GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
return
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.
Quick Answer
Last updated: Published:
Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%BCcksendung
Category
Logistics Concept
Reading time
1 min
Words
104
Mentioned in
20 articles
Definition & Explanation
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.
Next steps
Tools that match this term
Related Terms
You might also be interested in these terms
Mentioned in
Mentioned in Countries
Airports
Bergerac Dordogne Périgord Airport
/en/information/airports/bergerac-dordogne-perigord-airport-egc
Boryspil International Airport
/en/information/airports/boryspil-international-airport-kbp
Canoas Air Force Base
/en/information/airports/canoas-air-force-base-airport-qns
Canyonlands Regional Airport
/en/information/airports/canyonlands-regional-airport-cny
Cape Cod Gateway Airport
/en/information/airports/cape-cod-gateway-airport-hya
Deir ez-Zor Airport
/en/information/airports/deir-ez-zor-airport-dez
Emerald Airport
/en/information/airports/emerald-airport-emd
Glasgow Airport
/en/information/airports/glasgow-airport-gla
London Southend Airport
/en/information/airports/london-southend-airport-sen
Lviv International Airport
/en/information/airports/lviv-international-airport-lwo
Miyako Airport
/en/information/airports/miyako-airport-mmy
Seaports
Atuona
/en/information/seaports/atuona-port-pf-auq
Botas Natural Gas Terminal
/en/information/seaports/botas-natural-gas-terminal-port-2261
Edinburgh Of The Seven Seas
/en/information/seaports/edinburgh-of-the-seven-seas-port-2265
Gizo Harbor
/en/information/seaports/gizo-port-sb-gzo
Green Bay
/en/information/seaports/green-bay-port-us-grb
Manakara
/en/information/seaports/manakara-port-mg-wvk
Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox
Weekly: Top news, industry facts and insights from the world of logistics – free.