• PENDING
  • APPROVED
  • LABELS
  • MANUAL

How to approve returns and generate labels with your AI

Connect AfterShip Returns to your agent once. From then on, you can manage your entire return queue through a single chat interface.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How can I approve returns and make labels using AI?

Your agent pulls your current return requests and approves them on command. It then handles the label generation so you don't have to manually enter data into your shipping portal. You get a clear view of what's pending and what's been processed.

Where your returns land.

The outcomes of your requests.

The AI organizes your return tasks into these specific outcomes.

PENDING

Unprocessed requests

The AI identifies all open return requests that haven't been touched yet. You'll see exactly what needs your attention.

APPROVED

Ready for shipping

Once you give the word, the AI marks the request as approved. This moves the request out of your pending queue.

LABELS

Generated documents

The AI triggers the creation of shipping labels. You get the files or links needed to get the package moving.

MANUAL

Human intervention

If a request doesn't meet your specific criteria, the AI flags it. You decide whether to override or reject these cases.

The workflow

What your AI does when a return request arrives.

The AI handles the repetitive data entry and status updates.

  1. Fetch requests

    The agent looks up all current return requests in your AfterShip account to see what's waiting.

    list_returns

  2. Review details

    The AI examines the specific items and customer info within each pending request.

    list_returns

  3. Approve request

    You tell the agent to move forward, and it updates the status of the return in the system.

    approve_return

  4. Issue labels

    The agent completes the process by triggering the shipping label generation for the approved return.

    approve_return

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to kick off the process.

Starting points

These are basic openers. You can swap out specific order numbers or customer names to target specific returns.

AfterShip Returns Connector

You're all set. Choose your MCP client and follow the setup instructions.

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_KWXeNqBZURHU1EI20GzY6XtweszlNSA1ZmHzCHng/mcp

Claude Desktop

Follow the steps below to connect in seconds.

  1. 1In Claude Desktop, open Settings → Connectors.
  2. 2Click “Add custom connector” and paste the connector link above as the remote MCP server URL.
  3. 3Click Add and start a new chat — AfterShip Returns capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "aftership-returns-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_KWXeNqBZURHU1EI20GzY6XtweszlNSA1ZmHzCHng/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • List all my pending return requests from AfterShip.

  • Approve the return request for order #88291.

  • Find the return request for customer Sarah Jenkins and generate a label.

  • Show me all returns that were approved today.

  • Claude
  • ChatGPT
  • Cursor
  • VS Code
  • Windsurf
  • Claude Code
  • JetBrains
  • Cline

Start here

Connect AfterShip Returns once, then ask.

Just link your account through the Vinkius dashboard. Your credentials stay encrypted and your agent gets immediate access to your return data.

Connect AfterShip Returns to your AI

FAQ

How this task behaves.

  • 01

    Can the AI delete return requests?

    No. The AI can only list and approve requests. It cannot delete any data from AfterShip.

  • 02

    Does the AI decide which returns to approve?

    No. The AI follows your direct instructions. It won't approve a return unless you tell it to or give it specific rules to follow.

  • 03

    Can I use this to track outgoing shipments?

    No. This specific setup is for managing the return process and generating labels for returned items.

  • 04

    Will the AI automatically approve every new request?

    No. It only acts when you prompt it to or when you set up a specific automation logic in your chat.

  • 05

    Can the AI change the return policy settings?

    No. The AI only interacts with individual return requests through the provided tools.

  • More questions about AfterShip Returns? The Connector page answers them. See everything the AfterShip Returns Connector can do

Connect AfterShip Returns to Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT & more