The default handling or restocking fee applied to returns.
Where to find it
Settings > Returns > Policies, under Return Policies.
[Screenshot: Policies tab — Handling / Restocking fee type and percentage fields]
What this is
Type | How it's calculated |
None | No fee charged |
Percentage | A share of the value of returned goods |
Fixed amount per item | A flat fee for each item returned |
Fixed amount per return | A flat fee once per return, regardless of item count |
When a type is selected, a second field appears for the amount or percentage.
How the fee is collected — deducted from the refund or charged by card at submission — is controlled by Deduct fees from resolution on the Setup tab.
What the customer sees
The fee appears in the financial breakdown on the review screen before the customer submits.
[Screenshot: Return portal review screen showing a restocking fee line item]
Considerations
Percentage scales with order value.
Fixed per item tracks actual handling cost, which is similar for cheap and expensive items — but is proportionally large on low-value returns.
Fixed per return doesn't penalize returning several items at once — relevant for customers who order multiple sizes intending to keep one.
Restocking fees reduce return volume, and can also affect repurchase behavior. Targeted fees via Exceptions are an alternative to a blanket fee.
Common exceptions
No fee when the return reason is a defect or wrong item
No fee when the customer chooses store credit or an exchange
Higher fee on categories that are expensive to inspect and restock
Related settings
Deduct fees from resolution — how the fee is collected
Label sponsor — the other cost customers may bear