ForthRoute Returns
Search, review, approve and decline Shopify returns from ForthRoute, a free returns-management app. Remote MCP server with OAuth sign-in for merchants.
Documentation
Forthroute is returns-management software for Shopify with a branded return portal, return labels including printerless QR codes where the carrier supports them, exchange support, merchant-issued refunds, and return-leg tracking. Free to install and use, with no subscription or monthly return limit; optional platform prepaid labels are billed through Shopify at carrier cost plus a 1% handling markup, rounded up to the next $0.10.
Branded self-service portal Printerless QR labels where the carrier supports them Exchange incentives Merchant-issued refunds
$0
software subscription, with no monthly return limit
1%
handling markup on optional platform prepaid labels, plus carrier cost
QR
printerless return labels where the carrier supports them
Return leg
shipment tracking in the merchant timeline and shopper page
A post-purchase flow that protects margin
Customers self-serve on your branded portal, choose the default refund or a supported exchange, and the merchant decides when to issue a refund.
01
Customer starts a return
They open your branded portal from an email link, enter their order, and pick a reason — no support ticket needed.
02
Refund or exchange
Refund is the default resolution. Exchanges are supported and can be incentivised, but are not forced first.
03
Label, approval, then refund
A return label is issued — printerless QR where the carrier supports it. You approve the return, then issue the refund as a separate step through Shopify.
Everything a modern returns platform should do
Branded return portal
A clean, professional portal in your branding — not a generic third-party flow that confuses your customers.
Printerless QR labels where supported
Where the carrier supports it — for example Evri ParcelShop drop-off in the UK — customers get a QR code to scan and the carrier prints the label. Elsewhere a printable label is issued.
Exchange support
Offer an exchange alongside the default refund so the sale can stay in the store. Exchanges are optional and never forced first.
Merchant-issued refunds
Approve the return first, then issue the refund as a separate step — through Shopify Payments, or via the Shopify refund API for other gateways.
Returns analytics
Track return rates by product, reason and customer segment so you can fix the products driving the most returns.
Customer comms
Automated email updates at every stage keep customers informed — and out of your support inbox.
See the actual app
Real screens from Forthroute — the branded customer portal, the returns queue, return label generation and returns analytics.
Returns dashboard — review, approve or decline every return in one click
A fully branded customer return portal
Return labels, including printerless QR codes where the carrier supports them
Returns analytics — see exactly why products come back
Configure return windows, fees and automation rules
No subscription; optional labels are charged separately
No software subscription Forthroute
$0/ month
Free to install and use, with no subscription or monthly return limit; optional platform prepaid labels are billed through Shopify at carrier cost plus a 1% handling markup, rounded up to the next $0.10.
- Branded portal + return labels (printerless QR where the carrier supports it)
- Exchange support & merchant-issued refunds
- Return-leg tracking included
- Install from the Shopify App Store
Separate products under the Forthsuite umbrella
Each Forth product has its own capabilities, platform, and commercial terms.
Forthcast
Demand forecasting & auto-drafted purchase orders.
$19.99 / mo
Forthsource
Supplier search plus separately ordered manual China dossiers.
$0 / $29 / $99
Forthmatch
3PL performance tracking & SLA alerts.
Free
Forthclear
B2B marketplace to liquidate surplus & dead stock.
Free to list
Common questions
What is Forthroute and how does Shopify returns management work?
Forthroute is returns-management software for Shopify with a branded return portal, return labels including printerless QR codes where the carrier supports them, exchange support, merchant-issued refunds, and return-leg tracking. Free to install and use, with no subscription or monthly return limit; optional platform prepaid labels are billed through Shopify at carrier cost plus a 1% handling markup, rounded up to the next $0.10.
How are Forthroute return labels priced?
Optional Forthroute-brokered prepaid labels are billed through Shopify at carrier cost plus a 1% handling markup, rounded up to the next $0.10. A merchant can instead connect its own carrier account. With your own Shiprocket account for India returns, shipping is paid through your Shiprocket account/wallet at its rates. ForthRoute separately charges US$0.10 through Shopify when an AWB/tracking number or return label is successfully generated. There is no connection fee; usage-billing approval alone does not charge you. An AWB can succeed even when its PDF is unavailable.
Does Forthroute automatically issue refunds or force exchanges first?
No. Refund is the default portal resolution and every refund is initiated by the merchant. Exchanges are supported and can be incentivised, but they are not the default.
What shipment tracking does Forthroute provide?
Forthroute tracks the return shipment leg in the merchant timeline and the shopper tracking page. It is not a full outbound post-purchase tracking suite.
Which carriers can Forthroute use?
Forthroute supports multi-carrier return shipping across the United States and parts of Europe, plus bring-your-own-carrier. Printerless QR drop-off is available where the carrier supports it, for example Evri ParcelShop in the UK; Forthroute does not operate a physical return-bar network.
Does Forthroute send a label and refund the customer for me?
Forthroute can provide a return label and track the shipment back to you. The label may be a printerless QR code where the carrier supports it, or a printable label elsewhere. You review the return and issue any refund yourself through Shopify. An exchange is available when your store offers one.
Using your own Shiprocket account in India
With your own Shiprocket account for India returns, shipping is paid through your Shiprocket account/wallet at its rates. ForthRoute separately charges US$0.10 through Shopify when an AWB/tracking number or return label is successfully generated. There is no connection fee; usage-billing approval alone does not charge you. An AWB can succeed even when its PDF is unavailable.
Carrier availability depends on your Shiprocket account and serviceability. Contact support to check your first return; connecting confirms login, not the full return lifecycle. Printerless QR availability on other services does not establish it for this connection.