1) Introduction to UPS Return Label
Globally one of the largest shipping companies, UPS Return Label is a service provided by a US-based multinational logistics firm, UPS. Standing for United Parcel Service, UPS operates in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. Their services cover three main types - US Domestic Package, International Package, Supply Chain and Freight Operations.
With a wish to contribute to the environment by going green, UPS started their bicycle delivery service in 2008, functioning in several US cities. Some have now been upgraded to electric cargo bikes possessing pedal-assist mechanisms.
UPS return labels are one of the most sought after services in the returns category of global logistics operations. UPS return labels simplify returns for you and your customers. Their claim that customers can walk into a UPS location with an unboxed, unlabelled item and process their return using the UPS return label is a unique prospect.
2) What is a UPS Return Label?
UPS return labels are a cost-effective set of services that simplify and streamline your online business eCommerce product return process . The return process facilitates the shipping of packages from the customer to the business, retailer or origin source. A UPS return label is composed of alphanumerical characters and a barcode. A UPS return label has the same data as a shipping label, but the contact details in the from address and to address are swapped for the return.
3) How does a UPS Return Label work?
As part of any business and all industries, you must make the reverse logistics process work for you instead of being a liability. A well-planned returns operation can enhance your bottom line. With tools to improve management and reintegration of returned goods, UPS return labels help you reduce waste, streamline your practices and steady your profit stream.
UPS return labels help improve customer satisfaction by efficiently managing your returns by enabling you or your customer to prepare quick and easy returns. Once the process of returns has begun, the return packages can either be collected by a UPS staff, handed over to a UPS team member, dropped off at a UPS Drop Box close to your customer, or any other outlet that accepts UPS return packages for processing.
The UPS return label's barcode and readable text feature permit seamless transition of package handling between automated machines and manual labour. The barcode of UPS return labels is also trackable, just like shipping labels, and allows you and your customer to track the package's journey back home through the UPS tracking tool. This gives you the freedom to authorise any refunds to the customer once your package has hit designated milestones in its shipping process.
In order to meet customer satisfaction, businesses need to incorporate efficient, responsive and convenient returns. UPS return labels cater to all industries by offering their expertise in reverse logistics operations that can be customised from their portfolio of return shipping. UPS return labels are boosted by services to improve inventory management, security, post-sales support and cycle time, such as automation of processes, management of Omni-channels, ecommerce website integrations and other technological aids.
4) How can you use UPS Return Labels?
Like most return services, UPS return labels offer you options to generate and share the return labels with your customer.
UPS Returns offers multiple options for generating a return label, which can be included in either the original shipment or in a separate correspondence to your customer.
4.1) Label Included
The UPS Print Return Label directs the flow of processes required to generate return labels to be added to the original shipment package or sent to your customer.
4.2) Print at Home
The UPS Electronic Return Label permits the generation and sharing of UPS return labels to your customers via email.
4.3) Print by UPS
The UPS Print and Mail Return Label facilitate the generation and mailing of the return label by UPS to your customer.
4.4) From your Website
UPS Returns Technology is a part of the UPS Developer Kit Shipping API for businesses and the UPS Ready plug-in. This feature allows customers to visit your website and request a return, whereupon your website, email or both will offer a UPS return label.
4.5) Chauffeured Sticker
UPS Returns Plus is a service where the UPS driver carries the UPS return label to your customer at the time of collection, which the customer can then affix to the package.
5) What services facilitate the need for UPS return labels?
The services UPS Returns, UPS Returns Plus, UPS Returns Exchange, and Reverse Logistics can be shipped through UPS WorldShip, UPS Internet Shipping, UPS Campus-Ship, UPS Developer Kit Shipping API and UPS Ready third party software as and where available.
A service that is aligned to small, enterprise-sized and middle-market businesses with high volume or complex needs in returns operations, UPS return labels serves packages in over 135 countries.
5.1) UPS Returns
UPS Returns allows you to process individual as well as multiple pieces in returns. Offering package trackability through the UPS website, this service allows the use of preprinted return labels included in the shipment, electronic UPS return labels, as well as print and mail return labels.
With the ability to create and send UPS return labels for international shipping, UPS Returns links information of shipment to the service or warehouse operations. This service comes with the perk of post-delivery billing.
5.2) UPS Returns Plus
UPS Returns Plus is similar to UPS returns with a few added bonuses. This service also allows you to process individual as well as multiple pieces in returns while offering package trackability through the UPS website.
UPS Returns Plus also allows the use of preprinted return labels included in the shipment, electronic UPS return labels, and print and mail return labels. You can create and send UPS return labels for international shipping with this service. UPS Returns Plus links information on shipment to the service or warehouse operations. This service comes with the perk of post-delivery billing.
In addition, the services offered by UPS Returns, UPS Returns Plus offers collection from the customer’s location, upto three collection attempts by UPS, Saturday collection and Saturday delivery.
5.3) UPS Returns Exchange
UPS Returns Exchange offers shipment trackability on the UPS website. This service provides post delivery billing. With the ability to offer prepaid return labels for single or multiple shipment pieces, UPS Returns Exchange also links the information to service or warehouse operations.
With more returns friendly options, UPS Returns Exchange picks up goods from the customer’s location, offers a single collection option by UPS, provides repackaging of return goods by the driver, furnishes information about collection time to the customer by phone or email, provides simultaneous collection and delivery, and offers Saturday Delivery and pick up.
5.4) Reverse Logistics
A piped-down operation by UPS, Reverse Logistics services are more streamlined. It offers a signature feature of testing and repairing or replacing, or refurbishing in this mode. While it offers trackability on the UPS website and processing of single or multiple pieced returns, Reverse Logistics only offers Electronic UPS Return Labels to the customer.
But, it fulfils several other return requisites such as linking shipment information to service or warehouse operations, post-delivery billing, collection of returns goods from the customer’s location, a single collection attempt, and repackaging of goods by the UPS driver and alert to the customer regarding collection time.
6) Value-added services associated with UPS return labels
UPS return labels come with the option of multiple add-on features at extra cost. These are thoughtfully designed to enhance your customer’s interaction with your business and their return experience.
6.1) Pickup Attempts
Under the 1 UPS Pickup Attempt option, the UPS driver will attempt to collect the package once. If the package is not collection-ready, The UPS driver will hand over a UPS return label at the customer’s location, which your customer can affix to the package and complete returns later.
As per the 3 UPS Pickup Attempts, the UPS driver will attempt pickup over three business days. Failure to pick up the package will result in the return of the UPS return label to UPS.
6.2) UPS Developer Kit Shipping API
With this state-of-the-art API, UPS allows you to integrate web-based capabilities of shipping to your enterprise’s applications.
6.3) UPS Quantum View Notify
This returns special feature developed by UPS aims to improve customer communication by alerting customers of completed deliveries and package collections.
6.4) UPS Ready Programme
UPS supplies the UPS Ready Programme ready to plug in using approved service providers for businesses looking for a ready framework to integrate into their business applications.
6.5) UPS Post-Sales Logistics
UPS’ Field Stocking Locations, or FSLs and Tech Service locations, diagnose, test and screen ports or units of your returned goods to deem viability of repair. Post this; UPS determines if the goods can be returned, refurbished or recycled. This intervention offered by UPS limits reaction time and helps you plan the return processes better. With this feature, you can reduce the costs of recalling products, executing replacement warranties, and recycling and disposal of goods.
7) Conclusion
UPS Return Labels optimises the standard return operations through innovative interventions to help you save time, money and labour. With integrable APIs to enable convenient reverse logistics operations that are customisable or ready for use, UPS return labels facilitate a streamlined and hassle-free returns experience for you and your customer.
8) FAQ's UPS return label
8.1) How do I create a return label for UPS?
Choose ‘Create a Shipment’ on the UPS website under the shipping tab. Enter your data under ‘Ship From’ and your customer’s address under ‘Ship To’. The UPS Return Label will be generated along with your Shipping Label. In case of an alternate return shipping address, the UPS website will prompt you to enter the same.
8.2) How do I return a UPS package?
UPS packages can be dropped off at a UPS location, scheduled for a pick up by a UPS driver or handed over to the UPS driver on your route.
8.3) Can UPS mail a return label?
The UPS Print and Mail Return Label facilitate the generation and mailing of the return label by UPS to your customer.