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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 DPD, a return is requested via a flag on the parcel, not by swapping the addresses. The connector therefore sends the same addresses as for a regular shipment:

XML element in the storeOrders request Content
<sender> Your shipper address from the DPD Setup (Shipper …)
<recipient> The ship-to address of the label (Ship-to …), i.e. the customer's address
<returns>true</returns> Set on the parcel — this is how DPD identifies the return

The addresses are not swapped

Sender and recipient appear in the return request exactly as they do in the outbound request. DPD routes the parcel back to you solely based on the <returns> flag. If you look for a reversed address direction in a SOAP trace, you will not find one — that is not a defect.

From this, 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.

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: Return Address

The return address is always the shipper address from the DPD Setup (Shipper Name, Shipper Street, …) — the same address that appears on your outbound labels.

No per-label return address

A return address that differs from the setup (e.g. a separate returns warehouse) cannot be stored per label. If you want returns to go to a different address, change the shipper address in the DPD Setup — but that applies to outbound shipments as well.

Step 3: Return Flag

The connector sets <returns>true</returns> on the parcel of the return request. Nothing more is needed for a return; all other fields are identical to a regular shipment. The package grid of the Create Label dialog is not touched — the action does not run through it.

The print format comes from the return fields of the setup (Retoure Output Format / Retoure Paper Format) and may therefore differ from your regular label format.

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.

Multiple Return Packages

A return label is always one parcel. The Create Return Label action does not run through the package grid of the Create Label dialog; it creates exactly one parcel carrying the return flag.

If the customer needs to return several packages, create a separate return label per package. Each one gets its own parcel label number and its own tracking URL.

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 format is controlled by the dedicated return fields in the DPD Setup: Retoure Output Format (PDF or ZPL) and Retoure Paper Format (A4, A6, or A7). It is therefore independent of your outbound label format — you can print shipping labels on a thermal printer and hand out the return label as an A4 PDF that the customer prints at home.