Manage the entire physical flow of a returned product, from receipt by the customer to resale, repair, recycling, or disposal.
Reverse logistics is the process of transporting, accepting, inspecting, classifying, and directing a product back to its original destination after a customer requests a return. Return policy and physical logistics are not the same process; depending on the nature of the product, a cargo service, store, courier, or service team may be used.
Returned products should not be considered simply as stock entering the warehouse. The product's condition, accessories, packaging, serial or lot information, resale value, and need for repair must be evaluated.
Recovery methods
Shipping label included, sent from customer.
Drop off at the store or pickup point.
Pickup from address by courier
Scheduled pickup for large items.
On-site inspection by the service team.
Return acceptance and classification
Product and order verification
Quantity, accessories and packaging inspection.
Damage and usage condition
Suitable for resale.
Need for repair or replacement
Return to supplier
Recycle or safe disposal.
Stock and finance link
Stock status should not be mistakenly changed to "saleable" before the product is physically accepted or the inspection is complete. Acceptance may trigger refunds, exchanges, and stock movements; all records must be linked to the same return reference.
Value recovery
Resale
Outlet or refurbished product channel
Repair and parts replacement
Compensation or refund from the supplier.
Parts recycling
Recycling and waste management
Reverse logistic analytics
Retrieval and processing time
Logistics cost per return
Resale rate
Reasons for damage and packaging.
Carrier and product-based issues.
Value recovered and waste rate
Construct reverse logistics not as simply sending a product back, but as an end-to-end physical process that manages customer experience, financial closure, inventory quality, and value recovery together.