). Changing the zone's defaults does not rewrite existing orders.

<span id="return-only-ready" />

## Book only a return label

<Steps>
  <Step title="Review the order">
    Open **WooCommerce → Orders**, select the order, and find **Smart Send**. Review the addresses, items and parcel weight.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the return service">
    Check **Return method**. Click **Edit** to select a suitable return service if it is missing or needs changing.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/smartsend/1r7_jRi4zFqwqdY_/images/woocommerce/en/returns/return-only-ready.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=1r7_jRi4zFqwqdY_&q=85&s=eed4401256e91aae819ba91a410b91e3" alt="Smart Send order panel with a return service and Create return label button" width="1440" height="1000" data-path="images/woocommerce/en/returns/return-only-ready.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Book the return">
    Click **Create return label**. You do not need to book an outbound shipment first or enable **Also create return label**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download the return document">
    Check for the successful **Return shipment** result and click **Download return label (PDF)**. Supply that document to the customer according to your returns process.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<span id="return-only-booked" />

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/smartsend/1r7_jRi4zFqwqdY_/images/woocommerce/en/returns/return-only-booked.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=1r7_jRi4zFqwqdY_&q=85&s=b5b874dd0a014b55fe21872c985a8582" alt="Successful return-only booking with its return document link" width="1440" height="1000" data-path="images/woocommerce/en/returns/return-only-booked.png" />

The order panel uses the order's items and parcel configuration. The return action is not a selector for returning only selected order-line quantities. Handle refund decisions separately in WooCommerce.

<span id="partial-success" />

<span id="outbound-and-return" />

## Book outbound and return together

<Steps>
  <Step title="Review both services">
    Check **Shipping method**, **Pickup point** where applicable, **Return method**, and **Parcels**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Include the return">
    Check **Also create return label**, then click **Create shipping label**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check both results">
    The outbound booking runs first. When it succeeds, Smart Send attempts the return. Confirm that both **Shipment** and **Return shipment** succeeded, then download each document from its own result.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/smartsend/1r7_jRi4zFqwqdY_/images/woocommerce/en/returns/outbound-and-return.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=1r7_jRi4zFqwqdY_&q=85&s=f92d79afead0d318cb2cd8afe8e99ad1" alt="Successful outbound and return bookings with separate document links" width="1440" height="1081" data-path="images/woocommerce/en/returns/outbound-and-return.png" />

The outbound and return are separate shipments. Keep their labels distinct when preparing the package. The current parcel allocation and entered measurements are used for both legs in a combined booking.

## Find or print the documents again

After a full page reload, open **Order notes** for the document links, or use **Booked shipments** to open the shipment in Smart Send. See [tracking and booking history](/integrations/woocommerce/shipping-labels#history).

Booking another return requires confirmation when one already exists. **Yes, create another** creates an additional return shipment; it does not cancel an existing label. For general return-policy considerations, see [returns](/features/return).