Shopify Ecom

Which carriers and services can you use for a Shopify return label?

Published ·
At a glance
Short answer
In Shopify: USPS, FedEx and UPS, US domestic returns only; FedEx needs a phone number on both addresses and UPS excludes Ground Saver.
UPS and a customer's PO Box
UPS can't deliver there: choose USPS or get a street address from the customer.
Connected UPS account, PO Box customer
The PO Box error still shows when USPS is available; ignore it and buy USPS.
No carrier shows up
Check weight and dimensions (USPS: 70 lbs, 108 inches length plus girth), package type and both addresses.

Which carriers can you buy a return label from in Shopify?

Shipping from a US fulfillment location, you can buy return labels at discounted rates through Shopify from three carriers, only for US domestic orders:

  • USPS — available services include Priority Mail and Ground Advantage.
  • FedEx — both your return location and the customer's shipping address must include a phone number.
  • UPS — all domestic mail services except UPS Ground Saver (details below).

Military (APO/FPO/DPO), customs-form territory and international addresses are out — see where Shopify can't make the label.

Can you create a UPS return label in Shopify?

Yes, for US domestic returns, on every UPS domestic mail service except UPS Ground Saver. Buy it at Shopify's discounted UPS rates or, if your store is based in the United States, connect your own UPS account and use your account rates.

UPS can't deliver to PO Box addresses, so a PO Box customer triggers the error PO Box destinations are not supported. Select USPS instead, which supports PO Box delivery, or ask the customer for a street address.

With a connected UPS account, that error shows even when USPS is available — Shopify says you can ignore it and buy a USPS return label.

Why does no carrier show up for your return label?

If no carriers display when you create a return label, Shopify names three things to check:

  • Weight and dimensions — the estimated weight or size might exceed carrier limits; USPS allows 70 lbs, and length plus girth can't exceed 108 inches.
  • Package type — use a USPS carrier-specific package or a standard custom package.
  • Addresses — the carrier might not recognize yours or the customer's; verify both with the USPS address validator.

Adding a label to a return you created without one is a different case, with its own Return label not sent error — see what that error means.

About This Article

This article was written entirely by AI under human editorial direction. The editor sets the topic and structure, runs multi-stage validation on facts, links, and interactive elements, and verifies the output is useful from a business perspective. All claims are checked against official Shopify sources. Details may change — always confirm critical data at shopify.com.

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