# AfterShip Returns MCP for AI Agents MCP

> AfterShip Returns automates your entire reverse logistics cycle. Manage return requests, process Return Merchandise Authorizations (RMAs), and generate shipping labels using natural conversation through AI agents.

## Overview
- **Category:** ecommerce
- **Price:** Free
- **Tags:** returns-management, rma-processing, shipping-labels, reverse-logistics, customer-experience, automated-returns

## Description

Managing returns shouldn't feel like a full-time job of checking spreadsheets and emailing people for tracking numbers. This MCP connects your existing AfterShip Returns account directly to your AI agent, giving you conversational control over complex reverse logistics. You can use the agent to audit pending requests, pulling up item details and return reasons for any specific RMA. Need a label? The agent handles that process instantly. Better yet, when items arrive at your warehouse, you just tell the AI client what condition they're in, and it logs everything so your team never misses an inventory grade or receipt date. It centralizes all that complicated status checking into one conversation flow. When you build this connection through Vinkius, your agent becomes the single source of truth for every piece of returned inventory.

## Tools

### list_returns
Gets a list of pending and historical customer returns, including their processing status.

### get_return_details
Retrieves specific item details, reasons for return, and the current logistics status for any RMA number.

### approve_return
Authorizes a pending return request immediately, which triggers the generation of the customer's shipping label.

### receive_items
Records the arrival of returned goods at the warehouse and logs their physical condition or grade.

## Prompt Examples

**Prompt:** 
```
Hey, list all return requests that are pending approval from last week.
```

**Response:** 
```
**Pending Returns Report (Last 7 Days)**

*   **Request ID:** ret-456xyz
    *   Customer: John Doe
    *   Items: Blue Shirt (Size M)
    *   Reason: Wrong size.
    *   Status: Awaiting Manager Approval.
*   **Request ID:** ret-789abc
    *   Customer: Jane Smith
    *   Items: Coffee Maker
    *   Reason: Defective part.
    *   Status: Needs Manual Review. 

You have 2 items that need action.
```

**Prompt:** 
```
Show me the details for RMA number 'RMA-98765'.
```

**Response:** 
```
**Details for RMA-98765**

*   **Status:** In Transit (via UPS)
*   **Items Included:**
    1.  'Blue Cotton Shirt' (Reason: Wrong size)
    2.  'Canvas Tote Bag' (Condition: Defective)
*   **Notes:** Requires specialized grading due to defect type.

The shipment left the origin on 6/10 and is expected back by 6/15.
```

**Prompt:** 
```
We just received a batch of returns. Log them now.
```

**Response:** 
```
**Item Receipt Confirmation**

Successfully logged 4 items:
*   Item SKU: TOTE-001 | Condition: Good | Grade: A
*   Item SKU: SHRT-BLU | Condition: Damaged | Grade: C (Requires repair)
*   Item SKU: MUG-RED | Condition: Good | Grade: B
*   Item SKU: BOOK-XYZ | Condition: Good | Grade: A

All items are now marked 'Received' in the inventory system.
```

## Capabilities

### Audit Customer and Historical Return Requests
List all pending or past customer return requests, including their current processing status.

### Get Detailed RMA Status and Contents
Retrieve specific information about a given RMA, listing items and the original reason for the return.

### Approve Returns and Generate Shipping Labels
Authorize a pending request immediately, which triggers the system to create the necessary return shipping label.

### Log Item Arrival and Grading at Warehouse
Record when returned goods arrive and log their physical condition or grade in the inventory system.

## Use Cases

### A customer calls asking where their refund is coming from.
The support agent asks the agent to look up the request. The agent uses `get_return_details` and reports that the return was received, graded 'Good', and the payment process has started, giving the customer a concrete answer immediately.

### A batch of returns arrived at the warehouse unexpectedly.
The ops manager prompts the agent to log them. The agent uses `receive_items` for all 20 boxes, logging each item's condition (e.g., 'Minor scratch', 'Good') and updating the system inventory record.

### A customer asks if they can send back an item that was marked as expired.
The manager uses `list_returns` to see all requests from the last week. They spot a pending request, use `get_return_details` to confirm the policy violation, and then manually approves it while documenting the exception.

### An order needs to be returned quickly for a replacement shipment.
The agent uses `approve_return` on the request ID. The system confirms approval and generates the necessary return label right in the chat, allowing the customer to print it immediately.

## Benefits

- You instantly audit all return requests using `list_returns`, seeing which items are pending approval or stuck in a status.
- Get deep context on any specific RMA with `get_return_details`, pulling up item names, original reasons for return, and current shipping location data.
- Instantly approve returns via `approve_return`. This single action triggers the necessary label generation and notifies the customer—no manual clicks needed.
- Streamline warehouse intake using `receive_items`. You log items upon arrival and record their physical condition/grade in one conversation, updating inventory records immediately.
- Centralize process insights. Instead of checking five different dashboards, your agent aggregates common return reasons or identifies policy bottlenecks directly from the chat.

## How It Works

The bottom line is that you talk to your agent like talking to a colleague; it handles the rest of the API calls and logistics updates for you.

1. First, subscribe to this MCP on Vinkius.
2. Next, enter your AfterShip API Key into the connection settings.
3. Finally, use your preferred AI client (Claude, Cursor, etc.) to chat with the agent and start managing returns.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**How does AfterShip Returns MCP handle my return label process?**
It automates the whole thing. You simply approve a pending request through your agent, and it automatically triggers the generation of the correct shipping label for the customer—you don't have to leave the chat.

**What if I need to check item details on a specific RMA?**
The MCP lets you pull granular data on any return by specifying the RMA number. You immediately see exactly what items are included and why they were returned, saving deep dives into multiple systems.

**Can I use AfterShip Returns MCP to log physical inventory condition?**
Yes, you can. When returns arrive at your warehouse, the agent lets you record the item's arrival date and its grading (e.g., 'Good', 'Minor Scratch') right in the chat interface.

**Is AfterShip Returns MCP better than just using my e-commerce backend?**
It’s more powerful because it gives you conversational control over everything. Instead of clicking through multiple tabs to check status, approvals, and item grades, you ask the agent, and it does all that work for you.

**Does AfterShip Returns MCP help with tracking stalled returns?**
Absolutely. By listing historical requests, your agent shows you which return statuses are stuck or pending action, helping your team clear backlogs faster than manually checking the queue.