Returns Shipping Calculator

What Is a Good Return Rate?

Return rates vary significantly by category. General e-commerce averages 10-15%. Apparel and shoes run 25-40%, especially with online-only brands. Electronics average 15-20%. Anything perishable or consumable is typically 2-5%. If your return rate is above category average, packaging, product descriptions, and sizing guides are usually the first places to investigate.

Prepaid Labels vs. Customer-Paid Returns

Prepaid return labels improve customer experience and conversion rates - studies show free returns increase purchase likelihood by 15-30%. The tradeoff is cost. A middle-ground approach that many sellers use: include a prepaid return label in the box only for orders above a certain value, or offer a restocking fee that offsets part of the label cost.

How to Reduce Return Shipping Costs

• Use a multi-carrier platform (ShipStation, Pirateship, EasyPost) for discounted label rates
• Set a return window and only accept returns within 30 days
• Improve product photography and descriptions to reduce buyer regret returns
• For apparel, detailed size guides and fit information reduce size-related returns significantly
• Negotiate return label rates directly with carriers once you hit volume thresholds