Docs Returns for WooCommerce How to Use the Returns & Exchanges Center

How to Use the Returns & Exchanges Center

The Returns & Exchanges Center gives you a centralized dashboard to view, filter, approve, reject, and delete return and exchange requests — without leaving WooCommerce.

WooCommerce → Returns Center

Request Statuses

  • Return Requested — the customer submitted a return request. A notification email is sent to the customer and admin.
  • Return Approved — the admin approved the return. A notification email is sent to the customer.
  • Return Rejected — the admin rejected the return. A notification email is sent to the customer.
  • Return Cancelled — the customer cancelled their request. A notification email is sent to the admin.
  • Return Completed — the admin marked the return as complete (refund processed). Items are restocked at this step if Automatically Restock is enabled.
  • Exchange Requested — the customer submitted an exchange request. A notification email is sent to the customer and admin.
  • Exchange Approved — the admin approved the exchange; a child order is created for the replacement item. A notification email is sent to the customer.
  • Exchange Rejected — the admin rejected the exchange. A notification email is sent to the customer.
  • Exchange Cancelled — the customer cancelled their exchange request. A notification email is sent to the admin.
  • Exchange Completed — the admin marked the exchange as complete.

Dashboard Quick Actions

From the Returns Center dashboard, use the quick action buttons on each row to approve, reject, or permanently delete a request. Admins can permanently delete unapproved or cancelled requests from the database.

Returns Center dashboard showing the list of return requests with approve, reject, and delete quick actions

Return & Exchange Items Panel (Order Edit Page)

A Return Requests metabox appears in the sidebar of the order edit screen for every order that has a return or exchange request. It shows all request details and lets you approve or reject directly from the order.

WooCommerce → Orders → [Order] → Return Requests (sidebar panel)
  • Return and Exchange Item Details — product name, quantity, price, and reason for each item in the request.
  • Quick Actions — approve or reject the request directly from the order edit page.
Return Requests panel showing Return Requested status with approve and reject buttons
Return Requested status
Return Requests panel showing Exchange Requested status
Exchange Requested status
Return Requests panel showing Return Approved status
Return Approved status
Return Requests panel showing Exchange Approved status
Exchange Approved status
Return Requests panel showing Return Rejected status
Return Rejected status
Return Requests panel showing Exchange Rejected status
Exchange Rejected status

Order Status Changes

  • Return order status — set when all eligible items in an order have been returned and all return requests (full or partial) have been approved.
  • Partial Return order status — set when a single eligible item has been returned and its return request (partial or complete) has been approved.

Next Steps