# Return freight

*Last updated: 2026-06-22*

> Once a vehicle completes its delivery, return freight becomes the operational question: the transport of goods, empties – pallets, containers, drums – or packaging material from the destination back to the shipper or a transshipment point.

Once a vehicle completes its delivery, return freight becomes the operational question: the transport of goods, empties – pallets, containers, drums – or packaging material from the destination back to the shipper or a transshipment point. Using available return capacity prevents empty runs, reducing both transport costs and carbon emissions. Freight exchanges and digital load boards connect carriers offering return capacity with shippers who need it. In a customs context, rejected or defective goods sent back also qualify as return freight and may trigger specific formalities. Not to be confused with the return of goods, which encompasses the broader reverse logistics process including inspection, repair, and refurbishment.

**Source:** [https://lexikon.logistik.de/glossar/id/rueckfracht](https://lexikon.logistik.de/glossar/id/rueckfracht)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Return freight |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 107 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-22 |
| Source | https://lexikon.logistik.de/glossar/id/rueckfracht |

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*Logistics Glossary — Freight Academy: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/return-freight](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/return-freight)*

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