QR code returns (UPS customers)

Use this guide if you wish to create return shipments that do not need to be verified at time of drop off. For ecommerce retailer returns requiring item verification, please see the Headless Returns guide instead.

Overview

Happy Returns offers several non-consolidated drop off options through its “headless returns” integration. This guide is for UPS clients wishing to generate QR code-based return shipments.

Prerequisites:

  • UPS account with non-consolidated accessorials enabled (speak with your UPS account manager for more information)
  • A portal or system to call the Happy Returns’ API endpoints

Limitations:

  • US only drop off locations
  • US domestic shipments only
  • Weight restrictions apply (for No Pack or Print)
  • Declared value < $1000
  • Non-hazardous (see “Item eligibility check” below)

Once implemented, your end users will be able to:

  • Find a participating drop off location
  • Receive a QR code for their return, and
  • Drop off their return

You will be able to:

  • Receive notification of drop off
  • Receive notification of QR code expiration
  • Receive the shipment’s tracking number

Non-consolidated drop off methods

No Print – The end user will package the return but will not be responsible for printing a shipping label. Instead, the end user will present a QR code to the store associate, who will print the return label and adhere it to the package.

No Pack or Print – The end user will not be responsible for packaging the return, nor will they need to print a shipping label. They will present a QR code to the store associate, who will package the return item(s), print the shipping label, and adhere it to the package. Please note that the cost of packaging will be billed to the UPS shipping account and not to the end user at the store.

Note: You may choose to implement and adopt No Print and/or No Pack or Print drop off methods based on business use case. There is no requirement to offer both.

Item eligibility check

Clients are solely responsible for identifying, classifying, and guaranteeing proper packaging for hazardous materials in compliance with hazmat regulations.

UPS and associated parties do not apply or enforce hazmat markings at drop off. If a merchant confirms a return meets all regulatory requirements and does not require additional labeling, it may be processed by this service.

For questions about lithium batteries or other hazmat requirements:

Refer to PHMSA Lithium Battery Guide
https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/training/hazmat/lithium-battery-guide-shippers

-or-

Call UPS Hazmat Support
1-800-554-9964

System design guidelines

When No Print -or- No Pack or Print drop off methods are presented, the following design guidelines must be followed.

  1. A link to Happy Returns privacy policy MUST be displayed, whenever the No Print -or- No Pack or Print QR code is presented to the end user:
    1. "By continuing with your return, you acknowledge that your return will be processed through Happy Returns, and you acknowledge you have had an opportunity to read Happy Returns' Privacy Policy."
    2. Where the "Privacy Policy" is a link to (https://www.privacypolicy.happyreturns.com/en-us)
    3. This message must be present wherever the QR code is presented to the user. This includes, but is not limited to, in web browser, email, and text message.
    4. The language in this subsection must be prominent, distinct from any other text, and not hidden nor of diminished size or coloring.
  2. For participating locations, link the user to the locator page at https://locations.happyreturns.com/no-print?address={zipcode}

Starting the return

To create a return with No Print -or- No Pack or Print as the drop off method, proceed to create the return using the specification provided in the Create headless return API.

For No Print returns:

  • Reference the request body schema of “By Mail, Mail No Label, and Mail No Box No Label”
  • Include the itemization field with a value of unitemized
  • Include the dropoff_method_id with a value of mail-nolabel
  • Reference the response body schema of “By Mail and Mail No Label”

For No Pack or Print returns:

  • Reference the request body schema of “By Mail, Mail No Label, and Mail No Box No Label”
  • Include the itemization field with a value of unitemized
  • Include the dropoff_method_id with a value of mail-nobox-nolabel
  • Reference the response body schema of “Mail No Box No Label”

Other implementation considerations:

  • Each return corresponds to a single return shipment; if multiple shipments are needed, create multiple returns and provide each QR code to the end user.
  • The package will not be weighed at drop off. The shipment’s weight shall come from the API request, using returning.details.weight and returning.details.weightUnit fields. If no weight is provided via API, a default weight will be assigned, as configured by Happy Returns. Please align on a default value during onboarding, if weight will not be provided via API.
  • For the No Pack or Print method, the shipment weight must be declared at under 10 pounds.
  • If you will require further notifications about the return, please persist the rma_id provided in the create_return response. The rma_id value will match the happyReturnsExpressCode field used in the Return webhook.
  • For No Print returns, the tracking number will be available in the create_return response.

Please note, for the No Pack or Print drop off option, the shipment and tracking number is not generated until time of drop off. For this method, you will not receive the tracking number in the create_return response. To obtain the tracking number, please subscribe to the Return webhook (see “Drop off notification” below).

Return confirmation design guidelines

When No Print or No Pack or Print drop off methods are presented, the following design guidelines should be followed.

The return’s confirmation page and any email, sms, or text communication should include:

  1. Prominent image representation of the QR code
    1. Note: Some email providers will block images hosted by third parties. When emailing the shipper, we recommend you download the QR code image and provide it as an inline attachment.
  2. Alphanumeric representation of the express code in case QR code cannot be successfully scanned
  3. For participating locations, link the user to the locator page at https://locations.happyreturns.com/no-print?address={zipcode}

Drop off notification

At the drop off location, the associate will process the return. Within a few minutes, a Return webhook notification can be sent by Happy Returns, if subscribed. Implementation considerations:

  • Happy Returns will not email the end user upon drop off.
  • Upon receiving the drop off event from this webhook, you may wish to do so.
  • For No Pack or Print returns, this webhook will be the first opportunity to retrieve the return parcel’s tracking number.

Expiration

Return QR codes will expire after a set period, 30 days by default. Implementation considerations:

  • Expiration notification is available via the Return webhook.
  • Upon expiration, please email or communicate to the end user that the return QR code is no longer valid. Provide a mechanism to generate a new return, if applicable.
  • Expiration can be manually triggered, if necessary, using the Expire headless return API.

Routing logic options

With client owned routing, the client controls the logic to determine the service level and ship to address. In the create_return request, client must specify:

  • Sender’s address (end user making the return) within the returning.shipping_address object
  • Destination address (typically the return warehouse) within the mail_destination_address object
  • Shipping method (carrier account number and service level) as shipping_method_id
    • Note: Happy Returns will configure one or more shipping methods that represent a combination of account number and service level. Each of these methods will have an ID (integer) assigned. This ID will be provided in the API request.

With Happy Returns owned routing, Happy Returns will configure one or more destination addresses and shipping methods. When the return is created, Happy Returns will calculate the cheapest of the configured shipping methods, based on the sender’s address and preconfigured destination address(es).