This article is relevant if you need to generate carrier shipping labels from NetSuite to handle product returns.

Background

With the rise of eCommerce and the ease of returning purchased goods, scalable business models thrive by extending reach, building brand loyalty, and expanding customer bases.

NetSuite stands out as a powerful platform for realizing this vision. Although it includes integrated eCommerce capabilities, solutions like Shopify continuously lower entry costs while enhancing the functionality for businesses to enter the market.  See my related articles.

We advocate for an architecture where NetSuite serves as the order management hub once eCommerce transactions are captured and ready for fulfillment, a model ideal for traditional forward logistics.

But what about reverse logistics? How do we manage returns? Major e-commerce players like Amazon have set consumer expectations for low or zero-cost shipping, including the ability to print a shipping label for easy returns.

NetSuite and Return Shipping Labels

NetSuite includes built-in tools for generating FedEx and UPS shipping labels for outgoing (forward) logistics, but it lacks similar functionality for handling returns.  Returns management in NetSuite is an interesting area because while the foundational records are in place, each organization is responsible for designing its own streamlined processes for managing returns efficiently.

Being able to generate shipping labels from NetSutie becomes one of the fundamental capacities needed to craft quality product return strategies.

Integrating Shipping Carrier Label Generation into NetSuite Returns

A client needed to streamline their return process by automatically generating FedEx return labels. Leveraging our expertise in integrating FedEx and UPS shipping rate services (see related article), we already had the algorithms for connecting NetSuite to carriers without relying on third-party tools.

We took it a step further, building out foundational FedEx label generation directly within NetSuite, enabling targeted, proactive label creation within the returns workflow to support a seamless business flow.

Client’s Desired NetSuite Returns Workflow

The client had a straightforward model: they wanted to initiate a Return Authorization from a NetSuite Case record. When a customer support agent confirmed that a product return was the desired action, they needed a simple checkbox to “Generate a FedEx Label,” which would trigger the automatic creation of the Return Authorization and attach the FedEx carrier label.

From there, the agent would use NetSuite’s email functionality to craft a message to the customer, with the FedEx return label included as a file attachment and instructions on what to do.  The customer would have a quality experience without needing any existing eCommerce integration.

Fundamental NetSuite FedEx Shipping Label Integration

With the work we have produced, our FedEx label integration establishes a direct, point-to-point connection with FedEx’s public API, eliminating the need for third-party tools and their associated fees or maintenance.  This model is anchored by the following key elements:

1. Carrier Service Account: Defining the necessary keys and account numbers to connect NetSuite directly to FedEx.
2. Addresses: Setting up the return address—defaulting to the original item fulfillment’s “ship-to” address and routing returns to the designated warehouse location.
3. Package Size and Weight: Establishing assumptions about package dimensions and weight, which can be tailored based on the anticipated return scope.
4. Billing Entity: Determining which entity will bear the shipping costs.

With these data elements elements, we generate a PDF shipping label that can be stored and seamlessly linked into the client’s returns process.

Click the images to explore these capabilities in action.

Expanding into Advanced Returns Processing

While this overview covers the basics of shipping carrier integration, the same approach can extend to other carriers like UPS, DHL, freight forwarders, and more. In a follow-up article, I’ll dive into a high-performance Returns Manager setup, demonstrating how we leveraged this straightforward carrier integration to support more complex, real-world scenarios involving multi-package and multi-label processing for advanced returns management.

Achieving Seamless NetSuite Shipping Label Generation

With these license-free tools, we can help any client define their unique returns process and connect directly to their chosen carrier, shaping the ideal customer return experience.  This solution follows Prolecto Labs’ proven model, where the intellectual property we’ve developed over 20 years is available to our clients without licensing fees. These tools act as core building blocks, allowing us to create tailored solutions that fulfill the real promise of adopting the NetSuite platform: elegant, scalable, and efficient business operations powered by a cloud-based solution that requires minimal IT expertise.

If you found this article relevant, feel free to sign up for notifications to new articles as I post them. If you are ready to tackle your NetSuite shipping label generation and returns processing flows, let’s have a conversation.

Marty Zigman

Holding all three official certifications, Marty is regarded as the top NetSuite expert and leads a team of senior professionals at Prolecto Resources, Inc. He is a former Deloitte & Touche CPA and has held CTO roles. For over 30 years, Marty has produced leadership in ERP, CRM and eCommerce business systems. Contact Marty to set up a conversation.

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