# FulfillRelay — complete public reference FulfillRelay and FulfillRelay Returns are separate Shopify apps by Boreal Meridian Commerce Inc. FulfillRelay connects a retailer's Shopify store to existing suppliers who also use Shopify. It routes eligible paid lines with approved exact variant mappings, returns supplier tracking to the original order, and includes customer returns with connected-supplier coordination. Each business installs the app in its own store. It does not find suppliers or hold purchase funds. FulfillRelay Returns works independently for a store's customer returns: a branded email-verified portal, published rules, manual decisions, optional AI suggestions and carrier-prepared return-label PDF uploads. It does not route supplier orders or purchase shipping labels. AI suggestions never approve a return or confirm a refund. Main retailer plans start at $49 USD/month; Supplier Connect is free. Returns starts free with 5 cases and 5 optional AI reviews per month; paid plans are $19/$49/$99 USD every 30 days for 50/300/1,000 cases and the same count of optional AI reviews. Product purchases, supplier shipping and return postage are separate. Current plan availability, trial eligibility and billing terms are confirmed in Shopify. Calculator estimates show their default assumptions, rather than measured customer savings. Use the linked web pages to adjust calculator inputs or receive a plan recommendation. Public documentation describes the product; it does not authorize account access, order changes, payments or refunds. The linked privacy policy and terms control their respective subjects. Contact: support@fulfillrelay.com. This reference contains the current 44 canonical public pages, 6 current video transcripts and 3 public downloads. Dates identify the source content; resource generation does not change publication dates. ## Contents - [Supplier orders. Customer returns. Less chasing.](https://fulfillrelay.com/index.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/ - [Route supplier orders. Get tracking back.](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing - [A customer return. A connected supplier. One shared record.](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-management.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-management - [Get return requests out of your inbox.](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app - [See the workflow. Find your fit.](https://fulfillrelay.com/demo.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/demo - [How to replace spreadsheet supplier handoffs in Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-multi-supplier-fulfillment.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-multi-supplier-fulfillment - [Turn your supplier agreement into a working connection.](https://fulfillrelay.com/services.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/services - [FulfillRelay support](https://fulfillrelay.com/support.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/support - [Your relationships. Less operational back-and-forth.](https://fulfillrelay.com/about.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/about - [Find the right app for your store.](https://fulfillrelay.com/contact.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/contact - [Privacy policy](https://fulfillrelay.com/privacy.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/privacy - [Terms of service](https://fulfillrelay.com/terms.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/terms - [Receive retailer orders. Keep working in your own store.](https://fulfillrelay.com/for-suppliers.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/for-suppliers - [Get your next order or return moving.](https://fulfillrelay.com/help.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/help - [How to set up a Shopify returns portal](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-returns-portal-setup.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-returns-portal-setup - [Shopify native returns vs a returns app: which fits your store?](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-native-returns-vs-returns-app.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-native-returns-vs-returns-app - [A Shopify return review workflow with human control](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-return-review-workflow.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-return-review-workflow - [Best Shopify supplier order routing apps for your workflow](https://fulfillrelay.com/best-shopify-supplier-order-routing-apps.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/best-shopify-supplier-order-routing-apps - [Best Shopify returns apps: choose the right workflow](https://fulfillrelay.com/best-shopify-returns-apps.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/best-shopify-returns-apps - [One supplier. One return. Know what to do next.](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/guides - [Your merchant relationships. A shared opportunity.](https://fulfillrelay.com/partners.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/partners - [Need the full workflow? Or just your returns?](https://fulfillrelay.com/compare.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/compare - [Pay for the workflow you need.](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing - [FulfillRelay pricing.](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing - [FulfillRelay Returns pricing.](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/returns.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/returns - [Route Shopify orders to suppliers by SKU | FulfillRelay](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing - [Sync supplier tracking back to Shopify orders | FulfillRelay](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-supplier-tracking-sync.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-supplier-tracking-sync - [Free Shopify returns portal for small stores | FulfillRelay Returns](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/free-shopify-returns-portal.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/free-shopify-returns-portal - [Find suppliers or connect your own? Shopify workflow guide](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/supplier-marketplace-vs-order-routing.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/supplier-marketplace-vs-order-routing - [Before you install.](https://fulfillrelay.com/before-you-install.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/before-you-install - [Bring your supplier along in one email.](https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier - [Send Shopify orders to your supplier without copy-and-paste](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/send-shopify-orders-to-supplier.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/send-shopify-orders-to-supplier - [For the orders that need a closer look.](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/blog - [USPS Holiday Rates 2026: Budget for Supplier Split Shipments](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/usps-holiday-rates-2026-supplier-split-shipment-budget.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/usps-holiday-rates-2026-supplier-split-shipment-budget - [Shopify Order Status Links: Supplier Tracking Checks](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-order-status-links-supplier-tracking-checks.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-order-status-links-supplier-tracking-checks - [Shopify Return Window Overrides: Check Supplier Deadlines](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-return-window-overrides-supplier-checks.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-return-window-overrides-supplier-checks - [Shopify Product CSV Imports: Check Supplier Variant Mappings](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-product-csv-import-supplier-variant-mappings.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-product-csv-import-supplier-variant-mappings - [Shopify Supplier Stockouts: Checks Before Selling More](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-supplier-stockout-availability-checks.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-supplier-stockout-availability-checks - [Shopify Supplier Tracking Stuck at Label Created: A Checklist](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-supplier-tracking-label-created-checklist.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-supplier-tracking-label-created-checklist - [Shopify Market-Driven Shipping: Checks for Supplier Orders](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-market-driven-shipping-supplier-checks.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-market-driven-shipping-supplier-checks - [Shopify Return Inspection Checklist Before Refunds and Restocking](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-return-inspection-refund-restock-checklist.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-return-inspection-refund-restock-checklist - [Shopify Batch Fulfillment Checks Before Holiday Shipping](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-batch-fulfillment-holiday-shipping-checks.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-batch-fulfillment-holiday-shipping-checks - [Missing Items in a Shopify Order and Split Shipments](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-missing-item-split-shipment-checklist.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-missing-item-split-shipment-checklist - [AI Chat and Supplier Fulfillment on Shopify: A Practical Workflow](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/ai-chat-and-supplier-fulfillment-on-shopify.md) — https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/ai-chat-and-supplier-fulfillment-on-shopify --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/ Source sitemap last modified: 2026-10-10 For independent Shopify stores # Supplier orders. Customer returns. *Less chasing.* Work with suppliers who also use Shopify? **FulfillRelay** routes eligible paid orders, brings tracking back and keeps returns connected. Only need customer returns? **FulfillRelay Returns** gives your store a branded portal. [Explore order routing](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) [Install Returns · start free](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=home-hero) Routing from $49 USD/month · Returns free for 5 cases/month. [Not sure which one? Find your fit](https://fulfillrelay.com/compare#find-your-fit) Watch the products Find the right workflow for your store. [More videos and setup guides](https://fulfillrelay.com/demo) - For Shopify stores - Connect your existing Shopify suppliers - Exact SKU and price matches - AI suggests. You decide. - Customer returns included in Main Our apps ## Supplier routing and returns. Or just your returns. Choose FulfillRelay for supplier routing, tracking and returns in one app. Choose FulfillRelay Returns for standalone customer returns. You do not need both to get started. Supplier operations + returns 01 ### FulfillRelay From supplier order to customer return. For retailers and suppliers who each use Shopify. Route the right items, follow tracking back and coordinate returns without losing the supplier context. - Agree exact products and supplier prices - Route eligible paid order lines - Bring supplier tracking back to your order - Customer returns and supplier coordination included within plan limits Retailers from **$49 USD/month** Supplier Connect is free [Explore FulfillRelay](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) [View pricing](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing) [![FulfillRelay routing workspace showing order status and supplier handoffs with example data](https://fulfillrelay.com/assets/product-orders-main-final.png)](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) See order status and supplier handoffs in one workspace. Customer return management 02 ### FulfillRelay Returns Review return requests in one place. For merchants who want a dedicated customer returns workflow. Give customers a branded portal and your team a clear place to review. - Collect email-verified customer requests - Review rules, photos and optional AI advice - Decide approvals and refunds separately Start **free** with 5 cases/monthPaid plans from $19 USD/month [Explore Returns](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) [View pricing](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/returns) [![FulfillRelay Returns case workspace showing customer evidence and merchant review controls with example data](https://fulfillrelay.com/assets/product-return-case.png)](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) Review customer evidence alongside your return rules. [Which one fits your store? Compare the apps](https://fulfillrelay.com/compare#features) Sound familiar? ## The busywork that eats your week. ### Another email to your supplier? Match each product to an exact supplier SKU. Use approved mappings to route eligible paid lines to the right supplier. [See SKU routing](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing) ### Where is the tracking? Suppliers fulfill in their own Shopify store. Tracking returns to your original order, with the lines and quantities shipped. [See tracking sync](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-supplier-tracking-sync) ### Return photos buried in an inbox? Customers verify their email and submit a request with photos. Evidence and your rules sit side by side for review. [See the returns portal](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) Simple pricing ## Start with the plan your store needs. Each app has its own plans. FulfillRelay paid plans offer a 14-day trial, subject to Shopify eligibility. All prices are in USD. Supplier order routing ### FulfillRelay for retailers from $49 / month Route eligible paid orders, follow every handoff and bring tracking back. Includes customer returns within plan limits. [Install FulfillRelay](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=home-pricing-retailer) Customer returns ### FulfillRelay Returns Free · 5 cases / month A branded portal and one workspace for every request. Paid plans from $19 / month. [Install Returns](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=home-pricing-returns) For suppliers ### Supplier Connect Free Receive connected retailers’ orders in your own Shopify store. [Install FulfillRelay](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=home-pricing-supplier) [Order routing plans](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing) [Returns plans](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/returns) [Compare all plans](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing) Before you install ## Three answers merchants ask for first. ### Is it right for my store? A Shopify store with a Shopify supplier you already work with suits FulfillRelay. A store that wants a branded returns portal suits Returns. Neither finds suppliers for you or refunds automatically. [Check the fit →](https://fulfillrelay.com/before-you-install#fit) ### What happens after I install? Agree terms, connect both stores, approve exact items and follow the first paid order. For Returns, publish your rules and review the first request. [See the four steps →](https://fulfillrelay.com/before-you-install#next) ### What happens to my data? Each store stays separate. AI suggests and you decide. No card numbers are stored, and customer data is not sold. [Read the data details →](https://fulfillrelay.com/before-you-install#data) [Step-by-step guides](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides) [Product walkthroughs](https://fulfillrelay.com/demo) [Ask about your setup](https://fulfillrelay.com/contact) Questions, answered ## Quick answers before you install. **Do I need both apps?** No. Install either app on its own. FulfillRelay also includes customer returns within plan limits, so retailers who route supplier orders do not need a separate returns app to start. [Compare the apps](https://fulfillrelay.com/compare). **Will my suppliers need to change how they work?** Both stores install FulfillRelay and confirm the connection. Your supplier approves the exact products and prices, then accepts and fulfills orders in its own Shopify store. Supplier Connect is free. Each business keeps its own access. **Does AI decide my returns?** No. AI suggestions in FulfillRelay Returns are optional. You review the evidence against your rules, approve or decline each case yourself and explicitly confirm any Shopify refund. **What does it cost to start?** Supplier Connect is free and FulfillRelay Returns includes 5 cases a month. Retailer routing plans start at $49 USD/month, and FulfillRelay paid plans offer a 14-day trial (eligibility applies). [See all pricing](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing). **How do I get help setting up?** Follow the [step-by-step guides](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides) and [video tutorials](https://fulfillrelay.com/demo), visit the [help center](https://fulfillrelay.com/help), or ask about [setup support](https://fulfillrelay.com/services). --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-11 FulfillRelay · Supplier operations + customer returns # Route supplier orders. Get tracking back. You and your supplier each use Shopify. Match the exact products, route eligible paid orders and follow tracking back. Customer returns and supplier coordination are included within plan limits. [View FulfillRelay on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=shopify-supplier-order-routing) [Watch it work](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing#main-demo) [Retailers from $49 USD/month](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing) [Supplier Connect free](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing) ![FulfillRelay workspace showing orders, supplier routing and tracking progress](https://fulfillrelay.com/assets/product-orders-main-final.png) Order status, supplier handoffs and tracking in one workspace. 01 ## Send the exact item you agreed Match the precise variant, supplier price and currency before routing. Keep exceptions visible for review. 02 ## Keep each store independent Your suppliers work in their own Shopify stores. No retailer staff access required. 03 ## Stop chasing tracking updates Follow supplier acceptance and fulfillment. Tracking comes back to the original customer order, including shipped lines and quantities. How FulfillRelay works ## From first connection to tracking returned. See how a matched product moves from a paid customer order to supplier fulfillment and tracking updates. [Read the transcript →](https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#main-intro) How it works ## Start with one supplier. Build a repeatable workflow. 1. 01 ### Connect your stores You and your supplier each install FulfillRelay. Confirm the relationship between your Shopify stores. 2. 02 ### Approve the exact product Match your retail variant to the supplier’s SKU. Your supplier confirms the item, price and currency. 3. 03 ### Route eligible paid orders Approved mappings direct eligible lines to the right supplier. Items needing attention stay visible. 4. 04 ### Bring tracking back The supplier accepts and fulfills in its own store. Tracking syncs back to your original order. Supplier acceptance and supplier payments remain separate steps. You keep control of business decisions. Returns are part of the workflow ## The order does not end at delivery. Customer portal, return review and connected-supplier coordination are included in FulfillRelay within your plan limits. Keep the customer decision, supplier handling and settlement records connected. [Explore supplier-connected returns →](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-management) Customer request Your review Supplier handling Refunds and supplier settlements remain separate actions. You stay in control. Before you connect ## Two things worth knowing first. ### Your supplier connects too. FulfillRelay links two Shopify stores. Your supplier installs the free Supplier Connect side and keeps working in its own store. We wrote the email for you. [Invite your supplier](https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier) ### No Shopify supplier yet? FulfillRelay connects suppliers you already work with. It does not find them. Handle customer returns first with FulfillRelay Returns, or learn how marketplaces differ from order routing. [Start with Returns](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) [Marketplace or order routing?](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/supplier-marketplace-vs-order-routing) Make it relevant to your store ## Estimate the time you could save. Use your order volume and handling times to compare the two workflows. Calculator example assumptions — eligible order lines/month: 500; manual minutes/line: 6; review minutes/line: 2; setup hours this month: not included; additional support/exception hours: not included. The displayed estimate uses these inputs; it is not measured customer savings. Adjust the inputs on [the web calculator](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing#frv-estimate-title). ### Estimate your monthly difference See how your handling time could change with a connected workflow. Eligible order lines / month lines Manual time / line min Review time / line min Adjust the inputs to estimate handling time for your store. **Include setup & extra work** Allocate setup time to this month. For support and exceptions, enter only extra time compared with your manual workflow; exclude time already in review. Enter both fields, including 0 when appropriate. Leave blank if unknown. Setup hours this month h Additional support / exceptions h One order can contain several lines. Quantity within one line is not counted again. Setup and extra work are not included. Handling time per month **50.0 h** Manual workflow **16.7 h** With FulfillRelay Review still required **33.3 h** Estimated time saved / month More time for customers, growth, and what matters. 66.7% of 50.0 baseline hours (estimate). FulfillRelay · Order routing ## Plans for both sides of the connection. Retailers route orders. Suppliers receive and fulfill them in their own Shopify stores. [Full plan details ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing) ### For retailers Choose by routed order lines and supplier connections. Retailer plan ### Launch $49 USD / month or $490 USD / year, billed annually - **2,000** routed order lines / month - **5** supplier connections - Approved SKU mappings & tracking sync [View Launch on Shopify ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=pricing-launch) Retailer plan ### Growth $149 USD / month or $1,490 USD / year, billed annually - **10,000** routed order lines / month - **25** supplier connections - Approved SKU mappings & tracking sync [View Growth on Shopify ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=pricing-growth) Retailer plan ### Scale $399 USD / month or $3,990 USD / year, billed annually - **50,000** routed order lines / month - **Unlimited** supplier connections - Approved SKU mappings & tracking sync [View Scale on Shopify ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=pricing-scale) ### For suppliers Each supplier manages its own subscription. Supplier plan ### Supplier Connect Free · $0 / month Connect retailers, approve exact supplier SKUs, receive orders and return tracking. [Start with Supplier Connect ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=pricing-supplier-connect) Supplier plan ### Supplier Pro $19 USD / month or $190 USD / year, billed annually Add ShipStation return-label rates and purchases, warehouse and spending controls, and 1,000 optional AI return reviews per month. [Explore Supplier Pro ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=pricing-supplier-pro) All prices in USD. Paid plans offer a 14-day trial; eligibility and final billing terms appear in Shopify. Product purchases and supplier shipping charges are separate from software subscriptions. Return-label purchases require confirmation and are charged separately by your carrier or ShipStation. Only need customer returns for your own store? [See separate FulfillRelay Returns plans →](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/returns) ## A few things to know. **Does FulfillRelay find suppliers for me?** No. Connect Shopify suppliers you already work with. Agree your products and terms before routing orders. **Who needs to install and subscribe?** The retailer and supplier each install FulfillRelay in their own Shopify store. Retailer plans start at $49 USD/month. Supplier Connect is free; Supplier Pro adds optional features. **Do I also need FulfillRelay Returns?** Not automatically. FulfillRelay includes customer returns and connected-supplier coordination within Main plan limits. [Compare the apps](https://fulfillrelay.com/compare#features) if you only need standalone customer return management. Your next step ## Connect your first supplier. Start with one approved product and your first eligible paid order. [Install FulfillRelay](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=shopify-supplier-order-routing) [Need setup help?](https://fulfillrelay.com/services) Is it right for your store? ## Know the fit before you install. The quickest way to avoid a wrong install is to be clear about who each app is for, and who it is not for. ### FulfillRelay Retailers and suppliers who both use Shopify #### Good fit - You sell on Shopify and already work with a supplier who also uses Shopify. - You have agreed product, shipping and returns terms with that supplier. - You want each supplier order tied to an exact product, price and currency. - You want tracking to come back to the original customer order. #### Probably not for you - You want FulfillRelay to find suppliers for you. It does not. - Your supplier does not use Shopify. Each business needs its own Shopify store. - You want items sent without an approved match. Unmatched items stay visible for review and are not sent. [See how FulfillRelay works](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) Still unsure? [Compare the two apps side by side](https://fulfillrelay.com/compare). What happens next ## Four steps from install to your first result. A first successful setup is one real order or one real return that you can follow from start to finish. ### FulfillRelay 1. **Agree terms with your supplier** Product, shipping and returns terms are between you and the supplier you already work with. 2. **Connect both stores** The retailer and the supplier each install FulfillRelay in their own Shopify store and confirm the connection. 3. **Approve exact item matches** Match each product to the supplier’s exact item. Anything unmatched stays visible as needing attention. 4. **Follow the first order** One approved, paid order line appears in the supplier’s store. Follow it until tracking returns to your original order. Billing runs through Shopify, and final plan availability and terms appear there. [See all plans](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing). Questions about your data? [Read how we handle it](https://fulfillrelay.com/before-you-install#data). --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-management Source sitemap last modified: 2026-07-31 A workflow inside FulfillRelay # A customer return. A connected supplier. One shared record. Coordinate the retailer decision, supplier handling and separate settlement records for a return associated with a supplier order. ### Retailer review Review the customer request against your published rules and record your decision. ### Supplier handling The connected supplier reviews its side and records the agreed label, receipt and inspection steps. ### Separate records The customer refund and supplier settlement remain distinct. A return decision alone does not move money. ## Part of your existing supplier workflow This page describes the main FulfillRelay app. The independent FulfillRelay Returns app manages your own store’s customer returns, with a free plan available on Shopify. [View on Shopify App Store](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=returns-management) [About the separate Returns app](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-11 FulfillRelay Returns · Customer returns for Shopify # Get return requests out of your inbox. Give customers a branded portal for order details, reasons and photos. Review the evidence beside your rules and keep approval in your hands. Start free with 5 return cases a month; no supplier connection is needed. [Install Returns free](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=returns-app) [Watch it work](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app#returns-video) [Free for 5 return cases/month](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/returns) [Paid plans from $19 USD/month](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/returns) ![FulfillRelay Returns workspace with customer evidence, policy checks and merchant decisions](https://fulfillrelay.com/assets/product-return-case.png) Customer evidence, return rules and decisions in one workspace. 01 ## Get the details in one request Collect order details, return reasons and photo evidence through your branded portal. 02 ## Review evidence, not email threads Review each case against your rules. AI suggestions are optional; approval stays with you. 03 ## Give customers a place to check Share labels and case progress in the portal, with status emails when enabled. How FulfillRelay Returns works ## From first request to a resolved return. See how customers submit a return and how your team reviews the request, checks photos and decides what happens next. [Read the transcript →](https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#returns-intro) How it works ## One request. Four clear steps. 1. 01 ### Publish your return rules Set your store’s return policy and share your branded customer portal. 2. 02 ### Collect the request Customers verify their email, select their order item and provide a reason, photos or notes. 3. 03 ### Review and decide Check the evidence against your rules. Use optional AI suggestions when helpful, then approve or decline yourself. 4. 04 ### Resolve the return Upload a carrier return label, record the received item and explicitly confirm any Shopify refund. You control approvals and refunds. Return-label PDFs come from your carrier before you upload them. ![Branded customer returns portal with order lookup and email verification](https://fulfillrelay.com/assets/product-portal.png) Your store’s customer experience ## Your brand stays part of the return. Give customers a direct portal link under your store’s branding, with a clear path from request to status update. - Order lookup and email verification. - Return reasons, photos and notes in one request. - Labels and the latest case status in the portal. FulfillRelay Returns · Customer returns ## Start free. Grow with your return volume. A separate app for your store. No supplier connection or Main subscription required. [Full plan details ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/returns) Returns plan ### Free $0 USD / month - **5** return cases / month - **5** optional AI reviews / month - Branded customer portal - Manual approval & decline - Return-label PDF uploads [Start free on Shopify ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=pricing-free) Returns plan ### Starter $19 USD / month - **50** return cases / month - **50** optional AI reviews / month - Branded customer portal - Manual approval & decline - Return-label PDF uploads [View Starter on Shopify ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=pricing-starter) Returns plan ### Growth $49 USD / month - **300** return cases / month - **300** optional AI reviews / month - Branded customer portal - Manual approval & decline - Return-label PDF uploads [View Growth on Shopify ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=pricing-growth) Returns plan ### Pro $99 USD / month - **1,000** return cases / month - **1,000** optional AI reviews / month - Branded customer portal - Manual approval & decline - Return-label PDF uploads [View Pro on Shopify ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=pricing-pro) Paid plans are billed in USD every 30 days through Shopify. AI reviews provide suggestions; you make the decision and confirm any refund. Obtain return-label PDFs from your carrier before uploading them. Need orders routed between retailer and supplier stores? [See FulfillRelay order routing plans →](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing) ## A few things to know. **Do I need the main FulfillRelay app?** No. FulfillRelay Returns is a separate app for your Shopify store. No supplier connection or Main subscription is required. If you also need supplier order routing, [explore FulfillRelay](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing). **Does AI approve returns or issue refunds?** No. AI reviews provide optional suggestions within your plan limits. You approve or decline each return and explicitly confirm any refund. **How do return labels work?** Obtain a return-label PDF from your carrier, then upload it to the case for your customer. Label postage is separate from the app subscription. **What is included in the free plan?** Five return cases and five optional AI reviews per month, with the branded portal and manual review workflow. Paid plans support higher monthly volumes. Your next step ## Give every return a clear path. Install Returns, publish your rules and share your portal link. [Install Returns free](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=returns-app) [Read the setup guide](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-returns-portal-setup) Is it right for your store? ## Know the fit before you install. The quickest way to avoid a wrong install is to be clear about who each app is for, and who it is not for. ### FulfillRelay Returns Any Shopify store that handles its own customer returns #### Good fit - You run a Shopify store and handle your own customer returns. - You want customers to send order details, reasons and photos in one branded place. - You want to review each request against your own written rules. - You are happy to make approvals and confirm refunds yourself. #### Probably not for you - You want returns approved or refunded automatically. AI only suggests. - You need supplier order routing. Returns does not include it; FulfillRelay does. - You expect Returns to buy shipping labels. You upload return-label PDFs from your carrier. [See how FulfillRelay Returns works](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) Still unsure? [Compare the two apps side by side](https://fulfillrelay.com/compare). What happens next ## Four steps from install to your first result. A first successful setup is one real order or one real return that you can follow from start to finish. ### FulfillRelay Returns 1. **Install from Shopify** Start on the free plan: 5 return cases and 5 optional AI reviews a month. 2. **Publish your return rules** Set the rules customers see and your team reviews each request against. 3. **Customers send a request** They verify their order email, then submit reasons, notes and photos through your portal. 4. **You review and decide** Approve or decline, upload a carrier label, and confirm any Shopify refund yourself. Billing runs through Shopify, and final plan availability and terms appear there. [See all plans](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing). Questions about your data? [Read how we handle it](https://fulfillrelay.com/before-you-install#data). --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo Source sitemap last modified: 2026-10-11 Product demos # See the workflow. *Find your fit.* From supplier orders to customer returns. Watch the apps in action, explore the screens and see how to get started. [Explore the demos](https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#introductions) [Try the screen tour](https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#product-tour) Two Shopify apps. Choose the workflow your store needs. Start here 0:44 **Two apps. One quick introduction.** Get the overview in 44 seconds. **Read video text : FulfillRelay: supplier orders and customer returns** 1. 00:00 Supplier orders. Customer returns. So much chasing. 2. 00:06 Meet FulfillRelay. Two focused Shopify apps, built around your operation. 3. 00:12 FulfillRelay connects your store to the suppliers you already work with. Match each product to an exact supplier SKU. Route eligible paid orders and watch tracking flow back to your customer’s order. 4. 00:23 FulfillRelay Returns gives customers a branded portal with email verification. You see the photos and the rules, get optional AI suggestions, and make every decision yourself. 5. 00:34 Start free with five return cases a month. Less chasing. More running your store. Watch the workflow ## Your next step, in under a minute. Choose supplier routing and returns together, or a dedicated returns app. You can start with either one. Supplier operations + returns 01 ### FulfillRelay Match exact products, route eligible paid orders and follow supplier tracking back. Customer returns are included in the app. [Explore FulfillRelay](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) Product demo 0:42 **Read video text : FulfillRelay: supplier orders and tracking** 1. 00:00 A new order. Great. Another email to your supplier? Not so great. 2. 00:05 Keep the suppliers you already work with. Connect your Shopify stores with FulfillRelay. 3. 00:12 Take this sweater. Match it to the exact supplier variant, then get their approval. 4. 00:18 Now, route eligible paid orders. Anything that needs attention stays visible. 5. 00:25 Your supplier accepts and fulfills in their own Shopify store. 6. 00:30 Tracking comes back to the original order. Less chasing. A clearer handoff. 7. 00:36 Start small. Follow one order all the way through. That’s FulfillRelay. Standalone customer returns 02 ### FulfillRelay Returns A branded portal for your customers. One workspace to review requests, photos and rules. Every decision stays with your store. [Explore Returns](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) Product demo 0:40 **Read video text : FulfillRelay Returns: customer returns** 1. 00:00 Can I return this? A simple question. A messy email thread. 2. 00:05 Give customers your branded returns portal. They verify their order email before choosing an item. 3. 00:12 See the reason, photos, and return rules together. No digging through separate messages. 4. 00:19 You approve or decline. Optional AI suggestions can help. Refunds remain a separate decision. 5. 00:27 Follow the return through shipping and receipt, then review any refund before confirming it. 6. 00:33 Start free with five return cases a month. FulfillRelay Returns works on its own. ## Product tour Real screens from each app, shown with demo data. ### FulfillRelay #### See every order's routing status Paid orders, the supplier on each one and where it stands, from awaiting routing to fulfilled. Orders and quantities already routed are not duplicated. ![FulfillRelay routing workspace listing orders with supplier, Shopify status and routing status](https://fulfillrelay.com/assets/tour-routing-orders.jpg) [View full size](https://fulfillrelay.com/assets/tour-routing-orders.jpg) #### Match each product to the exact supplier item Propose a supplier SKU for a product variant. The supplier selects the exact variant and confirms the price before anything is sent. ![SKU mappings screen proposing a supplier SKU for a retailer product variant](https://fulfillrelay.com/assets/tour-sku-mappings.jpg) [View full size](https://fulfillrelay.com/assets/tour-sku-mappings.jpg) #### Your supplier accepts in its own store The supplier sees assigned orders on a focused workboard, accepts or rejects the work, and fulfills from its own Shopify records. ![Supplier orders screen with an assigned order to accept or reject](https://fulfillrelay.com/assets/tour-supplier-orders.jpg) [View full size](https://fulfillrelay.com/assets/tour-supplier-orders.jpg) ### FulfillRelay Returns #### Customers start a return in your portal They enter the order number and verify the order email before choosing an item. Order details stay hidden until the code is verified. ![Branded Start a return page asking for an order number and order email](https://fulfillrelay.com/assets/product-portal.png) [View full size](https://fulfillrelay.com/assets/product-portal.png) #### You review the evidence and decide See the customer's item, reason, notes and photos beside your return rules. Approve or decline yourself, and confirm any refund as a separate step. ![Return case with customer evidence, rule match and manual decision buttons](https://fulfillrelay.com/assets/product-return-case.png) [View full size](https://fulfillrelay.com/assets/product-return-case.png) Ready to get started? ## One clear first step. Follow a short setup guide, then try your first supplier order or customer return. Setup guide 1:10 ### Connect your first supplier Connect both Shopify stores, confirm a product match and follow your first eligible order. [Read the supplier setup guide](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/send-shopify-orders-to-supplier) **Read video text : Get started with FulfillRelay** 1. 00:00 Install FulfillRelay in your Shopify store. Your supplier installs it in their own store to receive your orders. 2. 00:10 Add your supplier and send an invitation. They accept the connection and choose their receiving Shopify store. 3. 00:20 Choose your product and its supplier SKU. Your supplier confirms the exact variant and settlement price. 4. 00:30 Find paid orders with approved product matches. Review any items that need attention before routing. 5. 00:39 Your supplier accepts and fulfills the order in Shopify. Tracking returns to your original customer order. 6. 00:49 Review the covered orders and total, then continue to Shopify checkout. Your supplier receives payment directly. 7. 00:59 Connect one supplier, match one product and follow your first eligible order. Get started at fulfillrelay.com. Setup guide 1:24 ### Set up customer returns Publish your rules, share your portal and review a return request through to resolution. [Read the returns setup guide](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-returns-portal-setup) **Read video text : Get started with FulfillRelay Returns** 1. 00:00 Install FulfillRelay Returns for a dedicated returns workspace. It works independently of the main FulfillRelay app. 2. 00:11 Choose your return window and review requirements. Publish your rules and select the customer updates to send. 3. 00:20 Add your portal link to your store. Customers enter their order number and the email used at checkout. 4. 00:29 Customers enter the code sent to their order email before choosing an item and submitting their return request. 5. 00:39 Review the reason, photos and return-rule results together. Ask for an optional AI suggestion when you need support. 6. 00:50 Approve or decline the request yourself. Approved returns move to return shipping; refunds are confirmed separately. 7. 01:01 Upload a carrier-prepared label PDF, record the returned item and review any refund before confirming it. 8. 01:11 Get five return cases and five optional AI reviews each month. Install from Shopify at fulfillrelay.com/returns-app. **Another quick introduction 0:41** ### FulfillRelay and FulfillRelay Returns Find the workflow for your store: supplier order routing with FulfillRelay, or customer returns with FulfillRelay Returns. **Read video text : FulfillRelay and FulfillRelay Returns** 1. 00:00 Orders going out. Returns coming in. Two different jobs. Give each one a clear workflow. 2. 00:07 FulfillRelay connects your Shopify store with your existing suppliers. Match products, route eligible orders, and get tracking back. 3. 00:16 FulfillRelay Returns gives customers a branded portal, and you a workspace to review requests and decide what happens next. 4. 00:26 Need supplier order routing? Start with FulfillRelay. Managing customer returns? Choose FulfillRelay Returns. 5. 00:34 Separate apps. Separate subscriptions. Explore both at fulfillrelay.com. Still deciding which app fits? [Compare the apps](https://fulfillrelay.com/compare) [Before you install](https://fulfillrelay.com/before-you-install) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-multi-supplier-fulfillment Source sitemap last modified: 2026-07-21 **Find your fit.** Routing from $49/month. Returns free for 5 cases/month. [See pricing](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing) Operations guide # How to replace spreadsheet supplier handoffs in Shopify A multi-supplier workflow is only automated when ownership, quantities, payment evidence, tracking, and exceptions remain auditable across both retailer and supplier stores. [See the routing model](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) [Watch the workflow](https://fulfillrelay.com/demo) ## Why spreadsheets and chat stop scaling Manual supplier coordination usually separates the customer order from the supplier's work record. A copied row can lose the original order identity, route the wrong quantity, expose unrelated SKUs, or leave tracking trapped in a message thread. **Manual handoff** Copied rows, screenshots, email attachments, and status requests. **Operational risk** Stale mappings, duplicate sends, missing payment evidence, and unclear ownership. **Controlled state** Mapped lines, supplier orders, explicit exceptions, and synchronized tracking. ## The minimum control model ### 1. Route only eligible paid lines Define the payment evidence that makes a retailer line eligible. Do not treat an authorization, test payment, manual flag, currency mismatch, or outstanding balance as completed payment. ### 2. Approve exact supplier variants A shared SKU string is not enough. The supplier should confirm the exact Shopify variant, price, currency, and relationship before routing begins. ### 3. Preserve line quantities Same-SKU supplemental lines, partial quantities, and fulfillment locations need explicit allocation rather than silent consolidation. ### 4. Give suppliers their own work surface Suppliers should accept, reject, fulfill, and return tracking from their own authorized store instead of receiving retailer admin access. ### 5. Fail closed with visible exceptions Missing mappings, unavailable quantities, conflicting locations, duplicate receipts, and incomplete payment evidence should stop the affected work without hiding the reason. ## Questions to ask before choosing a Shopify supplier routing app - Does a multi-SKU order split by approved line mapping, or does the app forward the whole order? - What happens when no line belongs to a supplier? - Can the supplier work without retailer Shopify staff access? - Which store owns supplier pricing and currency? - What evidence changes a supplier order from unpaid to paid? - Can tracking update the retailer's original Shopify fulfillment? - Are retailer-to-supplier relationships isolated from one another? - What remains after a supplier disconnects? ## When FulfillRelay is and is not the right fit **Use it when** You already have direct suppliers and want Shopify-native operating evidence. **Use it when** One order may contain lines owned by different supplier relationships. **Do not use it for** Supplier discovery, marketplace sourcing, fund custody, or automatic refund decisions. ## Make supplier handoffs visible See the exact line-routing behavior, product boundaries, and two-store workflow. [Explore Shopify supplier routing](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) Ready when you are ## Less chasing starts with one connected workflow. Need supplier routing and returns together? Choose FulfillRelay. Only need customer returns? Start with FulfillRelay Returns. [Supplier operations + returns **Install FulfillRelay** Route eligible paid orders, bring tracking back and coordinate customer returns. *Retailers from $49 USD/month · Supplier Connect free*](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=footer-band-main) [Customer returns **Install FulfillRelay Returns** A branded portal, your rules and every decision in one place. *Start free · 5 cases a month*](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=footer-band-returns) [Explore routing](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) [Start Returns free](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=sticky-returns) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/services Source sitemap last modified: 2026-07-29 Software setup and support # Turn your supplier agreement into a working connection. A practical setup path for the retailer and supplier who already work together. ## Before you start - Both businesses have their own Shopify store and can install the app. - You have agreed on the products, prices, shipping and returns terms. - You can identify one exact retail variant and the matching supplier variant. ## Start with one supplier and one mapped SKU 1. ### Connect both stores The retailer and supplier install FulfillRelay separately and confirm their relationship. 2. ### Approve an exact mapping Match a retail variant to the supplier’s catalog variant. The supplier confirms the item and its store supplies the current price and currency. 3. ### Route a ready, paid order line The connection, mapping, payment evidence and plan must be ready. Items that need correction remain visible. 4. ### Follow tracking back The supplier accepts and fulfills the work in its own Shopify store. Follow that order’s tracking back to the original retailer order. ## Support for using the software We can help explain configuration, connection steps and visible product errors. Your team and supplier operate the orders, fulfillment, payments and returns. [Ask a setup question](mailto:support@fulfillrelay.com?subject=FulfillRelay%20setup%20support) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/support Source sitemap last modified: 2026-07-21 # FulfillRelay support Get help with installation, supplier access, order routing, tracking, returns, plans, or Shopify payment checkout evidence. ## Contact support Email [support@fulfillrelay.com](mailto:support@fulfillrelay.com). Include your Shopify store domain and the FulfillRelay order, open item, return, or payment-batch reference involved. ## Protect account information Never email passwords, verification codes, card numbers, Shopify access tokens, API secrets, or customer identity documents. Support will not ask you to mark a payment as paid outside Shopify. ## Supplier access Suppliers can request a secure sign-in link from the supplier sign-in page. Retailers can issue a new invitation from the Suppliers page if a relationship has not been activated yet. --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/about Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-10 About FulfillRelay # Your relationships. Less operational back-and-forth. FulfillRelay is software by Boreal Meridian Commerce Inc. for retailers and suppliers that each operate a Shopify store. ## Built around the supplier relationship you bring The retailer keeps the customer relationship. The supplier keeps its catalog, prices and fulfillment. FulfillRelay coordinates mapped order lines, payment evidence and tracking between the stores. FulfillRelay Returns gives individual Shopify stores a branded customer returns portal, published rules and a dedicated review workspace. Install it separately from the Shopify App Store. [Contact us](https://fulfillrelay.com/contact) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/contact Source sitemap last modified: 2026-08-03 Contact # Find the right app for your store. Questions about product fit, retailer and supplier setup, or an existing FulfillRelay connection. ## FulfillRelay Support [support@fulfillrelay.com](mailto:support@fulfillrelay.com) Include your Shopify store domain and the step you reached. Leave out customer information, passwords, access tokens and payment details. [Read the setup FAQ](https://fulfillrelay.com/help) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/privacy Source sitemap last modified: 2026-07-12 # Privacy policy Effective July 12, 2026. Last updated September 6, 2026. This policy explains how Boreal Meridian Commerce Inc. processes information when providing FulfillRelay. ## Information we process - Shopify store, installation, subscription, and app-session data. - Order, line-item, fulfillment, tracking, return, and needs-attention data. - Order email used only to verify a customer who starts a return and deliver a short-lived access code. - Supplier organization, member email, invitation, and access data. - Encrypted shipping information needed for active fulfillment. - Support messages, audit records, and service-security events. FulfillRelay does not store card numbers or operate a wallet. Supplier payment checkout is processed by Shopify and the supplier store's configured payment gateway. ## How information is used We use information to authenticate users, route eligible paid orders, coordinate supplier work, confirm tracking and payment evidence, handle returns, provide support, prevent abuse, meet privacy requests, and maintain an auditable service. We do not sell customer data or use it for targeted advertising. When a merchant enables and requests an AI evidence review, we send the configured AI provider relevant return photos and limited case information: the item description, return reason, submitted notes, attachment details, return rules, and rule-check results. We may also include aggregate counts and rates of the merchant's previous return decisions. We filter common contact details and identifiers from text, but photos may contain personal information supplied by the customer. AI produces summaries and suggestions; merchants make return decisions and separately confirm refunds. ## Service providers FulfillRelay uses Shopify for commerce and app billing, Vercel for application hosting, Neon for PostgreSQL hosting, Resend for service email, and Clerk for employee-console authentication. Anthropic and OpenAI are supported providers for merchant-requested return-evidence reviews; the configured provider is used for each request. Provider use is limited to operating the service. ## Retention and deletion Protected shipping data is scheduled for deletion 90 days after the latest eligible order ingestion. Customer return access stores a hashed email match and hashed one-time code rather than the plaintext order email. Support content and access tokens also use bounded retention periods. Shopify privacy webhooks are used for customer data requests and shop or customer redaction. Some audit and transaction-evidence records may be retained where needed for security, disputes, or legal obligations. ## Your choices Merchants can uninstall FulfillRelay through Shopify and can contact [support@fulfillrelay.com](mailto:support@fulfillrelay.com) about access, correction, deletion, or privacy questions. Shopify customers should normally contact the merchant that controls their order. ## Security and international processing We use tenant scoping, access controls, encryption in transit and at rest for protected fields, bounded credentials, audit records, and deletion controls. Service providers may process information in countries outside your own, subject to their contractual safeguards. --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/terms Source sitemap last modified: 2026-07-12 # Terms of service Effective July 12, 2026. These terms govern merchant and supplier use of FulfillRelay, operated by Boreal Meridian Commerce Inc. ## The service FulfillRelay coordinates order routing, supplier assignments, tracking, returns, items needing attention, and supplier payment checkout evidence for connected Shopify stores. Shopify remains the source of truth for store authorization, orders, fulfillment, app subscriptions, and payment status. ## Merchant and supplier responsibilities Users must provide accurate mappings, costs, shipping and tracking information, maintain authorized Shopify stores, protect access links, and comply with applicable laws and their agreements with one another. A retailer remains responsible for customer-facing decisions, refunds, exchanges, and return outcomes. ## Plans and payment coordination App subscription charges are approved and billed through Shopify. FulfillRelay may prepare a Shopify Draft Order checkout in a connected supplier store, but does not receive or hold those funds, store cards, issue balances or credits, or provide a manual paid override. The converted checkout is a separate, non-shipping supplier-store order and appears in that store's Shopify Orders and reports. ## Acceptable use Users may not bypass access controls, submit fraudulent order or payment evidence, misuse customer information, interfere with the service, share credentials, or use FulfillRelay in violation of Shopify policies or applicable law. Retailers and suppliers may map and route only products permitted by Shopify and their connected payment providers. Cannabis, controlled substances, alcohol, pharmaceutical drugs, weapons, and other prohibited or high-risk products may not be sourced or fulfilled through FulfillRelay. ## Data processing terms For personal data contained in a merchant's Shopify orders, the merchant remains the controller or business and Boreal Meridian Commerce Inc. acts as its service provider or processor. FulfillRelay processes that data only on the merchant's documented instructions to provide, secure, and support the service, respond to privacy requests, and meet legal obligations. We do not sell customer data or share it for targeted advertising. We use the subprocessors identified in the privacy policy, apply the security and retention controls described there, and assist merchants with supported access, deletion, and incident requests. Merchants are responsible for lawful instructions, required notices and consents, and their own customer-facing policies. ## Availability and changes We work to keep core workflows available and recoverable, but no online service is uninterrupted. Features may change to protect security, comply with platform requirements, or improve reliability. Material plan or service changes will be communicated through the app or the merchant contact channel. ## Suspension and termination Access may be suspended for security risk, non-payment of the Shopify app subscription, misuse, or legal requirements. Uninstalling stops new routing; already-created fulfillment and required privacy work may remain available for a limited wind-down period. ## Liability and governing law To the extent permitted by law, FulfillRelay is provided without warranties beyond those expressly stated, and Boreal Meridian Commerce Inc. is not responsible for merchant-supplier contracts, product quality, carrier performance, or third-party payment decisions. These terms are governed by the laws of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable there. ## Contact Questions about these terms can be sent to [support@fulfillrelay.com](mailto:support@fulfillrelay.com). --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/for-suppliers Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-10 For suppliers # Receive retailer orders. Keep working in your own store. Receive connected retailers’ orders in your own Shopify store. Keep your catalog, prices and fulfillment decisions in your workspace. [View on Shopify App Store](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=for-suppliers) [How to connect](https://fulfillrelay.com/services) Supplier Connect: $0 USD/month. Your retailer chooses a separate retailer plan. ## Start with a retailer you already work with ### Connect your own store Install FulfillRelay on your supplier Shopify store and confirm your retailer relationship. Each business keeps separate access. ### Confirm the exact items Approve mappings against your catalog variants. Your store provides the supplier price and currency. ### Accept and fulfill Receive the ready order lines, accept or reject the work, and fulfill from your own Shopify order records. ## What suppliers ask first. What does it cost me? Supplier Connect is free. Supplier Pro is an optional $19 USD per month plan with additional features. Your retailer chooses a separate retailer plan, and each business manages its own app subscription in Shopify. Does the retailer get into my Shopify admin? No. A shared staff login is not needed. Each business works from its own store, and the connection shares the order and workflow information that relationship needs. Who sets the price? You do. You approve each retailer item against your own catalog variants, and your store provides the supplier price and currency. Unmatched items are not sent to you. How do I get paid for the products? The retailer pays through your Shopify checkout. FulfillRelay records payment evidence for the orders it covers. It does not hold money or card details. Does this bring me new retailers? No. FulfillRelay coordinates the relationship you already have. It does not promise new retailers or buy your stock. Can I turn an order down? Yes. You can accept or reject the work, then fulfill from your own Shopify order records. Tracking saved in Shopify goes back to the retailer. Are you a retailer? [Send your supplier a ready-to-use email](https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier). ## The shared workflow has clear boundaries Each retailer relationship is kept separate. You control your catalog and order decisions. FulfillRelay coordinates the relationship you bring; it does not promise new retailers, purchase your stock or operate your fulfillment team. Supplier Pro is an optional $19 USD/month plan for additional supplier features. Final plan availability and billing appear in Shopify. --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/help Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-06 Looking for prices? [FulfillRelay order routing plans](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing) · [FulfillRelay Returns plans](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/returns) · [Compare the two apps](https://fulfillrelay.com/compare) Help # Get your next order or return moving. Find setup steps, compare plan limits or get help with a supplier connection or customer return. ## Plans follow your role ### Retailer From $49 USD/month Launch $49 · Growth $149 · Scale $399 Choose the supplier count and routing volume that fit your operation. ### Supplier Free Supplier Connect Supplier Pro: $19 USD/month, optional. Your product sales and payments are separate from the app subscription. Prices shown in USD. Final availability, trial eligibility, billing period and plan terms are shown in Shopify. ## Frequently asked questions **Do both businesses need Shopify?** Yes. The retailer and supplier each use their own Shopify store and install FulfillRelay separately. The supplier keeps its own catalog, prices and fulfillment workspace. **Do I need to bring my own supplier?** Yes. Start with a supplier you already work with. Agree on your product, shipping and returns terms together, then connect your stores and approve the exact item mappings. **Who pays for the software?** Retailer plans start at $49 USD per month. Supplier Connect is free; Supplier Pro is an optional $19 USD per month plan. Each business manages its own app subscription in Shopify. Final availability and billing terms appear in Shopify. **How are supplier purchases paid?** Product purchases are separate from the software subscription. The retailer pays through the supplier’s Shopify checkout. FulfillRelay records the payment evidence for the orders it covers; it does not hold your money or card details. **What happens to an item with no approved mapping?** It stays visible as an item that needs attention. It is not sent to a supplier until the required connection, exact mapping, payment and plan conditions are satisfied. **Does the supplier get access to my Shopify admin?** No shared staff login is needed. Each business works from its own store, and the connection shares the order and workflow information needed for that relationship. **What does a first successful setup look like?** One approved, paid retailer order line appears as the correct order in the supplier’s Shopify store. Then follow that same order until fulfillment tracking appears back on the original retailer order. **Is FulfillRelay Returns the same app?** FulfillRelay includes supplier-related return coordination within its retailer–supplier workflow. FulfillRelay Returns is a separate app for managing your own store’s customer returns, with a free plan on the Shopify App Store. It does not require a supplier connection or the main FulfillRelay app. **Can AI approve a return or refund?** No. AI evidence reviews are advisory. Retailer and supplier decisions, refund actions and label purchases remain under human control. Feature availability depends on the app, plan and configuration. ## Need help with a connection? Send the store domain, the step you reached and the visible message. Please leave out customer details, passwords and payment information. [Email support@fulfillrelay.com](mailto:support@fulfillrelay.com?subject=FulfillRelay%20setup%20question) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-returns-portal-setup Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-10 Returns · Setup guide # How to set up a Shopify returns portal Give customers one place to request a return, and give your team one case to work from. This guide follows FulfillRelay Returns from store setup to a reviewed request. You do not need the main FulfillRelay app or a supplier connection. By the FulfillRelay product team · Updated September 10, 2026 **In this guide** ## Start with the right app and a clear policy Install FulfillRelay Returns from its own Shopify App Store listing. The Free plan includes 5 return cases and 5 optional AI reviews per month. Starter includes 50 cases, Growth 300 and Pro 1,000. Paid plans are $19, $49 and $99 USD per month; the current billing terms appear in Shopify. Decide your return window, eligible items and reasons before publishing your rules. Your customer-facing policy and the rules used in the app should agree. A portal organizes a request; it does not replace your responsibility for deciding the outcome. - [Open FulfillRelay Returns in Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=returns-setup) ## Configure rules and customer-facing details Keep the portal easy to find before and after a purchase. Use a descriptive link such as “Request a return”, rather than expecting shoppers to discover it in a long policy paragraph. - Open your return rules and review the conditions that make an item eligible. Check exclusions rather than relying on an assumed default. - Set the available store presentation and support details. Open the customer view to check what shoppers will actually see. - Choose whether to enable customer status emails. Review the available events and your usage limits. - Copy the portal link from the app and add it to your store’s returns policy or support navigation. ## Follow the shopper’s verification and request The shopper starts with their order details and verifies a code sent by email. Order details remain behind that verification. They then select an eligible item and quantity, give a reason, and provide supporting information where requested. Before sharing your portal, try an eligible test order from start to finish. Check that the return request reaches your queue and that your team can review it. ![Example FulfillRelay Returns customer portal with order and email verification](https://fulfillrelay.com/assets/product-portal.png) Your branded portal gives shoppers secure access to their returnable items. ## Review the case before deciding Open the new case in the Returns queue. Read the request, rule results and available evidence together. A rule result describes how your configured rules apply; it is not a substitute for your decision. When available and requested, AI evidence review can summarize the material and suggest a next step. It cannot approve a return or issue a refund. Use the manual approval or decline controls after reviewing the case. - [See the manual and AI-assisted review workflow](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-return-review-workflow) ## Share the label and record receipt If a return label is needed, obtain it through your carrier or shipping provider and upload the prepared PDF to the case. Uploading a PDF is different from buying postage inside the app. Keep the case current as the parcel arrives and is inspected. Review any refund separately and confirm it explicitly through the available authorized workflow. An approved request or received parcel does not, by itself, prove that money has been refunded. ## Check the full journey before sharing the portal widely - The public policy and configured rules agree. - The shopper can receive and use the verification code. - The correct item and quantity appear, and the submitted case reaches the queue. - Approval or decline produces the expected customer-facing status. - An uploaded label is available to the intended shopper. - Email settings, quota limits and support details match what you promise. - [Compare this workflow with Shopify’s built-in returns](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-native-returns-vs-returns-app) - [View all FulfillRelay Returns plans and features](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) FulfillRelay Returns ## Put the return request in one place. Start with a free plan for 5 return cases per month. Paid plans and current terms are shown in Shopify. [Explore Returns on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=shopify-returns-portal-setup) [Explore the product](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-native-returns-vs-returns-app Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-10 Returns · Choosing a workflow # Shopify native returns vs a returns app: which fits your store? Start with the workflow you need. Shopify already provides self-serve returns. An additional app should solve a specific operating problem for your store, rather than add another monthly bill without a clear purpose. By the FulfillRelay product team · Updated September 10, 2026 **In this guide** ## When Shopify’s built-in returns are enough Shopify lets eligible customers request returns through customer accounts, with return rules controlling the request. If your team is comfortable handling the resulting work in Shopify and does not need a separate portal or review workspace, start there. Check Shopify’s current requirements and your store configuration. The customer entry point matters: Shopify’s self-serve setup uses customer account sign-in. A separate verified portal offers a different entry path, not proof that native returns are inadequate. - [Shopify’s self-serve returns setup documentation](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/managing-orders/returns/self-serve-returns/setup) ## Compare the work, not just the feature names This is a comparison by the team that builds FulfillRelay Returns. It focuses on how the workflows differ, not an independent ranking or a claim that every store needs another app. | Decision | Shopify native returns | FulfillRelay Returns | | --- | --- | --- | | Customer entry | Customer accounts and supported Shopify entry points | Store-branded portal with order and email-code verification | | Review workspace | Shopify’s native order and return workflow | Dedicated case queue, rule results and supporting evidence | | AI assistance | Check Shopify’s current native capabilities for your store | Optional case evidence suggestions; you retain the decision | | Return labels | Check the shipping tools and options available to your store | Upload a carrier-prepared return-label PDF | | Why choose it | Your existing Shopify workflow already covers your requirements | You want this particular portal and case-review workflow | ## When FulfillRelay Returns is the better fit If you require a specific exchange, store-credit or label-purchasing integration, confirm that exact workflow before choosing. Do not infer those capabilities from the broad phrase “returns management”. - You want a dedicated customer return portal with email verification of the order. - Your team needs to read the rule result, customer explanation and available evidence together. - You want optional AI evidence review while keeping manual approval, decline and refund decisions. - You already obtain return labels from a carrier or shipping provider and want to attach the PDF to the case. ## Compare the cost at your actual volume FulfillRelay Returns Free includes 5 cases per month. Paid tiers provide 50 cases for $19, 300 for $49 or 1,000 for $99 USD per month, each with the same number of optional AI reviews. Check Shopify for current plan terms. Estimate your monthly return requests and the time your team spends handling them. Count the steps an app would actually remove. Treat your own estimate as an estimate, rather than applying someone else’s claimed time savings to your store. ## Try the full return journey - Map the customer’s entry, request, review, label and resolution steps in your current process. - Follow an eligible return through the workflow you plan to use. - Check what still requires a person, a carrier or another system. - Choose the smallest setup that gives your team a clearer result. - [Follow the FulfillRelay Returns setup guide](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-returns-portal-setup) - [Explore returns tools by use case](https://fulfillrelay.com/best-shopify-returns-apps) ## Sources and further reading - [Shopify: setting up self-serve returns](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/managing-orders/returns/self-serve-returns/setup) - [FulfillRelay Returns: current features and pricing](https://apps.shopify.com/fulfillrelay-returns) FulfillRelay Returns ## Put the return request in one place. Start with a free plan for 5 return cases per month. Paid plans and current terms are shown in Shopify. [Explore Returns on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=shopify-native-returns-vs-returns-app) [Explore the product](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-return-review-workflow Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-10 Returns · Review guide # A Shopify return review workflow with human control The best return review workflow makes the next decision clear. Bring the request, your rules and the available evidence into one case, then separate the decision to accept a return from shipping and refund actions. By the FulfillRelay product team · Updated September 10, 2026 **In this guide** ## Read what the customer is asking for Start with the item, quantity, reason and requested outcome. Read the customer’s explanation before interpreting a photo in isolation. A damaged package, a damaged product and an incorrect item can require different follow-up. Confirm that the case belongs to the verified order. If evidence is missing, avoid treating the absence as proof that the request is valid or invalid. Ask for what you need through your established support process. ## Check the published rule result Compare the request with the rule results shown in the case: for example, the return window or an item exclusion. Explain exceptions in a way your team can understand later. Rules help make decisions consistent. They do not remove the need to consider the facts of the case and the obligations that apply to your business. ## Use AI for a second reading, not an automatic decision Where available, request an AI evidence review on an eligible case. Read its summary alongside the actual customer material. It may help draw attention to missing information or relevant rule considerations. AI suggestions can be incomplete or wrong. FulfillRelay Returns leaves approval and decline to a person. If an AI review is unavailable, continue with the available manual review controls rather than waiting for an automatic decision that will not happen. ![Example return case with customer evidence and manual review controls](https://fulfillrelay.com/assets/product-return-case.png) Review customer evidence and take the next action in one workspace. ## Keep four different outcomes separate Open the relevant action, check its details and confirm deliberately. Do not use the customer-facing status alone as accounting proof of a refund. | Step | What it establishes | What it does not establish | | --- | --- | --- | | Approve or decline | Your decision on the request | A label was purchased or money was refunded | | Upload a label | A prepared PDF is attached to the case | The carrier has received a parcel | | Record receipt | Your team has recorded the returned item’s arrival | The inspection or refund is complete | | Confirm a refund | An explicitly authorized refund action | A supplier settlement in the separate Main workflow | ## Keep the shopper informed The portal is where the shopper can check progress. Optional status emails depend on your configuration and usage limits. Check which events you enable and what support address the shopper sees. A clear explanation is more useful than an unexplained status change. Make sure your public policy describes how to contact the store if the customer has a question. ## If a supplier is involved, use the right product FulfillRelay Returns handles a store’s customer return workflow independently. FulfillRelay, the separate supplier-routing app, coordinates retailer and supplier stages and their separate obligations. The two products should not be treated as interchangeable. - [Explore supplier-related returns in FulfillRelay](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-management) - [Set up the standalone Returns portal](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-returns-portal-setup) FulfillRelay Returns ## Put the return request in one place. Start with a free plan for 5 return cases per month. Paid plans and current terms are shown in Shopify. [Explore Returns on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=shopify-return-review-workflow) [Explore the product](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/best-shopify-supplier-order-routing-apps Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-11 Buying guide · Supplier operations # Best Shopify supplier order routing apps for your workflow Your suppliers. Their stores. A workflow that connects them. Choose the best Shopify order routing approach by the job you need done: finding products, choosing a warehouse or handing orders to existing suppliers. By the FulfillRelay product team · Updated September 11, 2026 **In this guide** ## Our best fit: your existing independent Shopify suppliers FulfillRelay is our best fit for retailers working with existing suppliers who each run an independent Shopify store. Approve exact product mappings, route eligible paid order lines and follow tracking back to the original order. Keep each store independent and each handoff visible. Supplier acceptance, payment evidence and returns coordination stay part of a clear operating process. ![Example FulfillRelay supplier order workspace](https://fulfillrelay.com/assets/product-orders-main-final.png) Keep orders and supplier routing progress together in your workspace. ## Choose the workflow behind the feature list | Your starting point | The type of solution to look for | What to check | | --- | --- | --- | | You already have Shopify suppliers | Connected-store order routing, such as FulfillRelay | Exact variant mappings, eligible line routing, supplier acceptance and tracking | | You need products or new suppliers | A sourcing catalog or supplier marketplace | Available suppliers, product terms and how orders are fulfilled | | You fulfill from your own locations | Shopify location-routing tools | Location priorities, stock availability and fulfillment rules | | You send orders manually | Email or spreadsheet handoffs | Who verifies items, quantities, shipment updates and exceptions | - [Find suppliers or connect suppliers: choose the right starting point](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/supplier-marketplace-vs-order-routing) ## Choose the capacity your supplier network needs FulfillRelay retailer subscriptions are based on routed order lines and supplier connections. One customer order may contain several order lines. Supplier Connect is free. | Retailer plan | USD / month | Included capacity | | --- | --- | --- | | Launch | $49 | 2,000 routed lines; 5 suppliers | | Growth | $149 | 10,000 routed lines; 25 suppliers | | Scale | $399 | 50,000 routed lines; unlimited supplier connections | - [See full retailer and supplier plans](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing) ## Why choose FulfillRelay for this scenario? Start with one supplier relationship and one approved exact variant mapping. Eligible paid lines can become normal orders in that supplier’s Shopify store, while other lines stay with their own relationships or remain visible for attention. Each business keeps its own Shopify account and responsibilities. Supplier checkout and payment evidence remain distinct from the customer sale. Return coordination records the retailer and supplier stages without treating AI suggestions as approval. Retailer plans start at $49 USD per month; Supplier Connect is free. If you need a supplier marketplace or your supplier does not use Shopify, address that fit question before installing. - [See FulfillRelay’s supplier workflow](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) - [Read the multi-supplier operations guide](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-multi-supplier-fulfillment) ## What happens to a mixed supplier order? An illustrative order with one item mapped to Supplier A, one mapped to Supplier B and one unmapped item should not be sent whole to both suppliers. FulfillRelay evaluates lines against approved mappings; the unmapped line remains visible for attention. - [Follow the SKU routing example](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing) - [Follow tracking back to the customer order](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-supplier-tracking-sync) ## See the real interface and try one complete handoff The walkthrough shows the real FulfillRelay interface with example data. Before expanding your setup, use a test order to follow one approved item through supplier fulfillment and tracking. Check the quantities and agreed supplier price at each step. Then review the payment and returns workflows you actually intend to use. Choose the tool that handles your real operating chain cleanly, not the longest feature list. Get started with FulfillRelay. [Read the full transcript](https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#main-start) - [Watch the FulfillRelay workflow](https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#main-start) ## Ask these questions before installing - Will it send only the lines belonging to this supplier, or the entire customer order? - What happens to an unmapped item or a price that needs review? - Does the supplier need a Shopify store, a separate portal or access to my admin? - Which store owns the supplier price and currency? - How will a partial shipment return its tracking to the retailer order? - Where do the retailer’s customer refund and the supplier’s settlement get recorded? FulfillRelay ## Put the supplier workflow into practice. Connect a supplier you already work with. Retailer plans start at $49 USD/month; Supplier Connect is free. [Explore FulfillRelay on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=best-shopify-supplier-order-routing-apps) [Explore the product](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) [Bring your supplier in](https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/best-shopify-returns-apps Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-11 Buying guide · Returns # Best Shopify returns apps: choose the right workflow A clear return process. A decision that stays yours. Choose the best Shopify returns workflow around the customer experience, review steps and resolutions your store actually needs. By the FulfillRelay product team · Updated September 11, 2026 **In this guide** ## Our best fit: a focused returns portal with manual control FulfillRelay Returns is our best fit for a focused branded portal and a clear case-review workflow. Customers verify their order email; your team sees the reason, evidence and published rule result together. Optional AI can assist with evidence review. People approve, decline and confirm refunds. Start with a free plan and choose more monthly capacity as your needs grow. ## What should your returns workflow do? | Your priority | A fitting approach | The decision to make | | --- | --- | --- | | A branded portal and explicit case decisions | Focused returns management, such as FulfillRelay Returns | Portal verification, rule results, manual review and monthly volume | | Product exchanges and retained revenue | An exchange-led returns platform | Required exchange types, store-credit rules and total cost | | Start with your existing Shopify setup | Native customer-account returns | Whether the available customer entry and review steps meet your needs | | Complex shipping or warehouse operations | A returns platform built around your integrations | The exact carrier, warehouse and resolution support you need | - [Compare native returns and a dedicated workflow](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-native-returns-vs-returns-app) ## Start small. Choose more capacity when you need it. FulfillRelay Returns plans are separate from the supplier-routing app. Each tier includes a return-case allowance and an equal number of optional AI reviews. Prices below are USD per month; postage is separate. | Plan | USD / month | Cases / optional AI reviews per month | | --- | --- | --- | | Free | $0 | 5 / 5 | | Starter | $19 | 50 / 50 | | Growth | $49 | 300 / 300 | | Pro | $99 | 1,000 / 1,000 | - [See all Returns plan details](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/returns) ## What does a free returns plan actually include? FulfillRelay Returns Free includes 5 return cases and 5 optional AI reviews per month, with manual approval/decline and return-label PDF uploads. It is a way to try a small-volume workflow, not unlimited returns or free postage. For more volume, Starter includes 50 cases for $19, Growth 300 for $49 and Pro 1,000 for $99 USD per month. Each tier includes the same number of optional AI reviews. Shopify displays the current subscription terms. Compare total workflow cost, not the headline alone: plan limits, label costs and any separate tools your team still needs. Other providers’ current pricing is available at their own listings. ## See a return request move through review The real app walkthrough uses example data to show the verified portal, rule results, optional AI review and separate manual decisions. Approval authorizes the return step; it does not itself confirm a refund. Get started with FulfillRelay Returns. [Read the full transcript](https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#returns-start) ![FulfillRelay Returns case detail with review steps](https://fulfillrelay.com/assets/product-return-case.png) Example case in the actual Returns interface. - [See what the free portal includes](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/free-shopify-returns-portal) - [Follow the full manual review workflow](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-return-review-workflow) ## Choose based on five practical questions - Can customers find and complete the request without contacting support for every step? - Can your team understand the rule result and evidence in one place? - Do you need exchanges, store credit or a specific integration? Check these explicitly. - Are labels uploaded as PDFs, purchased through an integration, or handled outside the platform? - Can you see who decides, who receives the item and who authorizes the refund? ## When FulfillRelay Returns is your best fit Choose it when you want a focused customer returns workflow and prefer to keep decisions explicit. It runs separately from the FulfillRelay supplier-routing app, so no supplier relationship is required. If your operation depends on a complex exchange program, store-credit conversion or a particular carrier integration, evaluate tools designed for those requirements. A clear fit is more valuable than an unsupported promise. - [Explore FulfillRelay Returns](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) - [Follow the setup guide](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-returns-portal-setup) - [See the review workflow](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-return-review-workflow) FulfillRelay Returns ## Put the return request in one place. Start with a free plan for 5 return cases per month. Paid plans and current terms are shown in Shopify. [Explore Returns on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=best-shopify-returns-apps) [Explore the product](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/guides Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-11 The FulfillRelay field guide # One supplier. One return. Know what to do next. Follow an order from SKU mapping to tracking, or set up a customer returns portal. Start with the job you need to finish. [## Find suppliers or connect your own? Shopify workflow guide Choose between sourcing new products and routing orders to suppliers you already work with. Understand store ownership, exact SKU mapping and supplier handoffs. Read the guide →](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/supplier-marketplace-vs-order-routing) [## Send Shopify orders to your supplier without copy-and-paste Replace emailed order lists and spreadsheets with exact SKU mapping, supplier acceptance and tracking that returns to the original order. Learn what to settle first. Read the guide →](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/send-shopify-orders-to-supplier) [## Route Shopify orders to suppliers by SKU | FulfillRelay Follow a mixed-order example: map exact Shopify variants, route eligible paid lines to each supplier and keep unmapped items visible for review. Read the guide →](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing) [## Sync supplier tracking back to Shopify orders | FulfillRelay Follow tracking from a connected supplier’s Shopify fulfillment to the original retailer order. Check partial shipments, matched lines and exceptions. Read the guide →](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-supplier-tracking-sync) [## Free Shopify returns portal for small stores | FulfillRelay Returns Start a branded Shopify returns portal with 5 cases and 5 optional AI reviews per month. See manual decisions, PDF labels and when to upgrade. Read the guide →](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/free-shopify-returns-portal) [## Shopify multi-supplier fulfillment Connect known Shopify suppliers, map exact products and follow orders across independent stores. Read the guide →](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-multi-supplier-fulfillment) [## How to set up a Shopify returns portal Set up FulfillRelay Returns: publish return rules, share your branded portal, verify shoppers, review requests and handle labels with clear manual control. Read the guide →](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-returns-portal-setup) [## Shopify native returns vs a returns app: which fits your store? Compare Shopify’s built-in self-serve returns with FulfillRelay Returns. Choose based on customer access, review workflow, evidence, labels and real operating needs. Read the guide →](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-native-returns-vs-returns-app) [## A Shopify return review workflow with human control Review return rules, customer explanations and photos together. Learn where optional AI evidence review helps and why approval, labels and refunds stay separate. Read the guide →](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-return-review-workflow) [## Best Shopify supplier order routing apps for your workflow Choose between supplier sourcing, location routing and connected-store operations. Find the best fit for your existing relationships. Read the guide →](https://fulfillrelay.com/best-shopify-supplier-order-routing-apps) [## Best Shopify returns apps: choose the right workflow Compare Shopify returns options by fit: a simple branded portal with manual control, exchange-led workflows, broader returns operations, or Shopify native returns. Read the guide →](https://fulfillrelay.com/best-shopify-returns-apps) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/partners Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-11 Referral partnerships # Your merchant relationships. A shared opportunity. Help Shopify merchants find software that fits their operation. Earn a share of the paid subscriptions you refer. [Discuss a referral partnership](mailto:support@fulfillrelay.com?subject=FulfillRelay%20referral%20partnership&body=Company%20or%20creator%20name%3A%0AWebsite%20or%20channel%3A%0AShopify%20merchants%20you%20work%20with%3A%0AProduct%20of%20interest%20%28FulfillRelay%20%2F%20Returns%20%2F%20both%29%3A%0AHow%20you%20would%20introduce%20the%20product%3A%0AI%20am%20interested%20in%20a%20commission-only%20partnership%20based%20on%20paid%20subscriptions.%0A) ## Commission only. Built around paying customers. We work with Shopify agencies, independent consultants, educators and creators who can introduce the right merchants. Compensation is based on actual subscription revenue. We do not buy placements, pay setup fees or retain promoters on monthly service contracts. ## Two products. Two clear merchant needs. [FulfillRelay](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) connects retailers with suppliers they already know. Both businesses operate Shopify stores; approved item mappings route eligible paid order lines and synchronize tracking. [FulfillRelay Returns](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) gives a store a branded customer returns portal, published rules, optional AI evidence review and clear manual decisions. It is an independent app, with a free plan to start. ## Start with a fit conversation. 1. Tell us who you help and how you reach Shopify merchants. 2. We agree the commission rate, duration, referral registration and payment terms in writing before promotion. 3. Introduce suitable merchants using an agreed referral process. Paid subscriptions generate commission under that agreement. Free installs and trials do not generate commission. Refunded or reversed charges do not count as earned subscription revenue. ## Clear attribution, before the first introduction. Once we agree terms, we assign your referral code and confirm each merchant introduction in writing. Share only the merchant’s business website with their permission. We verify the app, installation and qualifying paid subscription against our records before calculating commission. Your link helps identify the referral channel. Clicks, free plans and trials do not establish a payable referral. The written agreement controls the commission rate, earning period, refunds and payment schedule. ## Ready-to-share product material Choose the product that fits your audience. Use the actual walkthrough and current plan details; disclose your referral relationship when recommending an app. - [Download the product and tutorial kit](https://fulfillrelay.com/partners/fulfillrelay-partner-kit.txt) - [Main: a mixed-order routing example](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing) - [Returns: a small-store portal walkthrough](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/free-shopify-returns-portal) ## Useful material for your first conversation - [Product walkthroughs](https://fulfillrelay.com/demo) - [Choosing a supplier order routing app](https://fulfillrelay.com/best-shopify-supplier-order-routing-apps) - [Choosing a returns app](https://fulfillrelay.com/best-shopify-returns-apps) - [Returns portal setup guide](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-returns-portal-setup) [Email our partnership team](mailto:support@fulfillrelay.com?subject=FulfillRelay%20referral%20partnership&body=Company%20or%20creator%20name%3A%0AWebsite%20or%20channel%3A%0AShopify%20merchants%20you%20work%20with%3A%0AProduct%20of%20interest%20%28FulfillRelay%20%2F%20Returns%20%2F%20both%29%3A%0AHow%20you%20would%20introduce%20the%20product%3A%0AI%20am%20interested%20in%20a%20commission-only%20partnership%20based%20on%20paid%20subscriptions.%0A) Already working with a merchant who may be a fit? Include their business website and the workflow they want to improve. Do not send customer records or order data. --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/compare Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-11 Find the right Shopify app # Need the full workflow? Or just your returns? FulfillRelay includes supplier routing, tracking and returns within plan limits. FulfillRelay Returns is the standalone option for customer returns. You do not need both. [Compare all prices →](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing) Find your fit ## Three quick questions. One clear answer. Tell us what you need and roughly how much. We suggest a plan from the real limits on our pricing pages. Nothing is stored. 1 What do you need most? **Send orders to suppliers** Route paid order lines and get tracking back. **Handle customer returns** A branded portal and one place to decide. **Both** Supplier orders and returns together. [Answer all the questions on this web page to receive a plan recommendation](https://fulfillrelay.com/compare#find-your-fit). Supplier operations + customer returns ## FulfillRelay Route orders. Track shipments. Handle returns. Retailers **from $49/month** Supplier Connect **free** · Supplier Pro $19/month For retailers who need supplier order routing, tracking and returns together, and the Shopify suppliers fulfilling their orders. - Route eligible paid order lines with approved SKU mappings. - Track supplier acceptance, payment status and fulfillment. - Manage customer returns and coordinate connected-supplier handling. [Install FulfillRelay ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=product-choice) [See order routing prices →](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing) [Explore order routing](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) Manage your own store’s customer returns ## FulfillRelay Returns Every return. A clear next step. Start **free** · 5 return cases/month Paid plans **$19 / $49 / $99 per month** For Shopify merchants who need a branded returns portal and one place to review customer requests. - Let customers submit requests, reasons and photo evidence. - Publish your rules and make clear manual decisions. - Upload carrier labels and keep customers informed. [Install Returns free ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=product-choice) [See Returns prices →](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/returns) [Explore customer returns](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) Side by side ## Compare features at a glance. | Feature | FulfillRelay | FulfillRelay Returns | | --- | --- | --- | | Route orders to suppliers | Available | Not included | | Map products to suppliers | Available | Not included | | Sync supplier tracking | Available | Not included | | Coordinate supplier returns | Available | Not included | | Customer returns portal | Available | Available | | Review and manage returns | Available | Available | | Optional AI review* | Available | Available | | Starting price | [$49/month](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing) Retailers · Suppliers free | [Free](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/returns) 5 cases/month | *AI review is optional and subject to plan limits. You control decisions and refunds. Return case limits vary by plan. ## Before you choose **Do I need both apps?** No. Pick the app for your workflow. Returns works independently for merchants who do not need supplier order routing. Main already includes a customer portal and store-handled returns as well as connected-supplier coordination. Check your Main plan limits before buying another subscription. **Does FulfillRelay find suppliers for me?** No. Bring a Shopify supplier you already work with. Agree your terms, connect both stores and approve the exact product mappings before routing orders. **Does the free Returns plan include free order routing?** No. The Returns free plan includes 5 customer return cases and 5 optional AI reviews per month. Retailer order routing belongs to the Main app and starts at $49 USD/month. Main Supplier Connect is free for the supplier role. --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-11 Simple, separate subscriptions # Pay for the workflow you need. FulfillRelay includes supplier routing, tracking and returns within plan limits. FulfillRelay Returns is the standalone option for customer returns. You do not need both. [Compare workflows and features →](https://fulfillrelay.com/compare) Find your fit ## Three quick questions. One clear answer. Tell us what you need and roughly how much. We suggest a plan from the real limits on our pricing pages. Nothing is stored. 1 What do you need most? **Send orders to suppliers** Route paid order lines and get tracking back. **Handle customer returns** A branded portal and one place to decide. **Both** Supplier orders and returns together. [Answer all the questions on this web page to receive a plan recommendation](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing#find-your-fit). Supplier operations + customer returns ## FulfillRelay Route orders. Track shipments. Handle returns. Retailers **from $49/month** Supplier Connect **free** · Supplier Pro $19/month For retailers who need supplier order routing, tracking and returns together, and the Shopify suppliers fulfilling their orders. - Route eligible paid order lines with approved SKU mappings. - Track supplier acceptance, payment status and fulfillment. - Manage customer returns and coordinate connected-supplier handling. [Install FulfillRelay ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=product-choice) [See order routing prices →](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing) [Explore order routing](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) Manage your own store’s customer returns ## FulfillRelay Returns Every return. A clear next step. Start **free** · 5 return cases/month Paid plans **$19 / $49 / $99 per month** For Shopify merchants who need a branded returns portal and one place to review customer requests. - Let customers submit requests, reasons and photo evidence. - Publish your rules and make clear manual decisions. - Upload carrier labels and keep customers informed. [Install Returns free ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=product-choice) [See Returns prices →](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/returns) [Explore customer returns](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) ## All plans at a glance FulfillRelay · Retailers ### Launch $49 · Growth $149 · Scale $399 USD / month. Annual options: $490 / $1,490 / $3,990. [Routed lines, supplier limits and inclusions →](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing) FulfillRelay · Suppliers ### Supplier Connect free · Supplier Pro $19 USD / month. Supplier Pro annual option: $190. [Compare supplier plans →](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing) FulfillRelay Returns ### Free $0 · Starter $19 · Growth $49 · Pro $99 USD / month. 5 / 50 / 300 / 1,000 return cases respectively. [Compare return case and AI review limits →](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/returns) Each store manages its own app subscription in Shopify. These are separate products; installing one does not subscribe you to the other. --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-11 Simple, separate subscriptions # FulfillRelay pricing. FulfillRelay connects independent retailer and supplier stores. Choose the plan for your role and monthly volume. [Looking for Returns pricing? →](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/returns) ### For retailers Choose by routed order lines and supplier connections. Retailer plan ### Launch $49 USD / month or $490 USD / year, billed annually - **2,000** routed order lines / month - **5** supplier connections - Approved SKU mappings & tracking sync - 50 return cases / month - 100 optional AI return reviews / month - 2 team members [View Launch on Shopify ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=pricing-launch) Retailer plan ### Growth $149 USD / month or $1,490 USD / year, billed annually - **10,000** routed order lines / month - **25** supplier connections - Approved SKU mappings & tracking sync - 300 return cases / month - 1,000 optional AI return reviews / month - 5 team members [View Growth on Shopify ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=pricing-growth) Retailer plan ### Scale $399 USD / month or $3,990 USD / year, billed annually - **50,000** routed order lines / month - **Unlimited** supplier connections - Approved SKU mappings & tracking sync - 1,000 return cases / month - 10,000 optional AI return reviews / month - 15 team members [View Scale on Shopify ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=pricing-scale) ### For suppliers Each supplier manages its own subscription. Supplier plan ### Supplier Connect Free · $0 / month Connect retailers, approve exact supplier SKUs, receive orders and return tracking. [Start with Supplier Connect ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=pricing-supplier-connect) Supplier plan ### Supplier Pro $19 USD / month or $190 USD / year, billed annually Add ShipStation return-label rates and purchases, warehouse and spending controls, and 1,000 optional AI return reviews per month. [Explore Supplier Pro ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=pricing-supplier-pro) All prices in USD. Paid plans offer a 14-day trial; eligibility and final billing terms appear in Shopify. Product purchases and supplier shipping charges are separate from software subscriptions. Return-label purchases require confirmation and are charged separately by your carrier or ShipStation. Only need customer returns for your own store? [See separate FulfillRelay Returns plans →](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/returns) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/returns Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-11 Simple, separate subscriptions # FulfillRelay Returns pricing. FulfillRelay Returns is your store’s dedicated returns app. Start with 5 cases a month, then grow when you need to. [Looking for order routing pricing? →](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing) Returns plan ### Free $0 USD / month - **5** return cases / month - **5** optional AI reviews / month - Branded customer portal - Manual approval & decline - Return-label PDF uploads [Start free on Shopify ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=pricing-free) Returns plan ### Starter $19 USD / month - **50** return cases / month - **50** optional AI reviews / month - Branded customer portal - Manual approval & decline - Return-label PDF uploads [View Starter on Shopify ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=pricing-starter) Returns plan ### Growth $49 USD / month - **300** return cases / month - **300** optional AI reviews / month - Branded customer portal - Manual approval & decline - Return-label PDF uploads [View Growth on Shopify ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=pricing-growth) Returns plan ### Pro $99 USD / month - **1,000** return cases / month - **1,000** optional AI reviews / month - Branded customer portal - Manual approval & decline - Return-label PDF uploads [View Pro on Shopify ↗](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=pricing-pro) Paid plans are billed in USD every 30 days through Shopify. AI reviews provide suggestions; you make the decision and confirm any refund. Obtain return-label PDFs from your carrier before uploading them. Need orders routed between retailer and supplier stores? [See FulfillRelay order routing plans →](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-11 Supplier operations · Worked example # Route Shopify orders to suppliers by SKU | FulfillRelay Route each eligible paid order line to the supplier responsible for that exact product. FulfillRelay connects retailers with existing suppliers who each run their own Shopify store. By the FulfillRelay product team · Updated September 11, 2026 **In this guide** ## When SKU-based supplier routing fits Use this workflow when you already know your suppliers and want each business to keep its own Shopify store. Both parties install FulfillRelay and confirm their connection. Supplier discovery and a warehouse location inside your own store are different problems. ## One customer order, three different decisions Illustrative example, not a customer performance result: a shopper buys three different items. Each order line is evaluated independently. | Customer order line | Approved mapping | Expected handoff | | --- | --- | --- | | Blue T-shirt, size M | Supplier A, exact variant and agreed price | Only this eligible line goes to Supplier A | | White mug, 350 ml | Supplier B, exact variant and agreed price | Only this eligible line goes to Supplier B | | Gift wrap | No supplier mapping | Remains visible for attention; not sent to either supplier | ## Approve the exact variant before routing Match the retailer variant to the supplier’s exact product variant, including size or color. The supplier confirms the SKU, price and currency. A similar product name is not a substitute for an approved mapping. Review any unmapped or changed items before expanding your connections. The retailer’s sale price and the supplier’s agreed settlement price are separate. ![FulfillRelay exact product and supplier SKU mapping](https://fulfillrelay.com/marketing/product-sku-mapping.png) Product matching in FulfillRelay. Confirm the exact supplier variant and terms. ## Follow the setup in the real app This walkthrough uses example data in the real interface. Connect one supplier, approve one mapping and follow one eligible order before increasing volume. Get started with FulfillRelay. [Read the full transcript](https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#main-start) ## What to check on your first order Check the product variant, quantity and agreed supplier price against the source order. Confirm that each supplier receives only its own lines. Follow acceptance and fulfillment, then check tracking on the retailer’s original order. Processing is asynchronous. Check the displayed state and exceptions before treating a handoff as complete. Supplier acceptance, supplier payment and retailer customer payments are separate steps. - [Download the free supplier setup checklist](https://fulfillrelay.com/resources/supplier-routing-checklist.txt) - [How supplier tracking returns](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-supplier-tracking-sync) - [Compare retailer and supplier plans](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing) - [Compare routing approaches](https://fulfillrelay.com/best-shopify-supplier-order-routing-apps) FulfillRelay ## Put the supplier workflow into practice. Connect a supplier you already work with. Retailer plans start at $49 USD/month; Supplier Connect is free. [Explore FulfillRelay on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=shopify-sku-order-routing) [Explore the product](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) [Bring your supplier in](https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-supplier-tracking-sync Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-11 Supplier operations · Tracking # Sync supplier tracking back to Shopify orders | FulfillRelay FulfillRelay connects the supplier’s fulfillment to the retailer’s original order through the routed order lines. Each store keeps its own role while the retailer follows the handoff. By the FulfillRelay product team · Updated September 11, 2026 **In this guide** ## How tracking gets back to the retailer Start with an approved product mapping and an eligible paid order line. The connected supplier receives the routed order in its own Shopify store, accepts it and records fulfillment. FulfillRelay synchronizes tracking back to the retailer’s original order. A supplier payment record is not shipment evidence. The fulfillment and tracking state must also be checked. ## Check a partial shipment by line and quantity Illustrative example: an order contains a shirt from Supplier A and a mug from Supplier B. Supplier A ships first. Check the shirt’s fulfilled quantity and tracking; do not assume the mug shipped because one package has a tracking number. | Checkpoint | What to verify | | --- | --- | | Source order | Which original line and quantity the supplier order represents | | Supplier fulfillment | Which items actually shipped and the recorded tracking | | Retailer order | The correct line, quantity and tracking after synchronization | | Remaining work | Unfulfilled items, unmapped items or synchronization exceptions | ## If tracking is not visible yet Check that the supplier recorded fulfillment on the connected supplier order, that the intended quantity was fulfilled and that the tracking information exists there. Then inspect the retailer order and the app’s current workflow status. Background processing can take time. Avoid creating a second supplier order just to try to make tracking appear. Resolve the existing order’s visible exception or ask support to investigate the existing handoff. - [Open the support guide](https://fulfillrelay.com/help) - [Contact FulfillRelay support](https://fulfillrelay.com/contact) ## Watch supplier fulfillment and tracking The setup walkthrough shows the order handoff and tracking in the real app interface with example data. Get started with FulfillRelay. [Read the full transcript](https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#main-start) - [Set up exact SKU routing](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing) - [Explore FulfillRelay](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) FulfillRelay ## Put the supplier workflow into practice. Connect a supplier you already work with. Retailer plans start at $49 USD/month; Supplier Connect is free. [Explore FulfillRelay on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=shopify-supplier-tracking-sync) [Explore the product](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) [Bring your supplier in](https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/free-shopify-returns-portal Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-11 Returns · Small-store guide # Free Shopify returns portal for small stores | FulfillRelay Returns FulfillRelay Returns has a free plan with 5 return cases and 5 optional AI reviews each month. It gives a small Shopify store a branded customer entry and a focused review workflow. By the FulfillRelay product team · Updated September 11, 2026 **In this guide** ## What you get on the free plan Customers open your portal and verify access with a code sent to their order email before submitting an item, reason and evidence. Your team reviews the published rule results and makes the decision. You can approve or decline manually, use optional AI advice within the allowance and upload a carrier-prepared return-label PDF. The app works independently of FulfillRelay supplier routing. ![Branded FulfillRelay Returns customer portal](https://fulfillrelay.com/assets/product-portal.png) Example branded customer entry in FulfillRelay Returns. ## Choose a plan by monthly return cases Prices are USD per month. The plan allowance counts return cases; optional AI reviews have their own equal-sized allowance. Labels and carrier postage are separate. | Plan | Monthly subscription | Return cases / optional AI reviews | | --- | --- | --- | | Free | $0 | 5 / 5 | | Starter | $19 | 50 / 50 | | Growth | $49 | 300 / 300 | | Pro | $99 | 1,000 / 1,000 | - [Download the free returns review checklist](https://fulfillrelay.com/resources/returns-review-checklist.txt) - [Read full Returns plan details](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/returns) ## A first request, with a person making each decision Illustrative workflow: a customer verifies their order email and submits a request with photos. You inspect the reason, evidence and rule result, then approve or decline. If approved, handle return shipping and record receipt of the item. Review and confirm any refund separately. An AI suggestion is advisory. A rule result or an approved return does not itself prove that money has been refunded. Get started with FulfillRelay Returns. [Read the full transcript](https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#returns-start) ## When to start here, and when to compare alternatives Start here if you need a focused verified portal and case review for low volume. Move to a paid plan when your monthly allowance needs increase. If you need an exchange-led retention program, store credit or a particular carrier integration, compare those requirements directly before choosing a tool. The free plan is not unlimited returns or free shipping. - [Compare Shopify returns apps](https://fulfillrelay.com/best-shopify-returns-apps) - [Compare native Shopify returns](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-native-returns-vs-returns-app) - [Set up your portal](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-returns-portal-setup) FulfillRelay Returns ## Put the return request in one place. Start with a free plan for 5 return cases per month. Paid plans and current terms are shown in Shopify. [Explore Returns on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=free-shopify-returns-portal) [Explore the product](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/supplier-marketplace-vs-order-routing Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-11 Supplier operations · Choosing a workflow # Find suppliers or connect your own? Shopify workflow guide Finding a product to sell and getting an order to the right supplier are different jobs. Start with the relationship you already have, then choose the workflow that supports it. By the FulfillRelay product team · Updated September 11, 2026 **In this guide** ## When you need products and supplier discovery A sourcing catalog or marketplace helps you explore products and available suppliers. Evaluate product quality, supply terms, delivery coverage and how the chosen service handles ordering. The supplier relationship is part of the selection process. ## When you already know your suppliers If your retailer store and existing suppliers each use Shopify, FulfillRelay connects those independent stores. Agree the exact product variant, supplier price and currency, then route eligible paid lines to the appropriate supplier. The suppliers are already yours. Connect the work: approvals, orders, tracking and supplier-related returns. - [See an exact SKU routing example](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing) ## Three questions that clarify the choice | Question | Why it matters | | --- | --- | | Do you need a new supplier or a better handoff? | Discovery and order routing solve different problems | | Does each supplier operate its own Shopify store? | FulfillRelay connects Shopify stores; it is not a generic email dispatch tool | | Who approves products, accepts orders and records tracking? | A clear responsibility for each step makes the workflow easier to operate | ## Follow a connected-store workflow See the actual FulfillRelay interface with example data. Start with one supplier and one mapped item. Get started with FulfillRelay. [Read the full transcript](https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#main-start) - [Explore FulfillRelay](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) - [See retailer and supplier pricing](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing) - [Choose your best-fit routing workflow](https://fulfillrelay.com/best-shopify-supplier-order-routing-apps) FulfillRelay ## Put the supplier workflow into practice. Connect a supplier you already work with. Retailer plans start at $49 USD/month; Supplier Connect is free. [Explore FulfillRelay on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=supplier-marketplace-vs-order-routing) [Explore the product](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) [Bring your supplier in](https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/before-you-install Source sitemap last modified: 2026-10-10 Before you install # Before you install. Is it right for your store? What happens next? What happens to your data? Answers come from how the apps and our privacy policy work. Is it right for your store? ## Know the fit before you install. The quickest way to avoid a wrong install is to be clear about who each app is for, and who it is not for. ### FulfillRelay Retailers and suppliers who both use Shopify #### Good fit - You sell on Shopify and already work with a supplier who also uses Shopify. - You have agreed product, shipping and returns terms with that supplier. - You want each supplier order tied to an exact product, price and currency. - You want tracking to come back to the original customer order. #### Probably not for you - You want FulfillRelay to find suppliers for you. It does not. - Your supplier does not use Shopify. Each business needs its own Shopify store. - You want items sent without an approved match. Unmatched items stay visible for review and are not sent. [See how FulfillRelay works](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) ### FulfillRelay Returns Any Shopify store that handles its own customer returns #### Good fit - You run a Shopify store and handle your own customer returns. - You want customers to send order details, reasons and photos in one branded place. - You want to review each request against your own written rules. - You are happy to make approvals and confirm refunds yourself. #### Probably not for you - You want returns approved or refunded automatically. AI only suggests. - You need supplier order routing. Returns does not include it; FulfillRelay does. - You expect Returns to buy shipping labels. You upload return-label PDFs from your carrier. [See how FulfillRelay Returns works](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) Still unsure? [Compare the two apps side by side](https://fulfillrelay.com/compare). What happens next ## Four steps from install to your first result. A first successful setup is one real order or one real return that you can follow from start to finish. ### FulfillRelay 1. **Agree terms with your supplier** Product, shipping and returns terms are between you and the supplier you already work with. 2. **Connect both stores** The retailer and the supplier each install FulfillRelay in their own Shopify store and confirm the connection. 3. **Approve exact item matches** Match each product to the supplier’s exact item. Anything unmatched stays visible as needing attention. 4. **Follow the first order** One approved, paid order line appears in the supplier’s store. Follow it until tracking returns to your original order. ### FulfillRelay Returns 1. **Install from Shopify** Start on the free plan: 5 return cases and 5 optional AI reviews a month. 2. **Publish your return rules** Set the rules customers see and your team reviews each request against. 3. **Customers send a request** They verify their order email, then submit reasons, notes and photos through your portal. 4. **You review and decide** Approve or decline, upload a carrier label, and confirm any Shopify refund yourself. Billing runs through Shopify, and final plan availability and terms appear there. [See all plans](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing). Your data, your decisions ## What FulfillRelay does with your data. Four commitments you can check against our [privacy policy](https://fulfillrelay.com/privacy). ### Your store stays yours Each business works in its own Shopify store. There is no shared staff login, and the connection shares only the order and workflow information that relationship needs. ### You make the call AI suggestions are optional. You approve or decline each return, and you confirm any refund yourself. ### No card numbers, no wallet Supplier purchases are paid through the supplier’s Shopify checkout. FulfillRelay does not store card numbers, hold your money or operate a wallet. ### Customer data is not for sale We do not sell customer data or use it for targeted advertising. You can uninstall through Shopify at any time. ## What we process, and why. Summarized from the privacy policy last updated September 6, 2026. The policy is the controlling document. Shopify’s install screen and our App Store listing list the data categories an app can request access to. They describe what the app is permitted to read or edit. What we actually process, and why, is below. ### Store, installation and subscription data Why Run the app and Shopify billing. How it is handled Handled through Shopify. ### Orders, line items, fulfillment, tracking and returns Why Route eligible paid orders, confirm tracking and handle returns. How it is handled Scoped to your store or the supplier connection you approve. ### Order email on a return Why Verify the customer who starts a return and send a short-lived access code. How it is handled Stored as a hashed email match and hashed one-time code, not the plain order email. ### Shipping information Why Needed only while an order is actively fulfilled. How it is handled Encrypted. Scheduled for deletion 90 days after the latest eligible order ingestion. ### Supplier organization, member email and invitations Why Give suppliers access to their connection. How it is handled Used for supplier access only. ### Support messages and security events Why Help you and keep the service safe. How it is handled Kept for bounded periods. Some audit and transaction-evidence records may be retained for security, disputes or legal needs. When AI is involved ## AI reviews only run when you ask. If you enable and request an AI evidence review, we send the configured provider the relevant return photos and limited case information: the item description, return reason, submitted notes, attachment details, your return rules and rule-check results. We may also include counts and rates from your previous return decisions. We filter common contact details and identifiers from text. Photos can still contain personal information a customer included. **AI produces summaries and suggestions.** You make the return decision, and you confirm any refund as a separate action. ## Who helps us run the service. Providers are used to operate the service. They may process information in countries outside your own, under their contractual safeguards. - **Shopify**Commerce platform and app billing - **Vercel**Application hosting - **Neon**PostgreSQL database hosting - **Resend**Service email - **Clerk**Employee-console sign-in - **Anthropic or OpenAI**Return-evidence review, only when a merchant enables and requests it ## Your controls. - **Uninstall through Shopify.** Shopify privacy webhooks are used for customer data requests and for shop or customer redaction. - **Ask us directly.** Email [support@fulfillrelay.com](mailto:support@fulfillrelay.com) about access, correction, deletion or privacy questions. - **Shoppers who bought from you.** If you are a customer of a store using FulfillRelay, contact that store first. It controls your order. Read the full [privacy policy](https://fulfillrelay.com/privacy) and [terms](https://fulfillrelay.com/terms). Published by Boreal Meridian Commerce Inc. --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier Source sitemap last modified: 2026-10-10 For retailers # Bring your supplier along in one email. FulfillRelay connects two Shopify stores, so your supplier installs the free Supplier Connect side and keeps working in its own store. Here is what to send, what they will ask and what happens next. [Get the email](https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier#email) [Preview the page your supplier will see](https://fulfillrelay.com/for-suppliers) **Email to your supplier** Replace the bracketed parts before you send. Subject Connecting our Shopify stores for order handoffs ```text Hi [Supplier name], I'd like to send our paid orders for your products to you through FulfillRelay instead of email or spreadsheets. FulfillRelay connects our two Shopify stores. You keep working in your own store: your catalog, prices and fulfillment decisions stay with you, and neither of us needs a staff login to the other's store. Supplier Connect is free for you. Here is a short overview for suppliers: https://fulfillrelay.com/for-suppliers If you're open to it, we'll connect our stores and confirm the exact items and prices together before any order is sent. Thanks, [Your name] [Your store] ``` Open in my email app ## What your supplier does 1. ### Connect their store Install FulfillRelay on the supplier Shopify store and confirm your retailer relationship. Each business keeps separate access. 2. ### Confirm the exact items Approve each mapping against their own catalog variants. Their store provides the supplier price and currency. 3. ### Accept and fulfill Receive the ready order lines, accept or reject the work, and fulfill from their own Shopify order records. ## What suppliers ask first. What does it cost me? Supplier Connect is free. Supplier Pro is an optional $19 USD per month plan with additional features. Your retailer chooses a separate retailer plan, and each business manages its own app subscription in Shopify. Does the retailer get into my Shopify admin? No. A shared staff login is not needed. Each business works from its own store, and the connection shares the order and workflow information that relationship needs. Who sets the price? You do. You approve each retailer item against your own catalog variants, and your store provides the supplier price and currency. Unmatched items are not sent to you. How do I get paid for the products? The retailer pays through your Shopify checkout. FulfillRelay records payment evidence for the orders it covers. It does not hold money or card details. Does this bring me new retailers? No. FulfillRelay coordinates the relationship you already have. It does not promise new retailers or buy your stock. Can I turn an order down? Yes. You can accept or reject the work, then fulfill from your own Shopify order records. Tracking saved in Shopify goes back to the retailer. ## Your side You install FulfillRelay on your own store and pick a retailer plan. Retailer plans start at $49 USD per month with a 14-day free trial, subject to Shopify eligibility. Billing runs through Shopify. [Install FulfillRelay](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=invite-supplier) [See retailer plans](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing) **Supplier not on Shopify?** Both sides need a Shopify store to connect. Read [how a marketplace differs from order routing](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/supplier-marketplace-vs-order-routing) before you decide. --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/send-shopify-orders-to-supplier Source sitemap last modified: 2026-10-10 Supplier operations · Getting started # Send Shopify orders to your supplier without copy-and-paste If you send each supplier order by email, a spreadsheet or a pasted list, one wrong variant or one missed line turns into a refund and a late parcel. This guide covers what to settle with your supplier first, how a routed order moves between two Shopify stores and what to check on the first one. By the FulfillRelay product team · Updated October 10, 2026 **In this guide** ## Where copy-and-paste breaks The failures are rarely dramatic. A size is typed wrong. One line of a mixed order is left out. Nobody can say which version of the list the supplier worked from. Tracking arrives in an email thread and then has to be copied back to the customer order by hand. Each one is a small fix, but they repeat with every order, and the cost lands on the customer who waits. ## Settle four things before you automate - The supplier uses Shopify. FulfillRelay connects two Shopify stores, so each side installs the app in its own store. - The exact supplier item for each product you sell, including size and colour. Routing works from approved, exact SKU mappings. - Who sets the supplier price and currency. The supplier confirms it in its own store. Your customer selling price is not sent on the supplier order. - How you pay. The retailer pays through the supplier's Shopify checkout. FulfillRelay records payment evidence and does not hold money. - [Bring your supplier in with a ready-to-send email](https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier) ## How a routed order moves between the two stores | Step | What happens | | --- | --- | | 1. Map | You propose a supplier SKU for a product variant. The supplier selects the exact variant and confirms the price. | | 2. Approve | Once both sides approve, the item can be routed. Unmatched items stay visible and are not sent. | | 3. Route | An eligible paid order line goes to the supplier's own Shopify store. Orders and quantities already routed are not duplicated. | | 4. Accept | The supplier accepts or rejects the work on a focused workboard, without access to your store admin. | | 5. Ship | The supplier fulfills from its own Shopify order records. Tracking saved in Shopify is relayed back. | | 6. Check | Tracking appears on your original order against the right lines and quantities. | FulfillRelay: supplier orders and customer returns. [Read the full transcript](https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#tour) ## What to check on the first order - The mapped item matches the supplier's exact variant. - The routed quantity equals what the customer bought, line by line. - The supplier can see the order and has accepted it. - Tracking shows against the same lines on your order. For partial shipments, follow the tracking guide. - [Walk through a mixed-order routing example](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing) - [Check tracking and partial shipments](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-supplier-tracking-sync) ## When this is not the right tool FulfillRelay connects suppliers you already work with. It does not find suppliers, list their products or buy stock for you. If you are still looking for suppliers, start with the marketplace comparison first. If your supplier does not use Shopify, the two stores cannot connect, so FulfillRelay will not fit that relationship yet. - [Find suppliers or connect your own?](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/supplier-marketplace-vs-order-routing) - [See retailer plans and the 14-day trial](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing) FulfillRelay ## Put the supplier workflow into practice. Connect a supplier you already work with. Retailer plans start at $49 USD/month; Supplier Connect is free. [Explore FulfillRelay on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=send-shopify-orders-to-supplier) [Explore the product](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) [Bring your supplier in](https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/blog Source sitemap last modified: 2026-10-12T15:03:01.956Z FulfillRelay Blog # For the orders that need a closer look. Checklists for split shipments, supplier stockouts, return inspections and the customer questions that follow. [Looking for setup instructions? Browse the guides →](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides) [![Illustrative holiday budget: 600 one-parcel orders plus 400 two-parcel orders create 1,400 parcels. At an assumed USD $0.55 increase per parcel, the seasonal increment is $770; counting only 1,000 orders gives $550 and leaves a $220 gap.](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog-media/usps-holiday-rates-2026-supplier-split-shipment-budget/parcel-budget.svg) Merchant operations ## USPS Holiday Rates 2026: Budget for Supplier Split Shipments Plan 2026 USPS holiday shipping costs by parcel count, with a split-supplier budget example and ways to evaluate free-shipping offers on Shopify. FulfillRelay Team · October 12, 2026 Read article →](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/usps-holiday-rates-2026-supplier-split-shipment-budget) [![Four-step customer tracking handoff: check the supplier shipment, match the original retailer order, choose an order status or carrier tracking link, and test the customer's access.](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog-media/shopify-order-status-links-supplier-tracking-checks/customer-tracking-flow.svg) Shopify operations ## Shopify Order Status Links: Supplier Tracking Checks Check Shopify order status links for supplier shipments, customer email templates and sign-in or verification paths with a controlled tracking handoff test. FulfillRelay Team · October 11, 2026 Read article →](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-order-status-links-supplier-tracking-checks) [![Diagram for comparing a customer's return request deadline with a supplier's acceptance deadline. Identify the applicable Shopify rule, check final sale, then use the shortest matching override or the base window when none matches. Confirm each clock's starting event and allow time for labels and return transit. Market-specific rules are early access; consumer obligations need separate review.](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog-media/shopify-return-window-overrides-supplier-checks/return-window-flow.svg) Shopify industry updates ## Shopify Return Window Overrides: Check Supplier Deadlines Check Shopify return window overrides against supplier deadlines. Review overlapping rules, split deliveries and the customer return request process. FulfillRelay Team · October 10, 2026 Read article →](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-return-window-overrides-supplier-checks) [![Four checks for a supplier catalog change: save the product baseline, approved matches and open orders; review affected fields and variants; confirm the current exact match in both stores after import; then check existing instructions and a supported test before expanding. Keep unclear matches assigned for review.](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog-media/shopify-product-csv-import-supplier-variant-mappings/catalog-mapping-flow.svg) Shopify operations ## Shopify Product CSV Imports: Check Supplier Variant Mappings Check Shopify product CSV imports against supplier variant mappings. Review changed IDs, blank fields and open orders before relying on the next handoff. FulfillRelay Team · October 9, 2026 Read article →](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-product-csv-import-supplier-variant-mappings) [![Five supplier stock checks: identify the variant and shipping location; verify current sellable stock; confirm your allocation and outstanding orders; review selling controls; record the decision, owner and recheck time.](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog-media/shopify-supplier-stockout-availability-checks/supplier-stock-availability-flow.svg) Shopify operations ## Shopify Supplier Stockouts: Checks Before Selling More Check Shopify supplier stockouts with variant-level availability, supplier allocation and selling controls before accepting more customer orders. FulfillRelay Team · October 7, 2026 Read article →](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-supplier-stockout-availability-checks) [![Check the parcel and handover evidence, then assign supplier dispatch, carrier follow-up or tracking correction.](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog-media/shopify-supplier-tracking-label-created-checklist/tracking-handover-flow.svg) Shopify operations ## Shopify Supplier Tracking Stuck at Label Created: A Checklist Check supplier tracking stuck at Label Created on Shopify: confirm the active label, verify carrier handover and assign a clear next action for the shipment. FulfillRelay Team · October 6, 2026 Read article →](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-supplier-tracking-label-created-checklist) [![Six supplier shipping checks, from the active shipping system to resolving and retesting mismatches.](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog-media/shopify-market-driven-shipping-supplier-checks/shipping-readiness-flow.svg) Shopify industry updates ## Shopify Market-Driven Shipping: Checks for Supplier Orders Check Shopify market-driven shipping for supplier orders with rate rules, mixed-cart tests and comparisons between checkout charges and supplier shipping costs. FulfillRelay Team · October 5, 2026 Read article →](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-market-driven-shipping-supplier-checks) [Shopify operations ## Shopify Return Inspection Checklist Before Refunds and Restocking Inspect Shopify returns with item and quantity checks, partial-receipt follow-ups, and separate refund and restock decisions before closing the case. FulfillRelay Team · October 3, 2026 Read article →](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-return-inspection-refund-restock-checklist) [Shopify industry updates ## Shopify Batch Fulfillment Checks Before Holiday Shipping Review Shopify batch fulfillment before holiday shipping with checks for eligibility, barcode scans, package details and independent supplier workflows. FulfillRelay Team · October 2, 2026 Read article →](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-batch-fulfillment-holiday-shipping-checks) [Shopify operations ## Missing Items in a Shopify Order and Split Shipments Handle missing-item reports on Shopify with item and quantity checks, split-shipment triage, supplier follow-ups and clear customer update examples. FulfillRelay Team · October 1, 2026 Read article →](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-missing-item-split-shipment-checklist) [Shopify operations ## AI Chat and Supplier Fulfillment on Shopify: A Practical Workflow Plan a Shopify workflow that connects customer questions with supplier handoffs and accurate order updates, with checks before you launch. FulfillRelay Team · September 30, 2026 Read article →](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/ai-chat-and-supplier-fulfillment-on-shopify) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/usps-holiday-rates-2026-supplier-split-shipment-budget Published: 2026-10-12T15:03:01.956Z Updated: 2026-10-12T15:03:01.956Z [← Blog](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog) Merchant operations # USPS Holiday Rates 2026: Budget for Supplier Split Shipments USPS's temporary 2026 holiday prices are now in effect. Postal Explorer lists final price files for the period from October 4, 2026 to January 17, 2027. [1] For a Shopify retailer whose suppliers ship U.S. domestic parcels, the useful budgeting question is how many parcels those customer orders will produce, and which shipping costs the retailer will pay. A checkout can collect one shipping charge while two suppliers each send a parcel. Build the holiday budget around the expected physical shipments and agreed supplier charges. Then decide whether to absorb the increase, adjust a customer shipping offer or change the mix of products in a promotion. By [FulfillRelay Team](https://fulfillrelay.com/about) · Published October 12, 2026 **In this article** ## Read the price for the parcel your supplier will ship Use the current service, price category, origin, destination, weight and package details. USPS publishes separate retail and commercial tables, so a retail counter price is a poor stand-in for a supplier's commercial postage or its all-in shipping quote. [2] One concrete example: the final October table lists a two-pound USPS Ground Advantage commercial parcel to Zone 5 at $10.50. The July 12, 2026 price file lists the same entry at $9.95. That is a $0.55 increase in the published weight-based postage price. [2, 3] It is an example for that entry, not a universal surcharge or a quote from Shopify or your supplier. All dollar amounts here are USD. Keep the rate category intact when comparing prices. A cubic price, a different service or a parcel subject to additional fees needs its own comparison. USPS's Ground Advantage table also specifies dimensional-weight pricing for parcels over one cubic foot, using the greater of actual and dimensional weight. [2] Ask for the package your supplier actually uses rather than estimating from the product's unpacked weight alone. ![Illustrative holiday budget: 600 one-parcel orders plus 400 two-parcel orders create 1,400 parcels. At an assumed USD $0.55 increase per parcel, the seasonal increment is $770; counting only 1,000 orders gives $550 and leaves a $220 gap.](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog-media/usps-holiday-rates-2026-supplier-split-shipment-budget/parcel-budget.svg) Illustrative forecast, with the same $0.55 increase assumed for every parcel. The input reflects the published July-to-October difference for a two-pound USPS Ground Advantage commercial parcel to Zone 5. It is not a universal surcharge or supplier quote. This estimate excludes base postage and other costs. ## Turn order volume into parcel volume Consider an illustrative forecast of 1,000 customer orders. Assume 600 orders produce one parcel each and 400 produce two parcels each. Also assume every parcel has a $0.55 seasonal increase, using the price difference above as the scenario input. These are invented planning quantities, not merchant results. - 600 one-parcel orders produce 600 parcels - 400 two-parcel orders produce 800 parcels - The total is 1,400 parcels, or 1.4 parcels per customer order The incremental postage budget is 1,400 × $0.55 = $770. Counting only customer orders would produce 1,000 × $0.55 = $550, leaving $220 unbudgeted. The average seasonal increment is $0.77 per customer order in this scenario. This $770 covers only the assumed seasonal change. It excludes the underlying postage, packaging, supplier handling, returns and other expenses. If the suppliers absorb the increase or their agreed prices do not change, the retailer's incremental cost will differ. For a real forecast, group parcels by supplier, service, destination zone and relevant weight or size band. Multiply each group's expected parcel count by its confirmed increase, then add the groups. Use a single average only when it reflects that mix. Include replacement or return shipments separately when your store expects to fund them; do not quietly treat every customer order as exactly one outbound parcel. ## Keep checkout revenue and supplier shipping costs visible Shopify's shipping rates determine what customers pay at checkout. They can be flat, free or carrier-calculated. [4] Your supplier's charge is another part of the calculation, governed by the terms you have agreed. Compare three amounts for the same order: - Shipping revenue collected from the customer after any discount - Shipping and handling charged by every supplier involved - Any additional label or packing cost your own team pays If a supplier price already includes shipping, account for that cost once within the supplier purchase. Do not add an estimated postage line again. If the invoice combines goods and shipping without a breakdown, record that limitation before calling the difference a shipping margin. To estimate order contribution, subtract supplier goods, shipping and other variable costs from merchandise revenue plus shipping revenue. Define the costs consistently so two product groups can be compared fairly. A shipping-only gap leaves out costs needed to judge the whole order. With everything else unchanged, the scenario's $0.77 increase reduces contribution by $0.77 per order. If you are changing the checkout configuration itself, our [market-driven shipping article](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-market-driven-shipping-supplier-checks) explains the different ways Shopify can combine rates. Use the observed checkout result in the budget rather than assuming it equals the suppliers' total cost. ## Choose a response that fits the affected carts Shopify's shipping-strategy guide explains the trade-off: flat rates need cost estimates, free shipping needs funding elsewhere, and carrier-calculated rates depend on accurate shipment details. [5] A seasonal increase can therefore lead to different decisions for different carts. Absorbing the increase may suit an offer with enough contribution remaining. Put the expected subsidy into the promotion budget, including the likely parcel mix. A customer shipping charge can also help cover costs, but base any change on the full shipping forecast and the customer experience you intend to offer. Review free-shipping thresholds using actual product combinations. A higher-value mixed-supplier cart can still create another full postage charge. The added item's contribution needs to cover that extra shipment and other added costs, not just the temporary $0.55 in the example. Raising the threshold without examining the carts that cross it can leave the same cost problem in place. Merchandising offers another option to investigate. A promotion built from products one supplier can pack together may have a different parcel cost from a cross-supplier bundle. Confirm the supplier's packing arrangement, available stock and shipping quote first. Two items from the same supplier can still require separate packages. ## Refresh the forecast from actual charges Ask each shipping supplier whether its current quote includes the temporary rate change, packaging and handling. Confirm the service, destination coverage and the date on which its quote will be reviewed. Compare on the same currency and tax basis. A current quote may already include the holiday adjustment; adding it again would overstate costs. After the first holiday orders ship, compare the expected parcel mix with the actual packages and charges. If more orders split than planned, revise that assumption before scaling the promotion. Investigate price differences using the actual parcel details, keeping a changed package size separate from a seasonal price increase. Postal Explorer gives this change an end date in January. [1] Use that as a point to obtain fresh rates and supplier quotes, rather than assuming every shipping cost will return to its previous amount. A useful holiday budget follows the costs your store actually pays: parcels, agreed supplier charges and the customer shipping offer together. ## Sources Sources checked October 12, 2026. USPS figures are published postage-table examples; obtain current quotes for the actual parcels and shipping accounts. Shopify Help Center pages are maintained documentation. Forecast quantities and the $770 budget example are illustrative calculations. 1. [USPS Postal Explorer: Time-Limited 2026 Price Change](https://pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index)United States Postal Service · Checked 2026-10-12 14:32:39 UTC 2. [USPS: Final October 2026 Notice 123 price list](https://pe.usps.com/resources/PriceChange/Time-Limited%20OCT%202026%20Price%20Change%20-%20Notice123%20PDF%20-%20Final.pdf)United States Postal Service · Commercial Ground Advantage, page 15 · Checked 2026-10-12 14:32:39 UTC 3. [USPS Postal Explorer: Price and SKU File Archive](https://pe.usps.com/Archive/PriceFile)United States Postal Service · July 12, 2026 CSV price files, USPS Ground Advantage Comm.csv · Checked 2026-10-12 14:37:29 UTC 4. [Shopify: Shipping rates](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/shipping-rates)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-12 14:32:39 UTC 5. [Shopify: Creating a shipping strategy](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/shipping-rates/shipping-strategy)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-12 14:32:43 UTC From the FulfillRelay team · FulfillRelay ## Put this check into your supplier workflow. Route eligible paid orders to the supplier you already work with, follow every handoff and bring tracking back to the original order. [Explore FulfillRelay on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=blog-usps-holiday-rates-2026-supplier-split-shipment-budget) [See how order routing works](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) [Bring your supplier in](https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier) Both your store and your supplier use Shopify. Supplier Connect is free. --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-order-status-links-supplier-tracking-checks Published: 2026-10-11T18:26:08.236Z Updated: 2026-10-11T18:26:08.236Z [← Blog](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog) Shopify operations # Shopify Order Status Links: Supplier Tracking Checks A supplier adds tracking, but your customer still cannot find the shipment. The missing step may be in the retailer order, the notification, or the page the customer opens. Check the complete handoff: supplier fulfillment, tracking on the original order, the message sent, and the customer's access. Shopify's order status page can show separate sections for multiple fulfillments, including shipments handled by different carriers. That makes it useful for supplier orders, provided the right shipment information reaches the retailer order and the customer can reach the page. [1] Start with the [supplier tracking guide](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-supplier-tracking-sync), then check the customer-facing steps below. By [FulfillRelay Team](https://fulfillrelay.com/about) · Published October 11, 2026 **In this article** ## Choose the link that answers the customer's question An order status link leads to the Shopify page for the customer's order. A carrier tracking link leads to the carrier's page for a shipment. Decide which destination your message needs, and label it clearly. Use the order status page when the customer needs to review the order's shipment sections. Use a carrier link when your explanation concerns a particular package. Shopify can show real-time shipment information for supported carriers; for an unsupported carrier, the order status page links to the carrier's website instead. [1] Avoid treating every tracking link as a complete view of the order. In a mixed-supplier order, one package's progress may answer only part of the customer's question. If the customer asks about everything they bought, identify which items the link covers and explain the next step for the remaining items. ![Four-step customer tracking handoff: check the supplier shipment, match the original retailer order, choose an order status or carrier tracking link, and test the customer's access.](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog-media/shopify-order-status-links-supplier-tracking-checks/customer-tracking-flow.svg) Check the shipment information and the customer-facing link as one handoff. Use a controlled test order to verify the access path your store offers. ## Check what reached the original retailer order FulfillRelay connects a supplier's fulfillment to the retailer's original order through the routed order lines. Its tracking guide recommends checking partial shipments by line and quantity. [6] Before investigating an email, confirm that the retailer order contains the shipment you expect the customer to see. Compare the supplier record with the original order: - The exact item and fulfilled quantity - The shipment's tracking number and carrier - The destination opened by the tracking link - Any items still awaiting fulfillment Shopify may identify a carrier from a tracking number, but its fulfillment instructions also allow you to correct the selected carrier. If the carrier is not fully supported, a complete carrier tracking URL can be entered manually. [3] Ask the person responsible for the fulfillment record to correct an inaccurate carrier or destination, then check the customer view again. Keep a shipment-data problem separate from a notification problem. A well-written email cannot display tracking that is missing or matched to the wrong shipment. ## Review all three customer email templates Check the Order confirmation, Shipping confirmation and Shipping update templates. Shopify's default templates include the order status link. Customized templates need their own check to ensure that the intended link remains present. [2] Check the checkout contact channel first. Shopify sends an order confirmation by SMS for a phone-number checkout, but later order and shipping updates are not sent by SMS. [1] Confirm the customer's email-update route before treating a missing email as a broken template. In Shopify's manual fulfillment flow, sending a customer notification is optional and requires the customer's email. When adding tracking later, the shipping-update notification can also be deselected. [3] Check the actual fulfillment or update flow's notification choice before rewriting a template. For an app-managed flow, confirm its current notification behavior rather than assuming that it follows the manual control. For each template, inspect the visible wording and the actual destination. A button that says “View your order” should lead to the intended order page. A package-specific button should make clear which shipment it tracks. Check the mobile email as well, especially when several shipment links appear together. Shopify documents the order_status_url Liquid variable for adding the order status link to custom templates. Keep the variable intact if your developer uses that method. A default reset replaces the template content. Save a copy before making changes, and compare the resulting link and wording before saving the replacement. [2, 5] Previewing a template and sending a test email help check its appearance. Shopify sends that template test email to the account used to sign in to the admin. [5] Then use a controlled test order to check the real order-specific link and shipment information, as Shopify recommends for order status updates. [2] ## Test access from the customer's side An admin view is not the same test as opening the customer's notification. Shopify notes that even a merchant viewing an order status page from the admin sees limited details because of customer access requirements. [1] Use an order you control, with your own test contact details. Open the delivered notification on a phone and in a separate browser. Confirm that it leads to the expected order, that the intended shipment can be found, and that any sign-in or verification instructions are understandable. The available recovery route depends on the customer account setup. Shopify's customization documentation describes sign-in or a new link sent to the checkout email or phone number for newer accounts; legacy accounts or stores with sign-in links turned off use the new-link route. An app block can also require authentication. [4] Test the configuration your store actually uses before writing customer instructions. If a customer reports a restricted view, guide them through the access option shown on your store's page. Do not promise that creating an account is always necessary, or that a forwarded link will show every detail. Shopify's limited view can still include purchase information such as items and the order total. [1] Keep real customer links out of public troubleshooting posts and screenshots. ## Run a short tracking handoff test Keep these checks with the person who owns customer notifications. Repeat them after changing a notification template, a tracking app, a carrier setup or an order status page block. 1. Follow one controlled supplier shipment to its original retailer order. Confirm the item, quantity and tracking destination. 2. Open the actual customer notification. Check the link label and the order or package it opens. 3. Test a partial shipment. Confirm that the customer can distinguish the shipped items from the remaining items. 4. Check the access and recovery path in the store's current customer account configuration. 5. Record any failed step, its owner and the next check time. Retest that step after the correction. The result should be a customer message you can verify: the right items, the right shipment link and a usable path to the order information. If the carrier page itself shows only a label record, continue with the [label-created shipment checklist](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-supplier-tracking-label-created-checklist) before making a delivery promise. ## Sources Sources checked October 11, 2026. Shopify Help Center pages are maintained documentation. Customer access, carrier support and notification behavior should be tested against the store's current configuration. 1. [Shopify: Understanding order status pages](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/order-status-page/understanding-order-status-pages)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-11 12:10:20 UTC 2. [Shopify: Setting up order status updates](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/order-status-page/setting-up-order-status-updates)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-11 12:10:24 UTC 3. [Shopify: Fulfilling your own orders individually](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/fulfilling-orders/single-fulfillment)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-11 12:10:28 UTC 4. [Shopify: Customization options for Thank you and Order status pages](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/checkout-settings/customize-checkout-configurations/customization-options)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-11 12:10:32 UTC 5. [Shopify: Customizing email notification templates](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/notifications/customizing-notification-template)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-11 12:10:35 UTC 6. [FulfillRelay: Sync supplier tracking back to Shopify orders](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-supplier-tracking-sync)Boreal Meridian Commerce Inc. · Checked 2026-10-11 12:10:40 UTC From the FulfillRelay team · FulfillRelay ## Put this check into your supplier workflow. Tracking from the supplier's Shopify fulfillment comes back to your original order, line by line and quantity by quantity. [Explore FulfillRelay on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=blog-shopify-order-status-links-supplier-tracking-checks) [See how order routing works](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) [Bring your supplier in](https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier) Both your store and your supplier use Shopify. Supplier Connect is free. --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-return-window-overrides-supplier-checks Published: 2026-10-10T16:38:09.061Z Updated: 2026-10-10T16:38:09.061Z [← Blog](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog) Shopify industry updates # Shopify Return Window Overrides: Check Supplier Deadlines Shopify announced return window overrides on September 29, 2026. Merchants can apply different return periods to collections, products or variants. For a store selling goods from several suppliers, that creates a useful opportunity to review the promise attached to each item before the next order arrives. [Shopify announcement](https://changelog.shopify.com/posts/return-window-overrides-now-available) Start with the customer's request deadline, then compare it with the supplier's terms. A customer who requests a return on time might still need a label, authorization and transit time before the supplier receives the goods. Build a process for that gap before offering a longer window. By [FulfillRelay Team](https://fulfillrelay.com/about) · Published October 10, 2026 **In this article** ## Understand which return window applies Within Shopify's configured rules, the order of checks matters: - A final-sale designation prevents a return request even when an override matches. - One matching override replaces the applicable default or market window. - Several matching overrides use the shortest matching override. - With no override, the applicable market window applies, or the store default if no market rule exists. [Override behavior](https://changelog.shopify.com/posts/return-window-overrides-now-available) For example, imagine a 60-day store default, a 45-day home-office collection override and a 20-day end-of-season collection override. An item in both collections uses 20 days. An item matching only the home-office override uses 45 days. These are illustrative settings, not recommended policy lengths. The current Help Center labels market-specific return rules as early access for certain merchants. Check your admin before planning separate market policies. [Return rules and availability](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/managing-orders/returns/return-rules) These settings describe Shopify's request controls. Review your policy and applicable consumer obligations with qualified advice before shortening a window or using final sale. ![Diagram for comparing a customer's return request deadline with a supplier's acceptance deadline. Identify the applicable Shopify rule, check final sale, then use the shortest matching override or the base window when none matches. Confirm each clock's starting event and allow time for labels and return transit. Market-specific rules are early access; consumer obligations need separate review.](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog-media/shopify-return-window-overrides-supplier-checks/return-window-flow.svg) Check the customer request window and the supplier's required action separately. Their clocks can start at different events. ## Compare the customer deadline with the supplier deadline Create a short record for each supplier and the affected product variants. Put these questions next to one another: - What event starts the customer's window, and when can they last request a return? - Does the supplier require a request, authorization, dispatch or physical receipt by its deadline? - Where must the goods go, and who provides the label? - Who covers the return when your customer promise extends beyond the supplier's acceptance terms? Record the actual terms and the date you confirmed them. Leave unresolved points visible rather than filling them with an assumed standard. A supplier's phrase such as “returns within 30 days” needs clarification if it doesn't name the starting event or required action. As an illustrative timing test, suppose both clocks start at the same event. A customer can request a return after 20 elapsed days, but the supplier requires receipt by day 25. A seven-day return journey after that request reaches day 27, beyond the supplier deadline. Authorization or label delays could add more time. The numbers are invented to show the mismatch; use your own agreed terms and realistic transit estimates. If that test fails, decide how you will honor the customer promise. Options to investigate include extending supplier acceptance, receiving returns yourself or budgeting for cases the supplier won't accept. Assign an owner to the decision before changing the storefront promise. ## Check the starting event on split deliveries Shopify offers a window starting at each item's delivery or at delivery of the order's last item. If delivery information is unavailable under the item-delivery setting, it uses fulfillment plus a transit buffer. Rule changes apply to future orders. [Window timing](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/managing-orders/returns/return-rules) For a mixed-supplier order, record when each item arrived and which event your customer rule uses. Compare that with each supplier's terms. A supplier might measure its deadline from its own shipment while the customer window waits for a later item from another supplier. Keep the terms associated with the original order available to support. When a customer contacts you after a policy change, check that order's timing before giving a deadline from today's settings. Add a review point for exchanged or newly added items rather than assuming their clock matches every original item. ## Review collections and customer-facing policy together Shopify documents that changing collection sources or conditions changes which products or variants are included. [Collection maintenance](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/products/collections/manage-sources) That makes collection membership part of your return-window review. Before a promotion, choose a sample item that belongs to two collections and inspect all matching overrides. Repeat the check when merchandising changes collection membership. A label such as “holiday gifts” doesn't tell you whether the item also belongs to a shorter-window collection. Next, read the policy a customer can actually open. For a manually maintained policy, compare its wording with the settings. For an automated policy, Shopify says content follows relevant store settings, but you remain responsible for accuracy and compliance. It also advises checking alignment with a returns app's rules and instructions. [Store policy guidance](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/checkout-settings/refund-privacy-tos) Review product-page promises, help pages and support replies too. Give staff one clear explanation of the starting event and required customer action. Check each language you sell in, especially where a translated promise contains a different period or return destination. ## Test the request path and the supplier handoff With Shopify self-serve returns, a customer request goes to the merchant for review and can be approved or declined according to the policy. [Self-serve workflow](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/managing-orders/returns/self-serve-returns) Walk through your actual customer entry point in a controlled test. If you use a separate returns app, check its behavior directly. Record the variant, market, applicable window, starting event and result for these cases: 1. An item with no override 2. An item with one longer override 3. An item in two overridden collections 4. An item marked final sale 5. A mixed-supplier order with different delivery dates 6. A request close to the deadline, including time to obtain a label and return the parcel The test should leave a named person responsible for any eligible request that needs supplier approval. Confirm the return destination before sending instructions. Avoid closing a case simply because a supplier hasn't responded. If you use Shopify Collective with a supported third-party returns app, Shopify instructs you to align the relevant Collective window and fee settings with the app. Check that specific workflow separately. [Collective returns policies](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/online-sales-channels/shopify-collective/retailers/policies/returns) For help choosing the request workflow, read our [native returns versus a returns app guide](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-native-returns-vs-returns-app). Once goods arrive, our [return inspection checklist](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-return-inspection-refund-restock-checklist) covers the next handoff. The useful outcome is an item-level promise your team can explain and carry out: a clear request deadline, a confirmed destination and a plan for the supplier's acceptance deadline. ## Sources Official Shopify sources checked on October 10, 2026. Feature availability and documentation can change; check the linked guidance and your own store before changing settings. 1. [Return window overrides now available](https://changelog.shopify.com/posts/return-window-overrides-now-available)Shopify Changelog · Checked 2026-10-10 12:08:36 UTC 2. [Setting up return and cancellation rules](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/managing-orders/returns/return-rules)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-10 12:08:43 UTC 3. [Managing collection sources and conditions](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/products/collections/manage-sources)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-10 12:08:43 UTC 4. [Adding store policies](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/checkout-settings/refund-privacy-tos)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-10 12:08:43 UTC 5. [Self-serve returns and cancellations](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/managing-orders/returns/self-serve-returns)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-10 12:08:43 UTC 6. [Returns policies in the Shopify Collective app](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/online-sales-channels/shopify-collective/retailers/policies/returns)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-10 12:08:43 UTC From the FulfillRelay team · FulfillRelay Returns ## Put this checklist into your returns workflow. Customers send details and photos through your portal. You review the evidence beside your rules, decide yourself and confirm any refund separately. [Start Returns free](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=blog-shopify-return-window-overrides-supplier-checks) [See how Returns works](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) Free plan: 5 return cases a month. Billing runs through Shopify. --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-product-csv-import-supplier-variant-mappings Published: 2026-10-09T14:03:07.125Z Updated: 2026-10-09T14:03:07.125Z [← Blog](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog) Shopify operations # Shopify Product CSV Imports: Check Supplier Variant Mappings Before importing a Shopify product CSV, record the supplier matches and open orders for the products you will change. After the import, compare the actual variants in both stores and confirm each affected match before relying on it for another handoff. A product page that looks familiar can still need a fresh routing check. This workflow is for retailers whose suppliers maintain independent Shopify stores. It adds a catalog-change review to the [supplier SKU routing guide](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing), so a bulk update has a clear owner and a checked outcome. By [FulfillRelay Team](https://fulfillrelay.com/about) · Published October 9, 2026 **In this article** ## Capture the current catalog and open handoffs Export the products you plan to update and keep an untouched copy. Shopify supports exports of selected products or a filtered product list. It also warns that sorting a product CSV in a spreadsheet can separate variants or images from their products and lead to damaging imports. Preserve the file's structure while preparing your changes. [3] Alongside that export, save the current supplier mapping records available in your routing workflow. For each affected item, record the retailer store and variant, the supplier store and exact counterpart, their SKUs, and the agreed supplier price and currency. Keep the record outside the CSV you are editing. A product export alone does not confirm the relationship between two stores. List any outstanding customer orders and supplier handoffs for those items. Include the last confirmed instruction and who is responsible for dispatch. Agree how new orders will be handled during the change window, and give unresolved matches a review owner. Shopify says product CSV imports cannot be canceled after they start, and past-import history is unavailable. Review recent changes in the activity log and retain your files. [2] ![Four checks for a supplier catalog change: save the product baseline, approved matches and open orders; review affected fields and variants; confirm the current exact match in both stores after import; then check existing instructions and a supported test before expanding. Keep unclear matches assigned for review.](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog-media/shopify-product-csv-import-supplier-variant-mappings/catalog-mapping-flow.svg) ## Check the import fields that can affect the match Review the changed columns before uploading. Shopify documents several behaviors that matter to supplier routing: - Changes in the Option1 value, Option2 value or Option3 value columns replace existing variant IDs with new ones. Shopify warns this can break third-party dependencies on those IDs. [1] - With matching-handle overwrite enabled, a blank non-required field can clear the existing value. Omitting a non-required column generally preserves it, but column dependencies and defaults need a separate check. [2] - Variant-related updates, such as a SKU change, require the corresponding variant data. Shopify specifically requires Option1 name and Option1 value for that case; leaving them out can create a default variant and delete existing variants. [1] A SKU-only edit and an option-value change therefore deserve different checks. Do not assume every import replaces IDs, or that an unchanged SKU proves the variant reference survived. Compare the actual fields your file will update. Consider a hypothetical supplier that changes a shirt's color value from Navy to Midnight in its CSV. Even if the physical shirt and SKU are unchanged, the documented option-value behavior means the resulting variant reference needs checking. Ask whether the change is only a label adjustment or describes different goods before agreeing the new match. [2] ## Compare the actual variants after the import Inspect the updated products in the store that received the import, then compare them with the approved counterpart in the other store. Work from the current records rather than the intended spreadsheet alone. Check size, color, pack quantity and any other attribute that changes what a shopper receives. Confirm that one retail unit still corresponds to the agreed supplier unit. A single bottle and a six-bottle pack need an explicit agreement even when their names look similar. Shopify recommends unique variant SKUs and warns that duplicates can cause inventory and third-party integration issues. Its SKU guidance also calls for exact case and spacing when matching an app's SKU field. Keep both stores' codes with the approved pair and resolve any mismatch through the mapping process. [4, 5] For FulfillRelay, the documented match is between the retailer variant and the supplier's exact variant, with supplier confirmation of the item, price and currency. Review changed or unmapped items using the actual app process. [5] Verify the approved result before treating the catalog change as complete. If an identifier, attribute or agreed term differs, keep that item in review. Write down whether the result is the same match confirmed, a replacement match approved, or an unresolved exception. Avoid automatically choosing the nearest product name. ## Keep existing orders tied to their confirmed instructions Check existing work separately from the mapping you will use for new orders. For each affected customer line, find any supplier order already created and compare its variant, quantity and dispatch instruction with the pre-import record. A refreshed catalog match is too little evidence to conclude that an existing supplier order changed. Ask the supplier what its outstanding order still instructs it to ship. If a correction is required, coordinate that specific order through the agreed change process before creating another handoff. Record the supplier reference and latest confirmed state so the next person can distinguish an old order needing attention from a new order ready to route. When a customer has requested a different item, handle that request as a separate order change rather than folding it into catalog maintenance. ## Test a checked match before increasing the scope For Shopify Partners performing a large import for a merchant, Shopify recommends testing a small subset in a dev store first. [2] Build a controlled check around a changed variant and an unaffected counterpart, with the supplier involved before any order is sent. Use a suitable test environment and a supported Shopify test-order method. Shopify's test-order guidance covers checkout and order-processing checks, and warns that live customers cannot order while the payment provider is in test mode. [6] Establish whether your routing workflow supports the intended test path and how both stores will prevent an unintended purchase or shipment. A simulated customer checkout alone does not verify a supplier handoff. For a supported end-to-end test, compare the source line, current approved supplier variant, quantity and agreed terms with the downstream record. Confirm that only the intended work is created and account for any order already present before retrying. Keep the outcome with the catalog-change record. ## Close the change with a usable record Before expanding the update, keep: - The store, products and fields changed, with the original and imported files - The previous and current retailer-to-supplier matches - Supplier confirmation of the exact goods and agreed terms - Existing orders checked, including unresolved corrections - The controlled test result, remaining exceptions and responsible person Close each affected item when its current match and outstanding work are accounted for. If some items remain uncertain, give them a next action and review time. This leaves your team able to explain what changed and which supplier instruction it can rely on. ## Sources Sources checked October 9, 2026. Shopify Help Center pages are maintained documentation; review the current CSV format and the routing process used by the stores involved. The catalog-change checklist and examples are an operational framework for applying that guidance. 1. [Shopify: Using CSV files to import and export products](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/products/import-export/using-csv)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-09 12:42:56 UTC 2. [Shopify: Importing products with a CSV file](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/products/import-export/import-products)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-09 12:42:56 UTC 3. [Shopify: Exporting products](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/products/import-export/export-products)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-09 12:42:56 UTC 4. [Shopify: Using SKUs to manage your inventory](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/products/details/sku)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-09 12:42:56 UTC 5. [FulfillRelay: Route Shopify orders to suppliers by SKU](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing)Boreal Meridian Commerce Inc. · Checked 2026-10-09 12:42:56 UTC 6. [Shopify: Placing a test order](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/checkout-settings/test-orders)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-09 12:42:56 UTC From the FulfillRelay team · FulfillRelay ## Put this check into your supplier workflow. FulfillRelay routes only lines with an approved, exact SKU mapping. Anything unmatched stays visible and is not sent. [Explore FulfillRelay on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=blog-shopify-product-csv-import-supplier-variant-mappings) [See how order routing works](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) [Bring your supplier in](https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier) Both your store and your supplier use Shopify. Supplier Connect is free. ## Continue with the guides - [Set up exact SKU routing](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-supplier-stockout-availability-checks Published: 2026-10-07T18:01:33.155Z Updated: 2026-10-07T18:01:33.155Z [← Blog](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog) Shopify operations # Shopify Supplier Stockouts: Checks Before Selling More When a supplier reports a stock shortage, check the affected variant, the quantity it can actually allocate to your store and the freshness of that confirmation before accepting more orders. Then review your Shopify selling settings and give the next stock check a clear owner. This checklist is for retailers whose suppliers ship directly to customers. It helps you make a supported decision about new sales while keeping existing orders accounted for. Use the [supplier SKU routing guide](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing) for the separate setup and order-handoff steps. By [FulfillRelay Team](https://fulfillrelay.com/about) · Published October 7, 2026 **In this article** ## Identify the exact variant and stock source Start with the retailer product variant and its agreed supplier counterpart. Confirm size, color, pack quantity and any other attribute that changes what the customer will receive. Record the supplier store and the location expected to ship it. Shopify recommends unique SKUs for variants within your admin and warns that duplicate SKUs can cause inventory and third-party integration problems. Where a workflow matches by SKU, check the case and spacing. Keep both stores' identifiers in the record and compare them against the approved mapping. [1, 8] Ask where the shortage report came from: a supplier message, a current inventory view or a feed your team relies on. Record when that information was checked, including the time zone. If the supplier has changed its catalog or replaced a variant, review the mapping before routing further orders for that item. ![Five supplier stock checks: identify the variant and shipping location; verify current sellable stock; confirm your allocation and outstanding orders; review selling controls; record the decision, owner and recheck time.](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog-media/shopify-supplier-stockout-availability-checks/supplier-stock-availability-flow.svg) ## Read sellable stock at the shipping location If the supplier tracks inventory in Shopify, ask it to check the affected variant at the location that will fulfill the work. Shopify separates five inventory states. On hand includes Available, Committed and Unavailable units. Available excludes stock already committed or set aside; Incoming stock has not yet become available to sell. [2] An illustrative example: a supplier has 24 units on hand, with 8 committed and 4 unavailable. That leaves 12 available. A separate incoming delivery of 30 units does not increase those 12 until the stock is received and becomes available. These are hypothetical quantities, not a merchant result. [2] Location settings matter too. Shopify tracks quantities separately by location. Stock at a location that does not fulfill online orders is excluded from the online quantity. A variant with an On hand quantity but a dash for Available can be inactive at that location. [3] Have the supplier explain any uncertainty in its records. A stock count awaiting verification or goods still in quality control need a further check before you base a customer promise on them. ## Confirm the quantity allocated to your store Ask the supplier how many units it can commit to your retailer relationship, whether that confirmation includes your outstanding orders and how long it remains valid. Its available total may also serve other retailers or its own customers. In the example above, the supplier might confirm only five of the twelve available units for your store. Use that five-unit commitment when reviewing new sales. Do not treat the whole twelve as your allocation. Clarify whether the five covers existing work, new orders or both, so you neither double-count committed orders nor overlook them. Check dispatch capacity alongside stock. Ask when those units can leave, which destinations the supplier can serve and whether a handling constraint affects the promised service. Set another checkpoint before a promotion or when the supplier's confirmation expires. Choose that interval with the supplier based on how quickly its stock changes. For FulfillRelay, the supplier keeps its own catalog and fulfillment decisions. Approved mappings and eligible paid order lines form the retailer-to-supplier handoff. Keep your stock confirmation alongside that workflow in a record your team can find. [8, 9] ## Review the retailer's out-of-stock settings Check the affected variant in your own store: inventory tracking, quantities, active fulfillment locations and the setting that permits sales after stock runs out. Shopify's Continue selling when out of stock option allows tracked items to be sold at zero or below. It does not apply to Shopify POS, where staff can continue selling after a stock warning. [4] Decide whether to stop new sales, reduce the quantity offered or accept clearly described preorders. Base that choice on the confirmed supply and the obligations that apply to your store. If you accept future-stock orders, explain the expected dispatch window and how customers can get help if it changes. When a feed or app updates inventory, confirm who controls the quantity and how a manual change interacts with the next update. Shopify cautions that changing inventory policies or amounts can affect apps and sales channels. A daily sales limit is one documented option, but it still needs accurate quantities and the appropriate overselling setting. [5] After an authorized change, inspect the actual product and checkout experience. Check the affected variant and an unaffected one, including the sales channels you use. Confirm that the customer-facing wording matches the decision your team made. ## Test the shortage and recovery path Use a suitable test store and a supported test-order method to try one available unit, zero available units and a quantity above the amount offered. Check the messages and whether each attempted purchase behaves as intended. Shopify documents test orders as a way to check inventory and checkout; putting a live store's payment provider in test mode prevents customers from placing live orders. [6] Also review an existing unfulfilled order for the affected item. Confirm how it appears in the supplier's outstanding work before changing the quantity you offer to new shoppers. If its supply is uncertain, assign someone to obtain a supplier answer and communicate the verified next step to the customer. When stock becomes available again, check its identity, location and sellable state before reopening sales. For tracked variants, Shopify's adjustment history shows when a quantity changed, who or what changed it and its effect on the inventory states. Review the existing change before adding another adjustment. [7] ## Leave a stock decision the next person can use Keep a short availability record with: - The exact retailer and supplier variants and intended shipping location - The source of the stock information and when it was checked - The quantity confirmed for your store and which outstanding orders it covers - The dispatch commitment and any unresolved supply question - The selling decision, responsible person and next recheck time Recheck whenever the confirmation expires or the facts change. If the supplier cannot confirm supply, give that uncertainty a specific next action before accepting more commitments. A current, item-level record helps your team control new sales and gives customer support a reliable explanation of what happens next. ## Sources Sources checked October 7, 2026. Shopify Help Center pages are maintained documentation; review the current controls in each store and the supplier's actual stock records. 1. [Shopify: Using SKUs to manage your inventory](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/products/details/sku)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-07 12:20:09 UTC 2. [Shopify: Understanding inventory states](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/inventory-and-locations/fundamentals/inventory-states)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-07 12:20:12 UTC 3. [Shopify: Understanding inventory management for multiple locations and apps](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/inventory-and-locations/setup/multi-managed-inventory)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-07 12:20:12 UTC 4. [Shopify: Selling out of stock products](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/inventory-and-locations/setup/selling-when-out-of-stock)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-07 12:20:12 UTC 5. [Shopify: Managing increased sales](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/promoting-marketing/sales/managing-increased-sales)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-07 12:20:09 UTC 6. [Shopify: Placing a test order](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/checkout-settings/test-orders)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-07 12:24:15 UTC 7. [Shopify: Viewing inventory adjustment history](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/inventory-and-locations/adjusting-inventory/adjustment-history)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-07 12:20:12 UTC 8. [FulfillRelay: Route Shopify orders to suppliers by SKU](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing)FulfillRelay · Checked 2026-10-07 12:20:10 UTC 9. [FulfillRelay: For suppliers](https://fulfillrelay.com/for-suppliers)FulfillRelay · Checked 2026-10-07 12:20:10 UTC From the FulfillRelay team · FulfillRelay ## Put this check into your supplier workflow. Route eligible paid orders to the supplier you already work with, follow every handoff and bring tracking back to the original order. [Explore FulfillRelay on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=blog-shopify-supplier-stockout-availability-checks) [See how order routing works](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) [Bring your supplier in](https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier) Both your store and your supplier use Shopify. Supplier Connect is free. ## Continue with the guides - [Route Shopify orders to suppliers by SKU](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-supplier-tracking-label-created-checklist Published: 2026-10-06T18:02:51.430Z Updated: 2026-10-06T18:02:51.430Z [← Blog](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog) Shopify operations # Shopify Supplier Tracking Stuck at Label Created: A Checklist Your supplier has recorded fulfillment and the tracking number appears on your Shopify order. The carrier page still says “Label Created.” Before telling the customer the parcel is moving, check the tracking details, establish what happened at handover and assign the next action to the right team. This checklist covers the gap between label preparation and confirmed carrier possession. It helps you distinguish a supplier dispatch question, a tracking-record mismatch and a carrier investigation without creating another shipment prematurely. For a customer who has received only part of an order, also use the [missing-item and split-shipment checks](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-missing-item-split-shipment-checklist). By [FulfillRelay Team](https://fulfillrelay.com/about) · Published October 6, 2026 **In this article** ## Read the carrier status before describing the shipment UPS says Label Created means it has received shipment details and billing information. Its status updates once it has possession and the shipment is moving in its network. FedEx defines Label created as preparation of the label; its separate We have your package status means the parcel has entered the FedEx network. [1, 2] Record the carrier's exact wording and when you checked it. A label-only event gives you no confirmed carrier possession from that tracking page. It also does not prove the supplier still has the parcel: the handover may need further verification. Shopify's own fulfillment record can precede physical dispatch. For labels purchased in Shopify, buying and printing the label marks the order fulfilled in the admin. For split orders, check the affected fulfillment and quantities before describing what has dispatched. Check the carrier evidence separately when answering a movement question. [3] ## Confirm the tracking details refer to the intended parcel Compare the number and carrier on the supplier's fulfillment with the details on the retailer's order. Open the carrier's official tracking page directly and enter the number there. Check the relevant item and quantity so the investigation stays tied to the affected parcel. Shopify documents that automatic carrier detection can select the wrong carrier when number formats overlap. A third-party app should supply the carrier and tracking URL with the number. If the carrier is wrong, follow the applicable workflow to select the correct carrier or provide its full tracking URL. [4] Ask whether the supplier replaced or reprinted a label. Confirm which number is active and which label is actually on the parcel before correcting a record. Keep the old reference in your internal history so a colleague can understand the change. If the carrier page shows movement while the customer link does not, investigate the link or record difference first. If both stores show the same correct number and the carrier still shows only label preparation, move to the handover check. ## Ask the supplier for evidence of handover Give the supplier the existing order reference, affected items and tracking number. Ask for a specific dispatch update: - Is the parcel packed and still at the supplier, or has it been handed over? - If handed over, what was the date, time and time zone? - Which pickup or drop-off location handled it? - Is there a carrier receipt or collection record identifying this parcel or its tracking number? - If it is still waiting, what is the confirmed next dispatch action? A pickup booking describes planned work. Ask for confirmation that collection occurred. Where a collection record covers several parcels, have the supplier identify how the affected parcel is included. Keep any limits in the evidence visible. For example, a label created in the morning with an agreed afternoon pickup needs a different follow-up before and after that pickup. Before the checkpoint, confirm the plan. After a missed checkpoint, ask for the revised dispatch action or the handover record. These are operational checkpoints your team agrees with the supplier, not carrier-wide waiting rules. ## Send the issue to the team that can resolve it Use the evidence to choose the next owner: - Parcel still with the supplier: the supplier confirms dispatch and explains any missed commitment - Supplier reports handover, carrier possession unconfirmed: the supplier checks its collection evidence and contacts the carrier through the applicable shipping-account process - Carrier tracking moves, retailer tracking differs: the team responsible for the tracking workflow checks the existing fulfillment and synchronization [FulfillRelay's tracking workflow](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-supplier-tracking-sync) brings supplier fulfillment tracking back to the original retailer order. If details are missing there, compare the connected supplier order, fulfilled quantity and existing workflow status. Background processing can take time; resolve the existing handoff before creating another supplier order. [5] Keep physical dispatch and tracking correction assigned separately when both need work. A tracking edit should leave the next colleague able to identify the same parcel and its current owner. ![Check the parcel and handover evidence, then assign supplier dispatch, carrier follow-up or tracking correction.](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog-media/shopify-supplier-tracking-label-created-checklist/tracking-handover-flow.svg) ## Set a checkpoint around the actual dispatch commitment Agree when the supplier or carrier contact will report back. Base that checkpoint on the promised dispatch, pickup arrangement, service and the carrier's current guidance. Label age alone is a poor basis for deciding to replace the goods. Once carrier possession or transit is confirmed, use the carrier's transit guidance. UPS notes that long-distance shipments may receive no further scan until the destination hub. FedEx says scan frequency varies and an in-transit shipment can go more than 24 hours without an update. Those statements concern transit gaps; they do not establish a universal waiting period for Label Created. [1, 2] Before approving a replacement, establish what is known about the original parcel and coordinate the resolution with the supplier. Record the decision under your store's policy and applicable obligations. Keep uncertainty explicit if the original shipment could still arrive. ## Give the customer a precise update and keep the case assigned If possession remains unconfirmed, a useful update is: “The tracking label has been created for [item and quantity]. We're checking the carrier handover with the supplier and will update you by [date, time and time zone].” Use an update time your team can meet. If the supplier reports collection but the tracking page has not confirmed possession, describe that distinction accurately. Avoid supplying a new delivery date until you have a supported estimate. Shopify's shipping confirmation can be triggered by fulfillment; review what the customer has already received so your reply explains the current evidence. [6] Keep the status checked, supplier response, evidence, owner and next checkpoint together. Shopify's order Timeline supports internal comments and attachments; those comments are not visible to the customer, so send the customer update separately. [7] Close this pre-transit check when dispatch is verified or the agreed resolution is recorded. If the shipment then needs a transit investigation, hand it over with the carrier evidence and a named owner. Clear ownership at each stage keeps a label-only update from becoming an open-ended support loop. ## Sources Sources checked October 6, 2026. Carrier wording and Shopify controls can change; review the current documentation and the records for the shipment you are handling. 1. [UPS: Understanding tracking status](https://www.ups.com/us/en/support/tracking-support/where-is-my-package/understanding-tracking-status)UPS · Checked 2026-10-06 12:48:51 UTC 2. [FedEx: Tracking and managing deliveries](https://www.fedex.com/en-us/tracking/guide-for-tracking-managing-deliveries.html)FedEx · Checked 2026-10-06 12:48:51 UTC 3. [Shopify: Fulfilling your own orders individually](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/fulfilling-orders/single-fulfillment)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-06 12:49:19 UTC 4. [Shopify: Order tracking at Shopify](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/order-status-page/order-tracking)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-06 12:49:37 UTC 5. [FulfillRelay: Sync supplier tracking back to Shopify orders](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-supplier-tracking-sync)Boreal Meridian Commerce Inc. · Checked 2026-10-06 12:49:51 UTC 6. [Shopify: Setting up customer notifications](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/notifications/customer-notifications)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-06 12:49:19 UTC 7. [Shopify: Viewing and managing order details](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/managing-orders/managing-order-details)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-06 12:50:33 UTC From the FulfillRelay team · FulfillRelay ## Put this check into your supplier workflow. Tracking from the supplier's Shopify fulfillment comes back to your original order, line by line and quantity by quantity. [Explore FulfillRelay on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=blog-shopify-supplier-tracking-label-created-checklist) [See how order routing works](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) [Bring your supplier in](https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier) Both your store and your supplier use Shopify. Supplier Connect is free. ## Continue with the guides - [Sync supplier tracking back to Shopify orders](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-supplier-tracking-sync) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-market-driven-shipping-supplier-checks Published: 2026-10-06T00:12:00.821Z Updated: 2026-10-06T00:12:00.821Z [← Blog](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog) Shopify industry updates # Shopify Market-Driven Shipping: Checks for Supplier Orders Before changing your Shopify shipping setup, check which system your store uses, test a mixed-supplier cart and compare the customer-facing charge with the shipping costs you expect to pay. A single checkout charge can still cover several parcels, each with its own supplier, service and dispatch schedule. Shopify's October 1, 2026 [fulfillment update](https://www.shopify.com/blog/fulfillment-on-shopify-2026) says all merchants are eligible to opt in to market-driven shipping. Its current [Help Center overview](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/shipping-options) still labels shipping options by market as early access for certain stores. With those availability descriptions differing, check the controls in your own admin before planning a change. By [FulfillRelay Team](https://fulfillrelay.com/about) · Published October 5, 2026 **In this article** ## Start with the shipping system your store actually uses Open Settings > Shipping and delivery. Shopify's [upgrade guide](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/shipping-options/whats-changing-with-shipping) distinguishes shipping profiles, zones and rates from the new Shipping options section organized by market. Stores keep their existing setup until upgraded; the rollout is gradual. The guide says existing rates migrate during the upgrade, and rates with the same shipping option name are consolidated. Review the result rather than assuming the old checkout total will remain unchanged. Check any shipping-app compatibility banner and make sure the person managing the new setup has the required Markets permission. Before a change, keep a record of your current options, conditions and a few representative checkout results. That gives you something concrete to compare with the new setup. ## Know when rates combine and when they add up Shopify's [rate-type documentation](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/shipping-options/understanding-shipping-options-by-market) makes an important distinction: - Flat and order amount rates: when several rates match within the same shipping option, the highest matching rate is charged - Different options used for different items or shipments in one cart: those selected charges are added together - Weight-based, carrier-calculated and app-calculated rates: calculated per shipment and added together when an order is split - App-provided rates managed by a shipping app: also added per shipment - Preorders and items shipping immediately: their rates are added even when they belong to the same shipping option For eligible flat or order amount rates shared across shipments, checkout can label other shipments Included. That label describes the customer's shipping charge. It does not establish that a supplier will pack those items together or ship them for free. Shopify's [split-shipping guide](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/checkout-settings/split-shipping) explains these checkout choices and exceptions. ## Match the checkout offer to each supplier's actual service For every product group, confirm who will dispatch it, which destinations they serve, the service they can use, their handling time and the shipping charge you expect. Keep supplier handling time separate from carrier transit time when reviewing a delivery estimate. Shopify's [setup instructions](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/shipping-options/setting-up-shipping-options) let rates apply to particular product collections and fulfillment locations. Check those conditions against your store's real configuration. An independent supplier relationship alone is not enough information to decide which location or rate condition belongs on the retailer's checkout. [FulfillRelay's supplier workflow](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) connects retailers and existing suppliers who each operate their own Shopify store. Approved mappings route eligible paid lines; the supplier accepts and fulfills in its store, and tracking returns to the retailer order. Use the [SKU routing guide](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing) to verify the exact product handoff. Separately confirm how your checkout settings represent those products and the delivery service the supplier will provide. ![Six supplier shipping checks, from the active shipping system to resolving and retesting mismatches.](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog-media/shopify-market-driven-shipping-supplier-checks/shipping-readiness-flow.svg) ## Test the carts that expose a mismatch Use a development store or an approved test-order process. Start a fresh checkout for each check: Shopify warns that an abandoned checkout retains its previous rates and can mislead a test of changed settings. Its [shipping troubleshooting guide](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/shipping-rates/troubleshooting) also identifies discounted cart values, product weights, package details and shipping origins as important checks. Build a short test set: 1. One product from each supplier, tested separately at a destination you serve 2. A mixed-supplier cart with matching flat or order amount rates in one option 3. A cart selecting different options for different shipments, where available 4. Carts just below, at and above your order-value or weight thresholds, including a relevant discount 5. A preorder combined with an item ready to ship, if your store offers preorders 6. A cart using carrier or app-provided rates, if you rely on them For each case, record the destination region, cart contents, rate type, selected option, observed total, displayed shipment groups and delivery estimates. Compare the displayed service with what each supplier has agreed to provide. Mark an irrelevant case as not applicable; leave an untested case open. ## Check the shipping gap before expanding the change Compare the observed customer shipping charge with the total expected supplier shipping charges for the same cart and destination. Use one currency and the same tax basis. If a cost is unknown, get a quote before treating the comparison as complete. The difference is a shipping-only gap, not order profit. It excludes product costs, payment fees, duties and other expenses. A merchant may intentionally subsidize shipping, but the amount should be a deliberate choice. A lower checkout charge does not, by itself, show that the underlying fulfillment costs fell. If an option disappears or a total looks wrong, give the issue an owner and retest the affected cart after correction. Check the store's actual shipping system, applicable conditions and rate-provider compatibility before changing more settings. Keep the resulting test record with your supplier service agreements. Once checkout and supplier expectations agree, follow each routed order through acceptance and fulfillment. Clear customer pricing is most useful when the team shipping each item can deliver the service it represents. ## Sources Sources checked October 5, 2026. Shopify availability and settings can change; check your store's current admin and the linked documentation. 1. [Peak Season Fulfillment on Shopify: What's New for 2026 — Shopify](https://www.shopify.com/blog/fulfillment-on-shopify-2026)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-05 12:18:15 UTC 2. [Shipping options by market — Shopify Help Center](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/shipping-options)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-05 12:18:15 UTC 3. [Upgrading from shipping profiles to shipping options by market — Shopify Help Center](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/shipping-options/whats-changing-with-shipping)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-05 12:18:15 UTC 4. [Understanding shipping options by market — Shopify Help Center](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/shipping-options/understanding-shipping-options-by-market)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-05 12:18:15 UTC 5. [Split shipping in Shopify Checkout — Shopify Help Center](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/checkout-settings/split-shipping)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-05 12:18:15 UTC 6. [Setting up shipping options for a market — Shopify Help Center](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/shipping-options/setting-up-shipping-options)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-05 12:18:15 UTC 7. [Troubleshooting and testing shipping rates — Shopify Help Center](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/shipping-rates/troubleshooting)Shopify Help Center · Checked 2026-10-05 12:18:15 UTC 8. [Shopify Supplier Order Routing — FulfillRelay](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing)FulfillRelay · Checked 2026-10-05 12:18:15 UTC 9. [Route Shopify orders to suppliers by SKU — FulfillRelay](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing)FulfillRelay · Checked 2026-10-05 12:18:15 UTC From the FulfillRelay team · FulfillRelay ## Put this check into your supplier workflow. Route eligible paid orders to the supplier you already work with, follow every handoff and bring tracking back to the original order. [Explore FulfillRelay on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=blog-shopify-market-driven-shipping-supplier-checks) [See how order routing works](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) [Bring your supplier in](https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier) Both your store and your supplier use Shopify. Supplier Connect is free. ## Continue with the guides - [Supplier order routing](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) - [Check exact SKU mappings](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-return-inspection-refund-restock-checklist Published: 2026-10-03T16:15:24.801Z Updated: 2026-10-03T16:15:24.801Z [← Blog](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog) Shopify operations # Shopify Return Inspection Checklist Before Refunds and Restocking A return parcel arrives with two items listed on the request. Your team finds one item inside. Before issuing money or adding stock, reconcile what was approved with what actually arrived, inspect each unit and record the next action for anything unresolved. A useful return inspection checklist connects three records: the customer's request, the physical goods and the actions taken in Shopify. It gives support, receiving and the person authorizing refunds enough detail to work from the same facts. Apply it alongside your published policy and the obligations that apply to the order, including any commitment to refund before inspection. By [FulfillRelay Team](https://fulfillrelay.com/about) · Published October 3, 2026 **In this article** ## Match the parcel to the return, then count the items Open the original order and the relevant return request. Check the exact variant, approved quantity and return destination before recording receipt. A parcel arriving at your building establishes less than a completed item-level count. For each return, record: - Order and return reference - Product name, variant and SKU, where available - Quantity expected, quantity physically received and quantity still unresolved - Receiving location and date - Inspector and a link to the inspection notes or relevant photos - Next action, responsible person and customer update time Count repeated units individually. For a set or bundle, check the components against the product description at purchase and the agreed return. If the parcel cannot be matched confidently, keep it identifiable while the responsible team checks. Avoid assigning it to an order simply because the product looks familiar. Shopify's [order Timeline](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/managing-orders/managing-order-details) supports internal staff comments and attachments. Use an appropriate internal record for the handoff, then send the customer a separate update; Timeline comments are not visible to them. ## Inspect condition without guessing what caused it Write observations another colleague can verify: the size on the label, the number of accessories, a broken fastening or a visible stain. Keep the customer's stated return reason alongside these findings. A description such as “zipper does not close” is more useful than an unsupported conclusion about who caused the problem. Use a consistent, product-appropriate checklist. Check identity, completeness, packaging where relevant, visible condition and any authorized functional check. Do not treat a photograph or an AI summary as a substitute for examining the returned unit. Give each received unit an inventory decision: ready for resale, awaiting a quality check, or unsuitable for sale. This decision can differ from the customer's refund outcome. A damaged product may still warrant a refund; its resale condition requires its own assessment. Shopify distinguishes [On hand, Available and Unavailable inventory](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/products/inventory/fundamentals/inventory-states). Unavailable can include damaged goods or stock held for quality control. Where your store uses these states, follow Shopify's [inventory adjustment guidance](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/products/inventory/adjusting-inventory/adjusting-inventory-quantities) to keep inspection stock out of Available. Check the location, review pending changes and save the intended adjustment. ## Handle a partial arrival at the item level Consider a hypothetical return approved for two identical scarves. The first parcel contains one scarf, which passes inspection. The customer says the second was sent separately. The receiving record should show two expected, one received and inspected, and one still awaiting confirmation. Only the scarf physically received and cleared for resale should be considered for available stock. The refund decision should follow the applicable policy, commitments and case facts, with the unresolved unit clearly assigned for follow-up. Shopify documents [partial return processing](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/managing-orders/returns/processing-returns), with refund-now or refund-later choices. Check the controls available in your store. Shopify also notes that exchanges and return enhancements can be activated for Plus stores through its feature test drive. If an item ultimately never arrives, Shopify documents removing it from the return, but items already refunded or restocked cannot be removed. Establish the facts before changing the return. For an unexpected variant or missing component, record the discrepancy and ask for clarification without assuming intent. ## Review the refund and restock controls deliberately Before confirming a refund, compare the selected items, quantities, amount, currency and payment destination with the recorded resolution. Check earlier refunds or store credit so the next action does not duplicate compensation. Review shipping and any fees separately rather than assuming they match the product refund. The inventory controls depend on the workflow. In Shopify's documented Process return flow, Restock at is optional and lets you choose a location. In its general [Refund flow](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/managing-orders/refunding-orders), Restock items is selected by default when inventory is tracked for the included items. Inspect the actual selection before confirming. A monetary refund should not put an uninspected or missing unit into sellable stock. Shopify says a refund initiated from its admin cannot be canceled or reversed. It also recommends creating a return and selecting a return reason before refunding items being sent back. A staff refund note does not replace that return reason in return-reason reporting. Once the action is submitted, check its result. If a refund is pending or fails, inspect the event and error details before attempting another resolution. Shopify's [refund troubleshooting guidance](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/payments/shopify-payments/refunds-troubleshooting) explains where to check those details. Tell the customer the verified status without promising that funds have already reached their account. ## Close the handoff with a reconciled record A closing note should account for the quantities received and inspected, the refund action and the inventory disposition. If work remains, name its owner. For inventory changes, review the tracked variant's [adjustment history](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/products/inventory/adjusting-inventory/adjustment-history) to verify the quantity change and who or what made it. Check existing changes before adding a manual adjustment. Customer wording can stay simple. After confirming the facts in the scarf example: “We received and inspected one of the two scarves in your return. We are checking the separate parcel for the second scarf. [Confirmed refund status.] We will update you by [date, time and time zone].” Replace the placeholders with details your team can support. [FulfillRelay Returns](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) brings email-verified requests, reasons, photos and notes into a branded portal and review workflow. Your team records receipt and explicitly confirms any Shopify refund; optional AI advice leaves decisions with you. Use the [return review guide](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-return-review-workflow) for the request stage, then carry confirmed item-level findings into your receiving and inventory process. Start with one return and reconcile every unit from request to final disposition. A clear receipt record gives the next person enough information to issue the intended refund, handle stock correctly and explain what remains to the customer. ## Sources Sources checked October 3, 2026. Shopify Help Center pages are maintained documentation; availability and controls should be checked in your store. 1. [Shopify: Viewing and managing order details](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/managing-orders/managing-order-details)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-03 12:56:16 UTC 2. [Shopify: Understanding inventory states](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/products/inventory/fundamentals/inventory-states)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-03 12:56:08 UTC 3. [Shopify: Adjusting inventory quantities](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/products/inventory/adjusting-inventory/adjusting-inventory-quantities)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-03 12:57:28 UTC 4. [Shopify: Processing and managing returns](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/managing-orders/returns/processing-returns)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-03 12:56:35 UTC 5. [Shopify: Refunding orders](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/managing-orders/refunding-orders)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-03 12:56:35 UTC 6. [Shopify: Troubleshooting failed or pending refunds](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/payments/shopify-payments/refunds-troubleshooting)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-03 12:56:16 UTC 7. [Shopify: Viewing inventory adjustment history](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/products/inventory/adjusting-inventory/adjustment-history)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-03 12:57:28 UTC 8. [FulfillRelay Returns](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app)Boreal Meridian Commerce Inc. · Checked 2026-10-03 13:01:33 UTC 9. [FulfillRelay: A Shopify return review workflow with human control](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-return-review-workflow)Boreal Meridian Commerce Inc. · Checked 2026-10-03 12:57:18 UTC From the FulfillRelay team · FulfillRelay Returns ## Put this checklist into your returns workflow. Customers send details and photos through your portal. You review the evidence beside your rules, decide yourself and confirm any refund separately. [Start Returns free](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/returns?source=blog-shopify-return-inspection-refund-restock-checklist) [See how Returns works](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) Free plan: 5 return cases a month. Billing runs through Shopify. ## Continue with the guides - [Review Shopify return requests](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-return-review-workflow) - [FulfillRelay Returns](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-batch-fulfillment-holiday-shipping-checks Published: 2026-10-02T15:06:04.138Z Updated: 2026-10-02T15:06:04.138Z [← Blog](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog) Shopify industry updates # Shopify Batch Fulfillment Checks Before Holiday Shipping Shopify’s [October 1 peak-season fulfillment roundup](https://www.shopify.com/blog/fulfillment-on-shopify-2026) highlights batch fulfillment and scan-to-verify tools for picking and packing orders. If your store ships some products itself and has other items shipped by suppliers, the useful first step is deciding which work belongs in each store’s packing queue. Try the workflow on a small group of orders before increasing volume. Check the selected items, barcode behavior and package details, and give exceptions a clear owner. This trial can help you decide whether your team is ready to use batches during holiday shipping. By [FulfillRelay Team](https://fulfillrelay.com/about) · Published October 2, 2026 **In this article** ## What Shopify highlighted for peak season Shopify’s roundup describes grouping orders into a shared picking, packing and label-buying workflow. A pick list covers the batch, and merchants can arrange the steps around their operation. Scan to verify can be used during picking and packing, with product barcodes and a Shopify-compatible scanner. Manual quantity adjustments are available when a scanner or product barcodes are absent. Batch fulfillment already appeared in [Shopify’s Spring ’26 Editions](https://www.shopify.com/editions/spring2026). The October roundup brings it back into focus ahead of holiday shipping. Shopify’s [batch fulfillment documentation](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/fulfilling-orders/batch-fulfillment) specifies a limit of 250 fulfillments per batch. Start well below that limit so your team can inspect each test result. ## Check whether your store is eligible Batches require an active location that you manage in a country where shipping labels can be purchased in Shopify’s admin. A location managed by a fulfillment service does not establish eligibility by itself. Review Shopify’s [shipping-label requirements](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/fulfilling-orders/shipping-labels/setup) for your actual fulfillment location and carrier. For some carriers, the store must also be based in the same country as that location. Confirm your printer setup and the shipment details you will use before anyone buys a label. An eligible retailer location does not tell you whether an independent supplier’s store is eligible. Ask that supplier to check its own setup if it plans to use batches. ## Separate the work your team and suppliers will pack For a store with mixed fulfillment, write down who physically packs each selected item. Use that responsibility to review the proposed picking work before printing documents or purchasing labels. Consider a hypothetical order containing a notebook stored at your location and a lamp shipped by an independent supplier. Your team’s picking instructions should identify the notebook it will pack. Confirm how the supplier’s lamp is handled through the supplier workflow before advancing the order. If the batch selection or documents leave that unclear, pause and resolve it first. [FulfillRelay’s supplier workflow](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) connects retailers and existing suppliers who each run their own Shopify store. Approved mappings route eligible paid order lines to the appropriate supplier. The supplier accepts and fulfills in its store, and tracking returns to the original retailer order. For this setup, ask the supplier how it will organize the orders it receives. Keep your local packing instructions separate from its picking work. Shopify’s roundup does not establish compatibility between its batch tools and a particular third-party app, so verify the proposed workflow before relying on it. If you use a Shopify fulfillment service, review its status controls too. Shopify’s [bulk fulfillment guidance](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/fulfilling-orders/bulk-fulfillment) says service-assigned orders cannot be manually marked fulfilled or in progress by the merchant. Confirm who controls fulfillment before changing a status. ## Run four checks on a small batch Use representative orders your team is authorized to process. Record what you expect before starting, and adapt these four checks to your store’s operation. ### Check similar variants and repeated quantities Include two products that are easy to confuse, such as different sizes of the same item. Also include an order with two units of one variant. Compare the item on screen with the physical product and its barcode. Use a controlled multi-item test order to try an incorrect item. Then scan one item more times than required while another required item is still unverified. Shopify documents an error signal for incorrect items and excessive scans in Scan to verify. Confirm that staff recognize it and know how to correct the selection. Once all items are verified, Shopify automatically advances to the next order. Check the displayed order before continuing to scan. If you need barcode labels, review Shopify’s [Retail Barcode Labels guidance](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/sell-in-person/hardware/barcode-printer/retail-barcode-labels) first. Generating new barcodes can overwrite existing manually entered ones. Preserve the identifiers your operation already depends on, and check that similar variants have distinct, correct labels. ### Check how picked units reach each parcel Include a multi-item order and compare its packing instructions with the units going into the box. A total picked for the batch still needs to be allocated correctly to individual customers. Have the person packing confirm the variant and quantity for each parcel. For mixed local and supplier orders, check that local instructions do not lead staff to pack or label the supplier’s items again. ### Check the package before buying its label Review the origin, destination, package dimensions and total shipment weight. Shopify’s label requirements say inaccurate package details can result in a price adjustment. Use a package your team will actually ship. Record who checks the details and authorizes label purchases. If an item needs unusual packaging or a separate service, resolve that choice before including it in a larger routine batch. ### Check an exception without losing the rest of the work Choose an order that needs a packing correction or further review. Decide who will resolve it and how staff will find it again. Shopify documents that removing an order from a batch leaves its fulfillment status unchanged. Treat that removal as an organizational step. Check the order itself, any label already purchased and the next action that remains before considering the issue resolved. ## Review the workflow settings before expanding Shopify notes that editing a batch workflow affects future batches and the current batch if it has not started. Before saving a change, have the packing team review the sequence and the person responsible for each action. After the trial, record what needed correction: a confusing barcode, unclear supplier responsibility, incorrect package details or an exception with no next owner. Fix those points and repeat the affected check before adding more orders. For connected suppliers, use the [FulfillRelay setup guide](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing) to confirm the separate retailer-to-supplier handoff. Then review the packing workflow in the store that will ship the goods. A small, documented trial gives both teams a concrete basis for deciding what is ready for holiday volume. ## Sources 1. [Peak Season Fulfillment on Shopify What’s New for 2026](https://www.shopify.com/blog/fulfillment-on-shopify-2026)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-02 12:51:00 UTC 2. [Shopify Spring 26 Editions](https://www.shopify.com/editions/spring2026)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-02 12:51:00 UTC 3. [Fulfilling your orders in batches](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/fulfilling-orders/batch-fulfillment)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-02 12:51:00 UTC 4. [Requirements and considerations for buying shipping labels](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/fulfilling-orders/shipping-labels/setup)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-02 12:51:00 UTC 5. [Shopify Supplier Order Routing](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing)Boreal Meridian Commerce Inc. · Checked 2026-10-02 12:51:00 UTC 6. [Fulfilling your own orders in bulk](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/fulfilling-orders/bulk-fulfillment)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-02 12:51:00 UTC 7. [Retail Barcode Labels app](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/sell-in-person/hardware/barcode-printer/retail-barcode-labels)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-02 12:51:00 UTC 8. [Route Shopify orders to suppliers by SKU](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing)Boreal Meridian Commerce Inc. · Checked 2026-10-02 12:51:00 UTC From the FulfillRelay team · FulfillRelay ## Put this check into your supplier workflow. Route eligible paid orders to the supplier you already work with, follow every handoff and bring tracking back to the original order. [Explore FulfillRelay on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=blog-shopify-batch-fulfillment-holiday-shipping-checks) [See how order routing works](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) [Bring your supplier in](https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier) Both your store and your supplier use Shopify. Supplier Connect is free. ## Continue with the guides - [FulfillRelay supplier workflow](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) - [Supplier setup by SKU](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/shopify-missing-item-split-shipment-checklist Published: 2026-10-01T16:02:04.076Z Updated: 2026-10-01T16:02:04.076Z [← Blog](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog) Shopify operations # Missing Items in a Shopify Order and Split Shipments A customer receives a parcel and reports that an item is missing. Your Shopify order has tracking, and one shipment shows Delivered. Before replying, check which item and quantity belong to that package. A split shipment may explain what happened. It may also reveal an item that has not been fulfilled, an incorrect tracking update or a packing discrepancy. The useful response starts with the exact missing unit, follows its fulfillment record and gives the customer a clear next step. By [FulfillRelay Team](https://fulfillrelay.com/about) · Published October 1, 2026 **In this article** ## Check fulfillment status and shipment status separately Shopify uses Partially fulfilled when only some items in an order have been fulfilled. That status describes fulfillment progress across the order. It does not tell you whether the customer has received the remaining items. See [Shopify’s order status definitions](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/managing-orders/order-status). Tracking belongs to a shipment record. Shopify’s [Fulfillment reference](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/Fulfillment) ties the shipped items and quantities to tracking information and allows several fulfillments for one order. One fulfillment can also contain tracking for several packages. If the record does not show which units went in each parcel, confirm the package contents with the fulfillment team before assigning the missing item to a particular tracking number. For a missing-item report, read both levels: the customer’s complete order and the fulfillment that is supposed to contain the missing unit. A delivered package can account for only part of the order. The customer may also dispute what was inside it. ## Build a line and quantity checklist Start with the customer’s description, then compare it with the original order. Confirm the product variant and the number of units missing. “The lids are missing” needs a different answer if the customer ordered two lids and only one has a recorded shipment. For each affected line, record: - The product variant and ordered quantity - The quantity included in each fulfillment - The supplier or team responsible for that fulfillment - The carrier and tracking link attached to it - The latest shipment event and when you checked it - Any quantity still awaiting fulfillment and the person handling it Check order edits, cancellations or refunds before counting the outstanding units. Keep the customer’s report alongside the shipment records: a recorded quantity is evidence of what the system says was fulfilled, not a count of what the customer found in the box. ### A worked example with three different answers Consider an illustrative order for one water bottle and two spare lids. The bottle comes from Supplier A. Both lids come from Supplier B, which fulfills them at different times. | Item and quantity | Shipment record | Current evidence | What support can say | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Water bottle, 1 | Shipment A | Carrier reports Delivered; customer confirms receiving the bottle | The bottle has arrived | | Spare lid, 1 of 2 | Shipment B | Carrier reports In transit | One lid is traveling separately | | Spare lid, remaining 1 | No fulfillment recorded for this unit | Dispatch has not been verified | The second lid needs a dispatch update | The customer reports receiving only the bottle. Saying “the rest is on its way” would overstate the evidence. One lid is in transit; the other still needs confirmation. This example also shows why counting tracking numbers is insufficient. Two numbers do not necessarily cover all three units. Match quantities to each shipment before describing the remaining order. ## Choose the next step from the evidence ### The missing unit is in another shipment Open the tracking information for the fulfillment containing that unit. Verify that the carrier event is current and that the fulfillment quantity covers the customer’s report. For multi-package fulfillments, confirm which package contains the unit before sharing a specific link. If the latest event only confirms that a label was created, do not describe the item as in transit. Ask the fulfillment team to confirm dispatch. [Shopify’s fulfillment events](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/enums/FulfillmentEventStatus) distinguish label preparation from carrier pickup and transit. Explain which item is traveling separately and give the customer the correct link. If you share a delivery estimate, identify it as the carrier’s estimate. Avoid assigning the delivered parcel’s tracking number to an item in another parcel. Shopify’s [order status page supports partial fulfillments](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/order-status-page/understanding-order-status-pages), including different carriers, and creates separate sections for multiple fulfillments. Point the customer to the relevant shipment rather than asking them to interpret the entire order unaided. ### The missing unit has not been fulfilled Identify the supplier or fulfillment team responsible for the outstanding quantity. Ask for its dispatch status and, if available, a confirmed next action. Check any visible hold or exception before assuming the item is simply waiting to ship. Tell the customer what is known: the unit does not yet have a verified shipment. Set a time for your next update that your team can meet. A promised support update can be useful even when you cannot promise a delivery date. Keep that follow-up assigned until the supplier confirms dispatch or your team decides how to resolve the outstanding item. ### The unit is recorded in the delivered parcel but the customer did not receive it Treat this as a packing or receipt discrepancy to investigate. Check the recorded variant and quantity, the packing information available to your team and the customer’s account of what arrived. Ask for relevant packaging or item photos if they would help establish the contents. A carrier delivery event does not settle whether the parcel contained every recorded unit. Keep the case open while the responsible team checks. Choose the customer resolution after reviewing the evidence, your store’s policy and the obligations that apply to the order. Do not ask a customer to return an item they report never receiving merely to fit the issue into a returns workflow. ### The shipment record is incomplete or inconsistent A tracking number may be absent, attached to the wrong fulfillment or available in the supplier’s store but not yet visible in the retailer’s order. Check the existing records before changing them. [Shopify’s tracking guidance](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/order-status-page/order-tracking) explains that tracking can be added during or after fulfillment. Supported carriers can provide shipment updates; other carriers may require a direct tracking URL. The presence of a number alone does not explain the shipment’s current movement. Ask the team that owns the shipment to confirm the item quantities and tracking details. Correct the record through the appropriate fulfillment workflow. Avoid marking unrelated items as fulfilled to make the order appear complete. ## Follow supplier shipments through FulfillRelay FulfillRelay connects retailers with suppliers who each operate their own Shopify store. Approved product mappings route eligible paid order lines to the appropriate supplier. The supplier accepts and fulfills the work in its own store, and tracking synchronizes back to the retailer’s original order. See the [FulfillRelay supplier workflow](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing). When handling a missing-item report, compare the routed line, the supplier’s fulfilled quantity and the tracking returned to the retailer order. Supplier acceptance or payment evidence alone does not establish shipment. If the supplier’s tracking is not visible on the retailer order, inspect the existing handoff and any displayed exception. Background processing can take time. Follow the [supplier tracking checks](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-supplier-tracking-sync) before creating another supplier order. A duplicate handoff can add uncertainty to a case that already needs reconciliation. Your support response still needs to explain each outstanding item and its next step. ## Write a customer update that matches the facts Use the item name, quantity, current evidence and next action. These examples can be adapted once the relevant facts are confirmed. ### A separate shipment is in transit “Your bottle arrived in the first parcel. One spare lid is traveling separately with [carrier]. You can follow that shipment here: [tracking link]. The second lid does not yet have a confirmed dispatch update. We’re checking it with the supplier and will update you by [date, time and time zone].” ### Dispatch has not been verified “We’ve checked your order and have not yet verified shipment of [item and quantity]. We’re checking its dispatch status with [supplier or fulfillment team]. We’ll send you the next update by [date, time and time zone].” ### The parcel contents need investigation “The shipment record includes [item and quantity], but you’ve told us those units were missing from the parcel. We’re checking the packing details with the fulfillment team. [Relevant evidence request, if needed.] We’ll update you by [date, time and time zone].” Keep unresolved units visible in the reply. If one item is traveling and another is awaiting dispatch, explain both. ## Prevent the next ambiguous shipment update Use these checks before sending a shipping confirmation or closing a missing-item case: 1. Confirm that the fulfillment contains the intended variants and quantities 2. Match its carrier and tracking details to that shipment 3. Review any units that remain unfulfilled 4. Check which customer notification will be sent and whether it describes the correct items 5. Assign unresolved quantities to someone with a next action and update time For merchant-managed partial fulfillment, Shopify lets you enter the quantities to fulfill and choose whether to notify the customer. Its [individual fulfillment guidance](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/fulfilling-orders/single-fulfillment) also notes that separate fulfillments can generate separate shipping confirmations. Review the applicable workflow before making changes, especially when a fulfillment service controls the order’s fulfillment status. A useful final case note accounts for every disputed unit: received according to the customer, traveling with identified tracking, awaiting dispatch or handled through an explicitly recorded resolution. Include the evidence and the next owner where work remains. Start with one recent missing-item report and trace each quantity. That small check can reveal whether your team needs a better shipment explanation, a supplier update or a packing investigation. For connected Shopify suppliers, [explore FulfillRelay](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) and follow the same order line from handoff to tracking returned. ## Sources 1. [Shopify’s order status definitions](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/managing-orders/order-status)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-01 12:13:00 UTC 2. [Fulfillment reference](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/Fulfillment)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-01 12:13:00 UTC 3. [Shopify’s fulfillment events](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/enums/FulfillmentEventStatus)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-01 12:13:00 UTC 4. [order status page supports partial fulfillments](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/order-status-page/understanding-order-status-pages)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-01 12:13:00 UTC 5. [Shopify’s tracking guidance](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/setup/order-status-page/order-tracking)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-01 12:13:00 UTC 6. [FulfillRelay supplier workflow](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing)FulfillRelay · Checked 2026-10-01 12:13:00 UTC 7. [supplier tracking checks](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-supplier-tracking-sync)FulfillRelay · Checked 2026-10-01 12:13:00 UTC 8. [individual fulfillment guidance](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/fulfillment/fulfilling-orders/single-fulfillment)Shopify · Checked 2026-10-01 12:13:00 UTC From the FulfillRelay team · FulfillRelay ## Put this check into your supplier workflow. Route eligible paid orders to the supplier you already work with, follow every handoff and bring tracking back to the original order. [Explore FulfillRelay on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=blog-shopify-missing-item-split-shipment-checklist) [See how order routing works](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) [Bring your supplier in](https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier) Both your store and your supplier use Shopify. Supplier Connect is free. ## Continue with the guides - [FulfillRelay supplier workflow](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) - [Supplier tracking checks](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-supplier-tracking-sync) --- Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/ai-chat-and-supplier-fulfillment-on-shopify Published: 2026-10-01T03:23:09.450Z Updated: 2026-10-01T03:47:45.746Z [← Blog](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog) Shopify operations # AI Chat and Supplier Fulfillment on Shopify: A Practical Workflow When a shopper asks whether an order will arrive in time, the answer depends on more than the shipping policy. You need to know which supplier has the order and which items have shipped. Here is how to keep customer answers connected to that work. By [FulfillRelay Team](https://fulfillrelay.com/about) · Published September 30, 2026 · Updated September 30, 2026 **In this article** ## Start with the customer question and the supplier handoff Algoshop provides an AI sales chatbot for Shopify, with product questions and customer support among its listed features. [\[1\]](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/ai-chat-and-supplier-fulfillment-on-shopify#source-algoshop-pricing) FulfillRelay handles supplier order routing. You connect the Shopify suppliers you work with, approve product mappings, route eligible paid order lines and bring supplier tracking back to the original order. [\[2\]](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/ai-chat-and-supplier-fulfillment-on-shopify#source-fulfillrelay-routing) Decide who keeps product and shipping information up to date, and who handles questions that need a supplier’s confirmation. A clear handoff to your team is more useful to a shopper than a delivery promise you cannot confirm. ## Follow the items, not just the order status Before checkout, use the current catalog and your store’s shipping policy to answer product and delivery questions. If an arrival date depends on stock or handling time, check with the supplier before promising it. After checkout, check the individual order lines. In FulfillRelay, routing depends on approved SKU mappings. Items that need attention remain visible for review, so check for exceptions before treating the supplier handoff as complete. [\[3\]](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/ai-chat-and-supplier-fulfillment-on-shopify#source-sku-routing) Once the supplier ships, check which items and quantities the tracking update covers. FulfillRelay matches supplier fulfillment information back to the retailer order, including partial shipments. [\[4\]](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/ai-chat-and-supplier-fulfillment-on-shopify#source-tracking-guide) If an order contains two items and only one has tracking, tell the shopper which item has shipped and what happens next for the other. One package moving does not mean the whole order is on its way. ## Test a few common situations before launch Use a development store to check one mapped product, one unmapped item and a partial shipment. Look at both the customer conversation and the order records. - Ask a product question with a known answer. Does the response match the catalog and shipping policy? - Ask something that needs a person, such as a delivery date the supplier has not confirmed. Can the shopper reach your team? - Check a paid order line against its supplier mapping. Did it go to the right supplier and match the right item? - Check an unmapped item. Can your team see what needs attention? - Test a partial shipment. Do the supplier record, retailer order and customer answer agree on what has shipped? - Check that a shopper cannot retrieve someone else’s order details. ## Make the next step for returns easy to find When a shopper wants to return an item, direct them to your store’s return process. FulfillRelay Returns provides a branded portal for requests and evidence collection. Your team reviews the request and decides how to resolve it. [\[5\]](https://fulfillrelay.com/blog/ai-chat-and-supplier-fulfillment-on-shopify#source-returns-app) Keep a short record of incorrect answers, routing exceptions and shipment mismatches during testing. Fix those gaps before adding more products or suppliers. ## Sources 1. [Algoshop pricing and plan features](https://algoshop.ai/pricing/)Algoshop · Checked 2026-10-01 02:27:50 UTC 2. [Shopify Supplier Order Routing](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing)FulfillRelay · Checked 2026-10-01 02:27:50 UTC 3. [Route Shopify orders to suppliers by SKU](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing)FulfillRelay · Checked 2026-10-01 02:27:50 UTC 4. [Sync supplier tracking back to Shopify orders](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-supplier-tracking-sync)FulfillRelay · Checked 2026-10-01 02:27:50 UTC 5. [Shopify Returns Portal and Management](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app)FulfillRelay · Checked 2026-10-01 02:27:50 UTC From the FulfillRelay team · FulfillRelay ## Put this check into your supplier workflow. Route eligible paid orders to the supplier you already work with, follow every handoff and bring tracking back to the original order. [Explore FulfillRelay on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=blog-ai-chat-and-supplier-fulfillment-on-shopify) [See how order routing works](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) [Bring your supplier in](https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier) Both your store and your supplier use Shopify. Supplier Connect is free. ## Continue with the guides - [Set up exact SKU routing](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing) - [Follow supplier tracking back to Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-supplier-tracking-sync) - [Manage return requests with FulfillRelay Returns](https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app) --- # Current product videos — full transcripts ## FulfillRelay: supplier orders and customer returns Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#tour Published: 2026-10-10T08:00:00+00:00 Video: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo/fulfillrelay-tour-20261010-v1.mp4 Captions: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo/fulfillrelay-tour-20261010-v1.vtt Less chasing, more running your store. See supplier order routing with FulfillRelay and customer returns with FulfillRelay Returns. 00:00 — Supplier orders. Customer returns. So much chasing. 00:06 — Meet FulfillRelay. Two focused Shopify apps, built around your operation. 00:12 — FulfillRelay connects your store to the suppliers you already work with. Match each product to an exact supplier SKU. Route eligible paid orders and watch tracking flow back to your customer’s order. 00:23 — FulfillRelay Returns gives customers a branded portal with email verification. You see the photos and the rules, get optional AI suggestions, and make every decision yourself. 00:34 — Start free with five return cases a month. Less chasing. More running your store. ## FulfillRelay and FulfillRelay Returns Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#overview Published: 2026-09-11T21:47:57+00:00 Video: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo/fulfillrelay-overview-lively-20260911-v1.mp4 Captions: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo/fulfillrelay-overview-lively-20260911-v1.vtt Find the workflow for your store: supplier order routing with FulfillRelay, or customer returns with FulfillRelay Returns. 00:00 — Orders going out. Returns coming in. Two different jobs. Give each one a clear workflow. 00:07 — FulfillRelay connects your Shopify store with your existing suppliers. Match products, route eligible orders, and get tracking back. 00:16 — FulfillRelay Returns gives customers a branded portal, and you a workspace to review requests and decide what happens next. 00:26 — Need supplier order routing? Start with FulfillRelay. Managing customer returns? Choose FulfillRelay Returns. 00:34 — Separate apps. Separate subscriptions. Explore both at fulfillrelay.com. ## FulfillRelay: supplier orders and tracking Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#main-intro Published: 2026-09-11T21:47:57+00:00 Video: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo/fulfillrelay-main-lively-20260911-v1.mp4 Captions: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo/fulfillrelay-main-lively-20260911-v1.vtt Keep your existing suppliers, route eligible Shopify orders and bring tracking back to the original order. 00:00 — A new order. Great. Another email to your supplier? Not so great. 00:05 — Keep the suppliers you already work with. Connect your Shopify stores with FulfillRelay. 00:12 — Take this sweater. Match it to the exact supplier variant, then get their approval. 00:18 — Now, route eligible paid orders. Anything that needs attention stays visible. 00:25 — Your supplier accepts and fulfills in their own Shopify store. 00:30 — Tracking comes back to the original order. Less chasing. A clearer handoff. 00:36 — Start small. Follow one order all the way through. That’s FulfillRelay. ## FulfillRelay Returns: customer returns Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#returns-intro Published: 2026-09-11T21:47:57+00:00 Video: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo/fulfillrelay-returns-lively-20260911-v1.mp4 Captions: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo/fulfillrelay-returns-lively-20260911-v1.vtt Bring return requests, photos and rules together, with clear decisions controlled by your store. 00:00 — Can I return this? A simple question. A messy email thread. 00:05 — Give customers your branded returns portal. They verify their order email before choosing an item. 00:12 — See the reason, photos, and return rules together. No digging through separate messages. 00:19 — You approve or decline. Optional AI suggestions can help. Refunds remain a separate decision. 00:27 — Follow the return through shipping and receipt, then review any refund before confirming it. 00:33 — Start free with five return cases a month. FulfillRelay Returns works on its own. ## Get started with FulfillRelay Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#main-start Published: 2026-09-10T00:00:00-04:00 Video: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo/fulfillrelay-main-start-20260910-v4.mp4 Captions: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo/fulfillrelay-main-start-20260910-v4.vtt Connect your supplier, match a product and follow your first order. 00:00 — Install FulfillRelay in your Shopify store. Your supplier installs it in their own store to receive your orders. 00:10 — Add your supplier and send an invitation. They accept the connection and choose their receiving Shopify store. 00:20 — Choose your product and its supplier SKU. Your supplier confirms the exact variant and settlement price. 00:30 — Find paid orders with approved product matches. Review any items that need attention before routing. 00:39 — Your supplier accepts and fulfills the order in Shopify. Tracking returns to your original customer order. 00:49 — Review the covered orders and total, then continue to Shopify checkout. Your supplier receives payment directly. 00:59 — Connect one supplier, match one product and follow your first eligible order. Get started at fulfillrelay.com. ## Get started with FulfillRelay Returns Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#returns-start Published: 2026-09-10T00:00:00-04:00 Video: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo/fulfillrelay-returns-start-20260910-v3.mp4 Captions: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo/fulfillrelay-returns-start-20260910-v3.vtt Publish your rules, share your portal and manage each return through resolution. 00:00 — Install FulfillRelay Returns for a dedicated returns workspace. It works independently of the main FulfillRelay app. 00:11 — Choose your return window and review requirements. Publish your rules and select the customer updates to send. 00:20 — Add your portal link to your store. Customers enter their order number and the email used at checkout. 00:29 — Customers enter the code sent to their order email before choosing an item and submitting their return request. 00:39 — Review the reason, photos and return-rule results together. Ask for an optional AI suggestion when you need support. 00:50 — Approve or decline the request yourself. Approved returns move to return shipping; refunds are confirmed separately. 01:01 — Upload a carrier-prepared label PDF, record the returned item and review any refund before confirming it. 01:11 — Get five return cases and five optional AI reviews each month. Install from Shopify at fulfillrelay.com/returns-app. --- # Public worksheets and partner material ## supplier-routing-checklist.txt Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/resources/supplier-routing-checklist.txt ```text SHOPIFY SUPPLIER ROUTING CHECKLIST Free planning worksheet by FulfillRelay — https://fulfillrelay.com SUPPLIER CONNECTION [ ] Retailer and supplier each have their own Shopify store [ ] Existing commercial relationship and responsible contacts confirmed [ ] Both apps installed and connection accepted EXACT VARIANT Retailer SKU / variant: ____________________ Supplier SKU / variant: ____________________ Agreed supplier price and currency: ____________________ [ ] Supplier approved the exact match and settlement terms FIRST ELIGIBLE ORDER [ ] Paid retailer order is eligible for the workflow [ ] Supplier received only its mapped lines and correct quantities [ ] Unmapped items remain visible for attention [ ] Supplier acceptance recorded [ ] Payment evidence checked separately from fulfillment [ ] Tracking recorded by supplier and matched back to retailer order [ ] Any partial shipment quantities and exceptions reviewed This worksheet does not import data into an app. Keep completed worksheets in your own records; do not send customer/order data to a promoter. Tutorial: https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing Plans: https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing ``` ## returns-review-checklist.txt Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/resources/returns-review-checklist.txt ```text SHOPIFY RETURNS REVIEW CHECKLIST Free process worksheet by FulfillRelay Returns — https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app SETUP [ ] Return window and evidence requirements are published [ ] Customer portal link is visible in the store [ ] Customer can verify access through their order email CASE REVIEW [ ] Correct item and requested quantity [ ] Customer reason and supplied evidence reviewed [ ] Published rule result understood [ ] Optional AI suggestion reviewed as advice only [ ] Human approval or decline recorded RETURN AND REFUND [ ] Approved return has clear return-shipping instructions [ ] Any carrier-prepared PDF label matches the return [ ] Receipt/inspection recorded where required [ ] Refund amount and destination reviewed separately [ ] Refund confirmed by authorized person and outcome verified This is an operational worksheet, not a return policy or legal advice. Your published store terms and applicable obligations still apply. Keep customer details in your own secured systems. Free plan: 5 cases and 5 optional AI reviews/month. Postage separate. Tutorial: https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/free-shopify-returns-portal Plans: https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/returns ``` ## fulfillrelay-partner-kit.txt Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/partners/fulfillrelay-partner-kit.txt ```text FulfillRelay partner product kit — September 11, 2026 Two independent Shopify apps by Boreal Meridian Commerce Inc. FULFILLRELAY For retailers working with existing suppliers who also use Shopify. Approved variant mappings route eligible paid order lines; suppliers fulfill in their own stores and tracking syncs back. Retailer plans from $49 USD/month; Supplier Connect free. Supplier discovery is not included. Supplier acceptance and payment remain distinct steps. Product: https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing Plans: https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing Worked example: https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing Tutorial + transcript: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#main-start Video: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo/fulfillrelay-main-start-20260910-v4.mp4 English captions: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo/fulfillrelay-main-start-20260910-v4.vtt FULFILLRELAY RETURNS For a Shopify store needing a branded email-verified returns portal, published rules and human case decisions. Optional AI is advisory. Carrier-prepared PDF labels can be uploaded; return approval and refund confirmation are separate. Free: 5 cases and 5 optional AI reviews/month. Starter $19/50, Growth $49/300, Pro $99/1,000; prices USD/month. No Main subscription or supplier relationship needed. Carrier postage is separate. Product: https://fulfillrelay.com/returns-app Plans: https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/returns Walkthrough: https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/free-shopify-returns-portal Tutorial + transcript: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#returns-start Video: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo/fulfillrelay-returns-start-20260910-v3.mp4 English captions: https://fulfillrelay.com/demo/fulfillrelay-returns-start-20260910-v3.vtt PARTNERSHIPS Commission only, based on qualifying collected subscriptions under a written agreement. No upfront fees, retainers or paid placements. Agree the rate, duration, attribution and settlement before promotion. Request your channel code and register merchant introductions with their permission at support@fulfillrelay.com. Do not send customer/order records. Clicks are not confirmed installs or earned commission. Free plans, trials and reversed charges do not generate commission. Disclose your referral relationship. Present actual use and limitations; do not claim an independent award or guaranteed savings. Contact: https://fulfillrelay.com/partners ```