# return

*Last updated: 2026-06-22*

> A return is the shipment of goods back from the consignee to the original sender, triggered by defects, incorrect delivery, transit damage, or customer dissatisfaction.

A return is the shipment of goods back from the consignee to the original sender, triggered by defects, incorrect delivery, transit damage, or customer dissatisfaction. The term covers the entire individual event – goods receipt, condition inspection, return documentation, and the commercial handling of credits or replacements – not just the physical movement. It should not be confused with reverse logistics, which refers to the broader system managing all backward flows in a supply chain; a return is a single instance within that system. For freight forwarders and 3PL providers, returns constitute a distinct cost centre that tends to be underpriced in service agreements.

**Source:** [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%BCcksendung](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%BCcksendung)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | return |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 104 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-22 |
| Source | https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%BCcksendung |

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