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Return Labels

The DPD Connector supports the creation of return labels. This allows your customers to easily send packages back to you without having to create a label themselves.

How It Works

With a return label, the address direction is reversed:

Field Regular Shipping Return
Sender Your company address The customer's address
Recipient The customer's address Your company address

DPD creates a label that the customer can attach to the return package. The return is then transported back to you via the DPD network, like a regular DPD shipment.

Creating a Return Label

Step 1: Start Return

Via the Shipment Label List:

  1. Open the Shipment Label List
  2. Click Create Return Label in the action bar

Via an Existing Shipment:

  1. Open an already created shipment label entry
  2. Use the action Create Return Label

Step 2: Check Return Address

The return data is automatically prepared:

  • The return address (where the customer sends the package back to) defaults to your shipper address from the DPD Setup
  • The customer address (where the customer sends from) is taken from the original recipient address

Different Return Address?

If the return should not go to your standard shipper address (e.g. to a returns warehouse), you can customize the return address individually on the label.

Step 3: Mark Packages as Return

When creating a return label, the packages are automatically marked as return:

  • In the package list, the Is Return field is set to Yes
  • DPD recognizes the package as a return and routes it accordingly

Step 4: Create Label

Click Create. The process is identical to regular label creation:

  1. Authentication with the DPD LoginService
  2. SOAP request to the ShipmentService (with return flag)
  3. Label receipt (PDF or ZPL)
  4. Storage in Business Central

Sending the Return Label to the Customer

After creation, you have several options to deliver the return label to the customer:

Method Description
Via Email Send the label as a PDF attachment via email to the customer
Include in Shipment Print the label in advance and include it in the original shipment
On Request Create the label only when the customer requests a return

Recommendation: Include Label

For an optimal customer experience, include the return label directly in the original shipment. This way, the customer can return items immediately if needed.

Multi-Parcel Returns

If the customer needs to return multiple packages:

  1. Create a return label with multiple packages
  2. Mark each package as a return (this happens automatically)
  3. DPD creates a separate return label for each package

One Label per Package

For returns as well: each package receives its own label with an individual parcel label number.

Return Tracking

Return shipments can be tracked just like regular shipments via the DPD tracking URL:

https://tracking.dpd.de/status/{parcel number}

The tracking URL is automatically generated and stored in Business Central.

Frequently Asked Questions About Returns

Who pays for the return?

That depends on your agreement with DPD. Typically, return labels are billed to your DPD business customer account — the end customer pays nothing.

How long is a return label valid?

DPD return labels are typically valid for up to 90 days. Unused labels expire automatically after that.

Can I see if a return label was used?

Yes, via DPD tracking you can see if and when the return package was shipped.

Can I print the return label as A6?

Yes, the return label is created in the same format as your regular labels (depending on your Default Settings: A4, A6, A7, PDF, or ZPL).