GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Return freight
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.
Quick Answer
Last updated: Published:
Source: https://lexikon.logistik.de/glossar/id/rueckfracht
Category
Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?
Reading time
1 min
Words
107
Mentioned in
–
Definition & Explanation
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.
Next steps
Matching tools and partners
Related Terms
You might also be interested in these terms
⚖️ ICC Incoterms 2020
Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?
Analyze all 11 Incoterms 2020: cost matrix, risk timeline, insurance gap detector and customs responsibility – free, no login required.
Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox
Free · No password · Never a paywall. Weekly top news and facts from logistics.
Community Questions & Answers
Share your knowledge, ask follow-up questions, or add practical insights to this page. Every contribution is moderated before publication.
No community answers yet. Be the first.