Returning unsellable or restricted items to Shopify Fulfillment Network

When returns arrive at a Shopify Fulfillment Network (SFN) fulfillment center, SFN personnel inspect the products to determine whether they are in a sellable condition. A product is considered unsellable based on the following criteria:

Unsellable product conditions

SFN personnel use different criteria to determine if a product is unsellable based on the product type and material:

Apparel products

Criteria for unsellable apparel products
Apparel type Unsellable condition
Clothing - shirts
  • Missing buttons
  • Missing or faulty zippers
  • Ripped seams or hems
  • Tears
  • Stains
  • Odor
  • Damaged screen printing or embroidery
  • Missing tags
  • Missing branded packaging
Clothing - trousers
  • Missing buttons
  • Missing or faulty zippers
  • Ripped seams or hems
  • Tears
  • Stains
  • Odor
  • Missing tags
  • Missing branded packaging
Intimates and swimwear
  • Packaging is no longer sealed
  • Hygiene label or liner is missing or broken
Hats
  • Missing or worn snaps
  • Missing or worn patches or embroidery
  • Ripped seams or hems
  • Tears
  • Stains
  • Odor
Shoes
  • Missing dunnage in shoe or shoe box
  • Damaged shoe laces
  • Dirty shoes
  • Missing label
  • Damaged shoe box
  • Excessively worn treads
  • Odor
Gloves
  • Worn
  • Stained
  • Incomplete set
  • Odor
Pet apparel
  • Odor
  • Tags removed
  • Ripped seams or hems
  • Tears
  • Stains
  • Residual pet fur left on product

Fashion accessory products

Criteria for unsellable fashion accessory products
Accessory type Unsellable condition
Handbags
  • Missing label
  • Missing strap
  • Ripped seams or hems
  • Tears
  • Stains
  • Worn
  • Scratches
  • Missing branding
  • Missing or damaged custom packaging
  • Missing components
Jewelry
  • Missing parts
  • Missing label or tag
  • Broken clasps
  • Missing or damaged custom packaging
  • Dirty or blemished metals
Piercing jewelry
  • Opened packaging
Watches
  • Missing parts
  • Missing label or tag
  • Scratches
  • Missing or damaged custom packaging
Glasses
  • Scratches
  • Bent or damaged
  • Missing label or tag
  • Missing accessories
  • Missing or damaged custom packaging

Health and beauty products

Criteria for unsellable health and beauty products
Health and beauty product type Unsellable condition
Cosmetics and skin care
  • Unsealed or opened
  • Missing or damaged custom packaging

Electronics products

Criteria for unsellable electronics products
Electronics type Unsellable condition
Home appliance
  • Damaged or compromised packaging
  • Missing components
  • Damage to product
Computer equipment
  • Damaged or compromised packaging
  • Missing components
  • Damage to product
Headphones
  • Damaged or compromised packaging
  • Missing components
  • Signs of use
Toys
  • Damaged or compromised packaging
  • Missing components

Home goods products

Criteria for unsellable home goods products
Home goods type Unsellable condition
Kitchenware
  • Damaged or compromised packaging
  • Missing components
  • Damage to product
Furniture
  • Damaged or compromised packaging
  • Missing components
  • Damage to product
Bedding
  • Damaged or compromised packaging
  • Missing components
  • Dirty
  • Stains
  • Odor
Books
  • Damaged pages or binding
Tools
  • Damaged or compromised packaging
  • Missing components
  • Damage to product

Restocking rules for restricted products

For health and safety reasons, some products can only be restocked at SFN fulfillment centers if they are in unopened, brand new condition. If restricted products are returned in an opened or used condition, then these products are disposed of during inspection.

Restricted products include the following categories.

Restricted products for returns to SFN
Category of restricted items Example products
Health and beauty Skin care, cosmetics
Intimates Underwear, bras, lingerie, swimwear
Medical devices Piercing jewelry, menstrual cups
Consumables Nutritional supplements, teas

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