Spree supports native returns processing, giving you full control over how refunds, exchanges, and restocking are handled directly from the admin dashboard. The workflow is designed to be flexible, with clear steps for managing each stage of the return process.

This guide walks you through the full lifecycle of a return: from authorization, to customer return, to final reimbursement.

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1) Create a Return Authorization (RA)

Returns are initiated from the order, not from the Returns tab, so navigate to the Orders tab and open the relevant order.

Alternatively, find the customer in the Customers tab and access their order from there.

Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select New Return Authorization.

This will open the Return Authorization form.

Here you’ll see a table of line items from the order. For each item, configure the following:

  • Include in RA: check the box to include this item in the return
  • Product: name and variant (read-only)
  • Status: shipment status (e.g., “shipped”, read-only)
  • Charged: amount originally charged to the customer
  • Return Quantity: set how many units should be returned (0 if not returning)
  • Pre-tax Refund Amount: amount to be refunded per item
  • Reimbursement Type: choose from: Exchange, Store Credit, Credit, Original Payment
  • Exchange for: if Exchange is selected, choose the replacement variant from the dropdown

Below the table, you’ll see a dynamic refund summary showing the Total Pre-Tax Refund amount (e.g., $35.00).

At the bottom of the form complete the additional fields:

  • Location: stock location the item should be returned to (required)
  • Reason: select an RMA reason (required)
  • Memo: optional internal note

Click Create to finalize the Return Authorization.

You’ll be redirected back to the order overview, where a Return Authorizations section will now appear under the Shipments section. You can edit the RA at any time.

The RA will also now be listed in the Returns → Return Authorizations tab.

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2) Create a Customer Return

With an RA in place, you’re ready to log the return of the physical item.

From the same order overview page, click the three-dot menu again and select New Customer Return.

This will open the Customer Return form. 

The form lists each item from the order. For each item, configure:

  • Include in return: check if the item has been returned
  • Product: name and variant (read-only)
  • SKU: stock keeping unit (read-only)
  • Pre-tax Amount: non-zero if part of the RA, 0 if not included (read-only)
  • Exchange for: variant selected for exchange (if applicable) (read-only)
  • Resellable: check if the item can be restocked; unchecked items won’t be returned to inventory

Below the table, select:

  • Location: confirm the stock location the items are being returned to

Click Create to finalize the Customer Return.

You’ll then be returned to the order overview page again, and a new Customer Returns section will appear above the Return Authorizations section.

The return will also now be visible in the Returns tab and can be edited from either location.

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3) Reimburse the Customer

Once a customer return has been logged, you can process the refund or exchange.

In the Customer Returns section, click the three-dot menu and select Create Reimbursement.

This will create the reimbursement immediately and redirect you to the reimbursement form.

Here you can review the items to be reimbursed, and override the reimbursement type or the exchange variant if necessary (e.g., reimburse with store credits instead of the original payment).

Click Reimburse to finalize the return process:

  • If it’s a refund, the customer will be reimbursed via the selected method.
  • If it’s an exchange, a new shipment will be created on the order and can be fulfilled like any other shipment.

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Alternative Method

If you’d like to review the Customer Return before reimbursing the customer, you can instead select Edit from the three-dot menu, or just click on the Customer Return itself.

This will redirect you to a Customer Return summary that includes a Reimbursements section.

This form displays:

  • Customer name
  • Order number
  • Reimbursement status
  • Pre-tax total
  • Line item details:
    • Product
    • Amount
    • Reimbursement Type 
    • Exchange For
    • Acceptance Errors

At the bottom of the page you’ll find the Reimbursements section.

Simply click Create Reimbursement and follow the steps outlined previously.