StoreFulfil Library

Receive and Identify an Incoming Return

Receive a return as an anonymous parcel, prove its identity from the available evidence, and hand off only a supported match for processing.

How-to
Updated Aug 2026
Owner: Operations Admin
Area: Inbound Returns

Before you begin

Move an incoming parcel from anonymous receipt to a confidently identified return before any line is processed or restocked.

Prerequisites

  • The parcel has been physically received.
  • The worker can record the parcel or evidence reference without guessing identity.
  • A Warehouse Admin can resolve an item or client match when needed.

Stop and check

Do not invent an order number, client, or SKU from packaging alone.

Before you open the return

  1. Keep the parcel with the received returns pile until you can inspect it.
  2. Have the parcel reference, packing material, labels, and enclosed items available as evidence.
  3. Open the return workflow for the intended client only after the evidence points to that client.

What the receipt state means

StateWhat it meansSafe next step
Received, not identifiedThe parcel is physically in the warehouse, but StoreFulfil does not yet have proof of its client or order.Inspect the parcel and items; do not create a guessed return record.
Identity supportedAn item, order reference, or other evidence supports the client and return relationship.Open or create the matching return, then record each item condition.
Identity unresolvedThe available evidence does not safely link the parcel to an order, client, or SKU.Keep the return unprocessed and hand the evidence to a Warehouse Admin.

Identify before processing

  1. Open the parcel and compare its contents with the available return label, packing slip, item identifiers, and order reference.
  2. Use the strongest available evidence to find the client and matching order or return record.
  3. When the match is supported, record the return and classify each line as good, damaged, or writeoff.
  4. When no match is supported, leave the parcel in the received pile and pass the evidence to a Warehouse Admin.

Safe boundary

Do not guess an order number, client, or SKU from packaging alone. An unidentified parcel is a controlled exception, not inventory that can be restocked.

Escalation evidence

  1. Parcel or receipt reference
  2. Any label, packing-slip, or item identifier observed
  3. Candidate client or order matches and why they were not sufficient
  4. The current identification result and the time received

Expected Outcome

The parcel is either linked to a supported return for condition processing or remains an auditable, unprocessed identification case.

Runbook evidence

Use these signals to decide whether the work is ready to continue, complete, or needs an owner.

State checkpoints

Received pile

The parcel is in custody but no order or client identity is proven.

Next: Open and inspect it, then capture the available item evidence.

Identified

The item and client/order relationship is supported by evidence.

Next: Create or open the return and classify every line.

Unable to identify

The evidence does not safely prove an order, client, or SKU.

Next: Keep the parcel unprocessed and hand the evidence to an Admin.

Completion evidence

  • The parcel has a recorded identity or a clearly owned unidentified-return case.

Escalation evidence

  • Record the parcel reference, item evidence, candidate matches, and identification result.

Work safely

Who may take this action

Warehouse Operator for receipt and evidence capture; Warehouse Admin for identity decisions

What you should see

The parcel is in custody but no order or client identity is proven.

Safe next step

Open and inspect it, then capture the available item evidence.

What not to do

Do not invent an order number, client, or SKU from packaging alone.

How to tell it is complete

The parcel has a recorded identity or a clearly owned unidentified-return case.