ReturnKit

Getting started

ReturnKit works as soon as it's activated. The steps below take about five minutes and make sure customers can find it and know where to send parcels.

1. Install and activate

  1. In WordPress, go to Plugins → Add New, search for ReturnKit, then click Install and Activate. If you have the zip file, upload it under Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin instead.
  2. WooCommerce must be active. ReturnKit shows a notice and does nothing until it is.
  3. You land on Returns → Dashboard. ReturnKit adds its own Returns menu item next to WooCommerce.

On activation ReturnKit:

  • creates two published pages:
    • Returns (/returns/), holding [returnkit_portal]
    • Withdraw from contract (/withdraw-from-contract/), holding [returnkit_withdrawal]
  • adds a Returns section to My Account (/my-account/returns/);
  • turns on returns (30 days from completion) and the EU withdrawal function (14 days) with safe defaults.

2. Add your return address

Customers get the address when you approve their return. Without it, the approval email doesn't say where to send the parcel.

  1. Go to Returns → Settings → Sending items back and refunds.
  2. Fill in Return address. Optionally write your own Return instructions; leave it empty to use the default text.
  3. Click Save changes.

The dashboard shows a Finish setting up returns card until the Returns page is published and the address is set.

3. Check your returns policy

Under Returns → Settings → Returns, check:

  • Return period (default 30 days) and when the period starts (when the order is completed, or when it's placed);
  • Order statuses that can be returned (default: Completed);
  • Reasons customers choose from.

Under Items that can't be returned, choose what to exclude: digital and virtual products (on by default), sale items, or whole categories. To exclude a single product, edit it and tick Product data → Advanced → Not returnable.

4. If you sell to EU consumers: finish the withdrawal checklist

The dashboard has an EU withdrawal checklist. Each line is green when done, red when it needs fixing, or neutral when ReturnKit can't check it and you should look yourself. The one that usually needs you:

"Withdraw from contract here" link on every page. The law asks for the function to be easy to find. Do one of these:

  • turn on Settings → EU withdrawal function → Link in the site footer;
  • add the Withdraw from contract page to your footer menu;
  • place [returnkit_withdrawal_button] in a footer widget or block.

Then open your shop in a private window and check that the link shows.

If you run WooCommerce 11.1 or newer, also make sure WooCommerce's own Order withdrawal feature is off, so customers find only one form. See EU withdrawal.

5. Try it

  1. Log in as a test customer with a completed order, or place one and mark it Completed.
  2. Go to My Account → Returns and click Return items on the order. Choose an item, a quantity and a reason, and submit.
  3. In wp-admin, open Returns → Requests, then the new request. Click Approve return, then Mark received, then Refund.
  4. Check the customer's emails and the request's History.

To test the withdrawal flow, open the Withdraw from contract page in a private window, fill in the form, and confirm on the next screen. The general form shows a neutral confirmation; the acknowledgement email has the link to the withdrawal.

What next

  • Returns explains the whole flow, statuses and guest links.
  • EU withdrawal explains what the law asks for and how ReturnKit meets it.
  • Settings reference covers every option.
  • Emails lists the emails and where to edit them.