Tips for Combatting Higher Ground Shipping & Delivery Costs
Let me say it plainly: Ground shipping is no longer cheap. Not in 2025. The economy-tier services ecommerce brands relied on to keep costs down are rising faster than any other mode. And the kicker? You probably didn’t notice because they rose quietly. Just a few cents here, a new surcharge there. But it’s compounding…fast.
According to the latest TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index, economy ground parcel rates rose nearly 7.5% year-over-year in Q2 2025. That’s faster than air. Faster than LTL. And definitely faster than most brands can react.
Also, ground parcel rates hit 32% above the January 2018 baseline in Q2, an all-time high, even though average diesel prices fell. That tells you rate increases aren’t tied to fuel, they’re strategic margin plays.
Why is ground shipping getting more expensive?
FedEx and UPS aren’t running charities. In 2025, both carriers quietly inflated their accessorial fees, extended delivery-area surcharges (DAS), and repriced how they interpret “residential” addresses.
UPS, for example, now applies a Remote Area Surcharge to 15% more ZIP codes than in 2024. Combine that with the standard rate increases, and you’re looking at a 10–15% total effective increase for some DTC brands shipping to suburbs.
What’s driving it?
- FedEx’s network restructuring under its “Network 2.0” initiative
- UPS’s post-Teamsters contract cost recovery
- Fewer economy packages post-COVID peak = lower density = higher per-package costs
- Carriers are padding revenue per stop while demand softens
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I'm Interested in Saving Time and MoneyThe Hidden Cost Curve: What the Data Tells Us
The logistics world has been quietly boiling, and most ecommerce operators don’t even realize how cooked they are until the Q4 freight invoices hit like a hammer. That’s why I wanted to step back and show what’s really going on with ground shipping costs, both over time and across weight and zone variables.
When you zoom out, the real story isn’t just one rate hike or another DAS update; it’s the slow, compounding weight of cost acceleration over time. That’s why we analyzed both the long-term parcel index trend and current 2025 rate tables from UPS and FedEx to show what’s happening beneath the surface.
Ground Parcel Index Trend (2018–2025): The Slow Burn That’s Now a Blaze
First, we charted the TD Cowen/AFS Ground Parcel Index from 2018 to 2025. This isn’t just any index; it’s an aggregated pulse check on ground parcel shipping costs across major carriers (UPS, FedEx, and USPS), normalized for inflation, fuel surcharges, and accessorial fees.
If you look at the trendline, you’ll see a gentle incline in the early years. Then 2020 hits. COVID disruptions + ecommerce boom = a sharp climb in rates. What’s surprising, though, is what happened next. You might expect some post-pandemic relief. Nope. The index kept climbing. By Q2 2025, it’s at its highest level ever, driven not by pandemic chaos, but by calculated carrier pricing strategies, DIM weight enforcement, and fewer carrier incentives for SMBs.
Takeaway: If you’re budgeting based on 2022 assumptions, you’re underwater. Index data shows that ground rates have structurally shifted up, and the new normal is…not normal at all. There’s a new silent tax on every ecommerce order, especially for brands that haven’t updated their logistics strategies in years.
Chart 1: FedEx and UPS Ground Parcel Index (2018–2025).

Billed Weight vs. Cost-Per-Package (Multi-Zone): The Hidden Geometry of Shipping Pain
The second chart shows the cost curve for shipping a package via ground, depending on billed weight and destination zone. This was derived by synthesizing rate tables from the official 2025 UPS and FedEx rate guides you can download right now. We simulated realistic pricing across Zones 2 through 8, for packages up to 50 lbs.
What becomes clear fast is this:
- Zone distance has a nonlinear impact. The same 10 lb box costs nearly 30–40% more to ship to Zone 8 than Zone 2.
- Weight-based costs aren’t flat. Each extra pound adds more than just weight; it multiplies cost, especially past the 10–15 lb range where rate brackets steepen.
- You’re probably getting crushed on midweight, long-zone shipments. That 18 lb box going to Zone 7 is silently eroding your margin every time you offer free shipping.
Takeaway: The average ecommerce merchant is overpaying because they’re not engineering for zone or weight efficiency. They’re just printing labels and hoping for the best. Big mistake.
Chart 2: Billed Weight vs. Cost-Per-Package by Zone (FedEx & UPS, 2025).

Key insights include:
- Zone escalation is brutal. The same 3 lb package can cost 2× as much going to Zone 8 versus Zone 2. A single-warehouse model is bleeding you dry on long-haul orders.
- Billed weight ≠ actual weight. Dimensional weight pricing inflates cost, especially when packaging isn’t optimized. A 2 lb item in a 12 × 12 × 10 box can be billed at 8+ lbs.
- Carrier policies diverge fast. USPS Ground Advantage offers strong pricing in Zones 2–5 for lightweight packages, while UPS’s negotiated discounts become more competitive at higher weights and volumes. FedEx Ground Economy still has a niche in deferred delivery, but fewer merchants rely on it due to limitations on delivery speed and flexibility (e.g., cannot deliver to PO Boxes).
- Flat rate isn’t always flat. Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes are convenient, but often more expensive than zone-based pricing for 2–5 lb packages going to Zones 2–4.
Takeaway: Don’t just look at average shipping cost. Build a dynamic model that accounts for zone distribution, dimensional weight risk, and carrier behavior. It sounds scarier than it really is: modern technology can help. For the rest of 2025 and into 2026, optimizing for billable weight and fulfillment geography isn’t a “nice-to-have.” It’s a survival strategy.
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Get My Free 3PL RFPPractical Advice for Q3/Q4 2025 and Into 2026
So what’s the fix? Firstly, we’re seeing that brands are shifting lower-value, lightweight shipments to slower, economy service tiers, like FedEx Ground Economy or UPS Ground Saver, to soften cost spikes. But while slowing down your low-value shipments can help, it shouldn’t be the only lever you pull. You still have customer expectations to meet. Let’s dig into how you can keep up, fiercely and intelligently.
1. Shift Volume Strategically, Don’t Just Rant About Rates
The index shows that shippers are diverting lightweight parcels to slower service levels this quarter. That shift drove down cost per package but raised average billed weight, leading to surprising rate hikes in the index data.
Here’s what to test:
- Pilot deferred services for small items (under 2–3 lbs) and see if the slower ETA is worth the savings.
- Never just blanket shift—test geographically. Maybe shift East Coast to Ground Saver and keep West on Priority.
That data-backed nuance lets you stay lean without tanking delivery promises.
2. Audit Surcharges Like a Hunter, Because Carriers Are Hunting Yours
UPS raised its ground fuel surcharge by 15%, FedEx by 12%, even though diesel dropped by 8% YoY. That’s not cost pass-through, it’s revenue arbitrage.
And surcharges aren’t limited to fuel. UPS added fees for:
- Print services
- Payment processing
- Paper invoices
- Zone realignment errors
Every surprise fee is a profit leak if you don’t audit. Run monthly invoice audits using a service such as Refund Retriever or Cahoot’s Carrier Invoice Report to claw back charges and prevent reoccurrence. Benchmark your rates quarterly for visibility over time.
3. Optimize Packaging: Because Every Inch Costs
Don’t ignore the weight/zone multiplier. Carriers LOVE dimensional weight. As zones shift and surcharges rise, oversized packages are now a double penalty. Smart brands:
- Use polybags or bubble mailers for soft goods
- Right-size boxes using cartonization logic
- Use postage scale logs to track size variance
It’s: smaller box → less DIM weight → fewer zones crossed → lower shipping expenses across your program.
4. Leverage USPS When It Makes Sense
With FedEx/UPS squeezing margins, USPS Ground Advantage and Media Mail suddenly look powerful again. They’re slower, yes, but for low-cost items, the trade-off can be entirely worth it.
USPS even rolled out Priority Next-Day service in over 60 markets (and growing), blurring the line between economy and faster options. That’s something to pinch-test.
Note: Priority Mail Next-Day is a separate, contract-only service for businesses with negotiated service agreements that offers next-day delivery to locations within 150 miles of participating USPS locations. Minimum volumes may apply.
5. Customer Communication = Margin Protection
Don’t hide slower service under a free shipping flag. Instead:
- During checkout, call out “Delivered in 4–7 business days via Economy Ground” with real-time tracking links.
- Offer delivery upgrades at purchase for fast-moving or high-value SKUs.
- Use delivery expectations as a conversion tool, not a surprise to the customer.
Clear language prevents complaints, WISMO cases, and refund requests that eat margins.
6. Regional Carriers & Hybrid Last-Mile Models
Major carriers aren’t always cheaper. Some brands are partnering with regional carriers or using local couriers in high-density zones. That often cuts costs without sacrificing delivery time.
Examples I’ve seen work:
- A local carrier picks up in NYC or LA, then delivers packages in bulk to FedEx/UPS/USPS for the final mile.
- A hybrid mix of FedEx/UPS + USPS for rural zones.
This strategy especially helps when mode-shifting lightweight volume away from big carriers. When you’re shipping high volume and low-margin items — think apparel, small electronics, beauty, or anything lightweight — every few cents saved per shipment adds up. These hybrid models help:
- Lower cost-per-package
- Improve delivery coverage in tricky zones
- Avoid rate hikes from major carriers
7. Explore Hybrid Fulfillment
If your 3PL is stuck in one location, you’re likely hitting long zones by default. Spreading inventory closer to customers can drastically reduce the average shipping zone and cost.
8. Re-evaluate your free shipping threshold
If your AOV is $42 and your average shipping cost is $14, you’re giving away margin with every “free” shipment.
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See Scale JourneyFinal Thoughts: Deep Insights You Won’t Hear at Conferences
With national carrier surcharges climbing again, regional and hybrid carrier strategies aren’t a “nice-to-have”; they’re an edge. More brands will shift this way as delivery economics get tighter, especially for free shipping models or returns.
1. Carriers aren’t passing through costs, they’re engineering margin. Fuel surcharge hikes even as diesel drops prove the point.
2. Volume shifting is the insurer of margin in a hypercharged rate environment. But it demands smart segmentation; customers are willing to wait, until they aren’t.
3. Invoice audits deliver net margin boosts. Often reclaiming unseen dollars if you missed subtle new fees.
4. Packaging isn’t just aesthetics, it’s your Zone Minimizer 2.0. Even an inch past the threshold can break the unit cost math.
5. Communication is your invisible margin guardrail. Customers who understand delivery trade-offs don’t return orders or create customer service tickets; they convert quietly and joyfully.
Look, this isn’t a temporary blip; it’s a pricing realignment. There’s blood in the water. And those who treat it like a rounding error are the ones who’ll be squeezed hardest. With carriers shifting to aggressive surcharge strategies and volume declines ongoing, the brands that survive (and thrive) are those that pivot fast, audit hard, and control the conversation.
And you don’t need to choose between slow, cheap shipping and fast, expensive shipping. You need better shipping math. The brands winning in 2025 aren’t necessarily paying less; they’re paying smarter. Every package is a micro-optimization opportunity. And in this new era of quiet cost creep, your bottom line depends on seeing and solving for the full picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I always redirect lightweight shipments to economy services?
If you’re scaling shipping and have many items under 3 lb, testing slower economy options like FedEx Ground Saver or USPS Ground Advantage is smart, especially when rate drops are significant and customer expectations can be managed.
How often should I audit shipping invoices?
Monthly or quarterly audits work best to catch fuel surcharge hikes, zone realignment fees, and other hidden charges that carriers apply mid-cycle without warning.
Are regional carriers worth the complexity?
Yes, in high-density zones they can cut costs by up to 20%, while reducing reliance on large-carrier surcharges. But you need solid tracking and exception management controls in place.
How can I package smarter to reduce DIM weight?
Use cartonization software to right-size boxes, choose bubble mailers or polybags for lightweight items, and keep a log of package size variances, especially if you’re using automated packing stations.
Will shifting ground volume hurt customer satisfaction?
Not if it’s communicated correctly. By clearly labeling delivery expectations and offering optional upgrades at checkout, most customers see slower ground as an acceptable trade-off for free or lower-cost shipping.

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How to Choose the Best Walmart 3PL
I’ve spent the past eight years helping ecommerce businesses grow, ship faster, and adapt to Walmart’s ever-changing fulfillment demands. I work hand-in-hand with warehouse operators and 3PL partners every day. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: not all 3PLs are built to handle Walmart. The right Walmart 3PL should align with your business model and support your long-term goals for growth and efficiency.
So let’s break down how to choose the best Walmart 3PL, whether you’re evaluating Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS), looking to optimize order fulfillment, or just want to avoid hidden costs that quietly eat your margins. Remember, your choice of fulfillment partner can directly impact your business’s success on the Walmart platform, affecting everything from delivery speed to customer satisfaction.
Let’s dive into what matters most when finding the best fulfillment partner for your needs.
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I'm Interested in Saving Time and MoneyWhat Makes Walmart Fulfillment So Different?
Walmart’s ecommerce ecosystem isn’t plug-and-play like Amazon’s FBA. Their fulfillment process is strict, yet flexible, if you know what you’re doing. Sellers need to meet exact fulfillment requirements, comply with shipping speed standards, and deliver a seamless customer experience that rivals their physical stores.
That’s where a solid 3PL comes in.
But what you really need is one that understands the nuances of Walmart Marketplace, offers real-time inventory tracking, and doesn’t vanish when something goes wrong. It’s crucial to choose a 3PL that can seamlessly integrate with Walmart’s systems and your ecommerce platform for efficient operations.
WFS vs. Walmart-Compatible 3PLs
Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) is the default choice. It’s streamlined and deeply integrated. But WFS doesn’t work for every ecommerce seller. In these cases, outsourcing fulfillment to a third-party logistics provider (3PL) can address specific business and fulfillment needs, offering greater flexibility and control.
Why? Because you give up control—over your inventory management, your branding, and sometimes even your pricing flexibility.
A great 3PL, on the other hand, gives you:
- Multi-channel fulfillment
- Fulfillment solutions tailored to your unique needs, ensuring compliance and efficiency
- Flexible shipping options beyond WFS’s constraints
- Lower fulfillment fees (in many cases)
- More control over packaging materials and branding
Many of the sellers I’ve worked with start with WFS, but graduate to a more customized 3PL when their business outgrows the box. As your business evolves, matching different fulfillment solutions to your changing needs drives optimal growth.
Key Factors to Consider
If you’re serious about choosing the right fulfillment partner, here’s what to prioritize:
- Walmart compliance: Can your 3PL fulfill Walmart orders on time and according to spec?
- Fulfillment operations: Do they support fast delivery, accurate order processing, and smooth returns? Look for reliable fulfillment and ensure orders are processed efficiently to meet Walmart’s strict standards.
- Order tracking & shipping carriers: Does the 3PL offer real-time order tracking and integrate with major shipping carriers to provide timely updates and enhance transparency and customer satisfaction?
- Cost savings: Watch out for hidden fees and opaque pricing. Ask for transparency, and consider how shipping rates and weight affect costs.
- Peak season readiness: Can they scale with your volume during Q4 and beyond?
- Technology stack: Are they using order management systems that give you visibility and control?
A strong 3PL partner should also provide value-added services such as custom packaging or kitting, backed by deep supply chain expertise.
I’ve seen sellers burn through 3PLs simply because they didn’t ask the right questions early on. The best ones feel more like partners than vendors, supporting your growth every step of the way.
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Get My Free 3PL RFPInventory Management for Walmart Sellers
Inventory management is the backbone of any successful ecommerce business, and for Walmart sellers it’s even more critical. With customer expectations for fast delivery and reliable service at an all-time high, having the right products in the right place at the right time can make or break your Walmart Marketplace performance.
To stay ahead, Walmart sellers should invest in advanced technology solutions—real-time tracking and robust order management systems that integrate with your ecommerce platform and 3PL.
Outsourcing inventory management to a reliable 3PL unlocks cost savings and efficiency. A trusted partner handles everything from receipt and storage to shipping and returns, freeing your team to focus on customer engagement and growing your business.
Implement best practices like just-in-time replenishment, demand forecasting, and regular audits to fine-tune stock levels, reduce waste, and stay ready to fulfill Walmart orders at a moment’s notice.
In today’s competitive marketplace, effective inventory management is a must for Walmart sellers seeking high customer satisfaction, competitive pricing, and scalable growth.
Cahoot: A Walmart 3PL Built for Marketplace Sellers
Our network is built with Walmart sellers in mind. We help clients meet aggressive same-day shipping SLAs, reduce shipping costs, and avoid chargebacks due to fulfillment mistakes.
Here’s what sets Cahoot apart:
- Walmart-optimized workflows and shipping logic
- Strategically located nationwide fulfillment centers to ensure fast, accurate order processing, and support Walmart’s performance requirements.
- Integrated order routing across channels
- Full transparency with real-time tracking
- Ability to provide temperature control for perishable goods, ensuring compliance with Walmart’s standards
We’re not just managing shipments, we’re helping brands run leaner, faster, and more profitably inside the Walmart ecosystem.
Cahoot’s fulfillment centers are designed to meet Walmart’s requirements for shipping, labeling, and inventory management. Our customer service team efficiently handles inquiries, including order tracking and returns, to enhance the overall customer experience.
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See Scale JourneyFinal Thoughts
Choosing a Walmart 3PL isn’t about picking the biggest name—it’s about aligning your operations with a partner that understands Walmart’s expectations and your growth goals.
If you want a 3PL provider that actively improves your margins, Cahoot’s worth a look.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Walmart 3PL and how is it different from Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS)?
A Walmart 3PL is a third-party logistics provider that helps Marketplace sellers fulfill orders outside of WFS. Unlike WFS, you retain control over inventory, branding, and pricing.
Does Walmart allow sellers to use their own fulfillment partners?
Yes. While Walmart promotes WFS, third-party sellers can use their own 3PLs as long as they meet Walmart’s fulfillment and shipping performance standards.
What are the benefits of using a Walmart 3PL over WFS?
Benefits include more flexible pricing, better control of multi-channel inventory, branded packaging, and scalable peak-season capacity.
How does a Walmart 3PL impact customer satisfaction and shipping speed?
The right 3PL boosts speed and accuracy by reducing processing delays, leading to better reviews and fewer complaints.
How can Cahoot help with Walmart fulfillment?
Cahoot offers Walmart-compliant 3PL services with fast shipping, nationwide coverage, and cost-effective rates, supporting both WFS-alternative and hybrid models.

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Amazon Expands FBA Box Size: What Sellers Need to Know
In this article
4 minutes
The content of this article covers Amazon’s recent FBA box‐size update, the AWD implications, pros and cons of the change, smart questions to ask, seller feedback, Cahoot’s solution, and FAQs—all in one place.
What Really Changed, and Why It Matters
As of June 20, 2025, Amazon raised the maximum allowable carton length for FBA shipments from 25 inches to 36 inches. Width, height, and the 50-pound weight limit remain unchanged. If you’re wondering whether this move is a big deal, the answer is yes, but with caveats.
This change opens the door for smarter packaging strategies. Think: better product bundling, reduced outer box count, and possibly some cost savings on inbound shipping if you optimize correctly. But before you go redesigning every carton, hold up—this doesn’t necessarily extend to AWD (Amazon Warehousing and Distribution), where size restrictions still apply in most cases.
The AWD Confusion Factor
A lot of sellers on Amazon forums and LinkedIn have been asking: “Does this apply to AWD too?” The short answer is: no, not really. AWD still enforces its own packaging criteria, especially around conveyable cartons. One seller summed it up well: “FBA might let me go long now, but AWD’s still playing by the old rulebook.”
The takeaway? Don’t assume this is a one‐size‐fits‐all update. Multichannel sellers and anyone using AWD for upstream storage should keep using separate carton spec templates.
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I'm Interested in Saving Time and MoneyWhy Amazon Made This Move Now
This isn’t random. 2025 has been packed with changes to FBA and AWD capacity policies, fees, and prep requirements. This latest shift comes after Amazon:
- Reduced peak storage limits to ~5 months of forecasted sales
- Rolled out smart storage rate tiers for AWD
- Cracked down on inventory performance metrics
In that context, the 36-inch change looks less like a gift and more like an efficiency nudge. Amazon wants you to ship smarter, not bigger. But if bigger helps you ship smarter, you now have the green light.
The Pros, and the Not-So-Obvious Cons
The Good:
The Gotchas:
Smart Questions to Ask Right Now
- Which of my ASINs can benefit from the 36-inch allowance?
- Are my 3PLs or prep centers even aware of the change?
- Do I need to maintain separate carton rules for FBA vs AWD?
- Is my packaging team trained to avoid dimensional-weight traps?
What Sellers Are Saying
One seller on the forums wrote, “It’s about time… my standard lamps have been costing me extra for repackaging for years.” Another added, “Unless AWD follows suit, this just adds another layer of complexity.”
We’re seeing the same split across LinkedIn: half of the brands are optimistic, the other half are cautious. Everyone wants more flexibility, but not at the cost of downstream penalties or confusion.
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Get My Free 3PL RFPCahoot’s Edge: No Length Caps, No Guesswork
Here’s where we come in. At Cahoot, we don’t impose arbitrary box-length limits. Whether you ship 12 inches or 42 inches, our peer-to-peer fulfillment network accommodates your carton, not the other way around.
And because we operate channel-agnostic, there’s no need to split inventory or set up redundant prep processes just to comply with Amazon’s shifting rules. When Amazon changes the rules, we don’t scramble. Our systems are already built for flexibility.
Final Thought
Amazon’s carton-length change is an opportunity, if you know how to use it. It’s not a magic solution, but for the right SKUs, it can open up serious efficiency. Just make sure your fulfillment strategy isn’t relying on assumptions. Because at Amazon, the rules always change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the new FBA box length limit?
The new maximum is 36 inches in length. Weight (50 lbs max), width, and height restrictions remain the same.
Does this apply to Amazon AWD?
No. AWD still enforces a 25-inch limit for conveyable cartons. Check your spec sheets before making changes.
Will this reduce shipping costs?
It can, especially if you bundle multiple units in one carton. But watch for dimensional weight traps.
Can Cahoot handle boxes over 36 inches?
Yes. Cahoot imposes no size limits on cartons, making it ideal for larger or irregularly shaped products.
Do I need to update my packaging workflows?
Probably. Most sellers will benefit from revisiting their pack plans and checking how their software handles the new dimensions.

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Cahoot vs Veeqo: A Value-Driven Comparison for Modern Ecommerce Sellers
In this article
9 minutes
- At a Glance: Cahoot vs Veeqo
- Pricing Models & Carrier Rates
- Order Routing & Workflow Automation
- Multi-Channel Capabilities
- Inventory & Warehouse Management
- Support & Learning Curve
- Amazon Buy Shipping & SFP
- Data You Can Actually Use
- Built for Amazon Sellers, but Not Owned by Amazon
- Pros & Cons
- Cahoot vs. Veeqo: What Sellers Are Saying
- Final Verdict
- Frequently Asked Questions
When ecommerce sellers start scaling across marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and Shopify, their shipping software can either accelerate that growth or slow them down. Two platforms built to handle multi-channel shipping are Veeqo and Cahoot. Both offer discounted shipping labels and order management tools, but the similarities end there. This in-depth comparison will explore what each software delivers, what it lacks, and which one ultimately supports fast-moving ecommerce teams better.
At a Glance: Cahoot vs Veeqo
Feature
|
Cahoot
|
Veeqo
|
---|---|---|
Multi-Channel Order Import
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Discounted Carrier Rates
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Rate Shopping Across Carriers
|
Yes
(Autonomous) |
Yes
(Basic) |
Bulk Label Printing
|
Yes
(Autonomous) |
Yes
(Traditional) |
Support for Own Carrier Accounts
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Automation Rules & Order Routing
|
Yes
(Highly Configurable) |
Limited to Presets
|
Intelligent Package Selection (Cartonization)
|
Yes (AI-powered)
|
No
|
WMS Features
|
Yes
|
Partial
|
Inventory Visibility
|
Yes
(real-time) |
Yes
(limited granularity) |
Returns Workflow Integration
|
Optional Peer-to-Peer Returns
|
Basic RMA
|
Live Customer Support
|
Yes
(Help Desk, Phone) |
No phone support
|
Amazon Buy Shipping API Certified
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Supports Amazon SFP
|
Yes
|
No
|
Open to 3PLs
|
Yes
|
No
|
Pricing Models & Carrier Rates
Both Cahoot and Veeqo offer access to discounted shipping rates from major carriers like UPS, FedEx, and USPS. Veeqo highlights its access to Amazon-negotiated carrier rates, especially beneficial for FBM sellers. However, it’s worth noting that Cahoot also offers deeply discounted rates through its aggregated carrier network, and unlike Veeqo, sellers aren’t required to be Amazon merchants to access them.
Users have praised Veeqo’s rates in particular, though some feel that the real-world savings depend on volume and location. One user on Trustpilot noted, “Veeqo offers good rates, but it doesn’t always beat what I negotiated directly with FedEx.” That said, having an option for both Veeqo and using your own account provides flexibility.
Cahoot lets sellers compare real-time rates across carriers, or even better: automate all the rate shipping and bulk shipping label generation based on the desired logic (cheapest, fastest, delivery promise, signature-required, etc.). This level of autonomous support (removing the human) goes a step further than Veeqo’s more manual workflows.
Order Routing & Workflow Automation
This is where the gap between the two platforms widens. Cahoot excels at automation.
Cahoot’s rule engine lets sellers automatically assign orders to specific warehouses, select packaging based on product dimensions, and pick carriers based on dynamic rules. It includes AI-powered cartonization, reducing overpackaging and optimizing label selection at scale. This feature alone can save high-volume shippers thousands per month.
Veeqo supports some automation, but according to multiple reviews, the rules engine lacks flexibility. As one user put it: “You can automate some parts of the shipping process, but complex routing logic just isn’t possible.” Another noted on G2, “Our warehouse team constantly has to manually override presets in Veeqo to get the right shipping option.”
Cahoot also offers the option to import product master data, assign SKUs to multiple warehouses, and automate routing for distributed fulfillment. These features are especially helpful for sellers managing multiple sales channels and warehouse locations.
Multi-Channel Capabilities
Both platforms support multi-channel order import from Amazon, eBay, Shopify, Walmart, Etsy, and more. Veeqo is tightly integrated with Amazon (it’s owned by Amazon), which brings advantages for FBM sellers, like access to Buy Shipping and automated order syncing.
However, some sellers note that Veeqo prioritizes Amazon workflows and that the support for non-Amazon channels lacks depth. A Trustpilot reviewer stated, “It’s clearly built with Amazon in mind. Shopify orders don’t always sync correctly, and the custom mapping is limited.”
Cahoot offers native integrations with all major ecommerce platforms, with equal priority across sales channels. That neutrality is useful for brands expanding beyond Amazon and looking to centralize operations across multiple storefronts.
It also means Cahoot isn’t limited by Amazon policy shifts or ecosystem changes. For businesses hoping to grow a multi-platform brand, that independence matters.
Inventory & Warehouse Management
Veeqo includes basic inventory tracking tools but doesn’t offer a full warehouse management system (WMS). Its UI shows available stock and syncs between platforms, but lacks pick/pack workflows, barcode scanning, and location-based inventory management.
Cahoot includes WMS features as part of the platform, with no need for third-party plugins. Sellers can assign bin locations, manage cycle counts, and generate pick lists automatically. One Cahoot user shared, “We reduced picking errors by 60% after switching from ShipStation to Cahoot because the WMS features are built in.”
For growing brands with even modest warehouse operations, this difference is key. It consolidates tech stack complexity and reduces reliance on disconnected tools.
Support & Learning Curve
Cahoot provides live onboarding, in-platform chat, and phone support. Multiple users note how responsive the support team is. One review on G2 says, “Every time I had an issue, Cahoot got back to me within minutes. I never felt like I was waiting around.”
Veeqo, on the other hand, has no phone support, and several users on Trustpilot and Reddit cite frustrating support delays. One review read, “You submit a ticket and wait… sometimes for days. It’s not great when your entire shipping flow is paused.”
Veeqo also has a steeper learning curve for non-Amazon users. The dashboard is robust but not intuitive for sellers focused on Shopify or direct-to-consumer models.
Amazon Buy Shipping & SFP
Both platforms are certified for Amazon Buy Shipping, meaning they help sellers remain compliant with Amazon’s policies and tracking requirements. However, only Cahoot supports Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP).
For Amazon SFP sellers, this is a major differentiator. Cahoot’s compliance engine ensures same-day label printing, cut-off time enforcement, and late-delivery prevention. Veeqo does not support this, which rules it out for many brands trying to maintain the Prime badge.
Data You Can Actually Use
With Veeqo, many sellers are flying blind. Sales data is fragmented. Shipping costs aren’t always transparent. And pulling that data often means wrangling spreadsheets with missing headers or running into failed exports.
Cahoot makes it easy to analyze profits, understand shipping costs, and track eligible shipments in one dashboard. You get full access to real performance data without needing to bounce between platforms.
Built for Amazon Sellers, but Not Owned by Amazon
Veeqo is owned by Amazon. That means anything you do on the Amazon platform is potentially visible. For Amazon sellers trying to protect their strategy or operate across other channels, that’s a problem.
Cahoot is fully compatible with Amazon FBM, FBA, and Buy Shipping, but stays independent. You get the lowest rates available, without locking yourself in deeper with Amazon or giving up your leverage.
Pros & Cons
Cahoot vs. Veeqo: What Sellers Are Saying
“Using Veeqo costed us so much time. Exports kept failing, inventory didn’t match, and the UI was just confusing. Cahoot gave us back control.”
~ Multichannel seller, apparel industry
Speak to a fulfillment expert
“The only reason I stuck with Veeqo was because it was free. But once our shipping volume increased, we needed more, and Cahoot delivered.”
~ Electronics brand owner
Speak to a fulfillment expert
Final Verdict
Veeqo is a solid, free tool for Amazon-first sellers who want to print shipping labels and access decent rates with minimal setup. But it lacks depth in automation, support, and warehouse operations.
Cahoot, by contrast, is built for scale. It’s ideal for ecommerce brands that are serious about operational efficiency and growth. From smart automation to robust warehouse tools and superior customer support, Cahoot is the better long-term investment for sellers looking to streamline operations across multiple platforms.
If you’re running a high-volume ecommerce business that ships across multiple sales channels, handles inventory in multiple locations, or simply wants to reduce costs and errors at scale, Cahoot is the clear winner.
Don’t settle for free if it slows your business down.
Choose smarter. Explore how Cahoot can simplify your shipping and scale with your brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Veeqo really free, and what’s the catch?
Yes, Veeqo is technically free, but many sellers report that key features like bulk shipping, inventory management, and reporting are limited. You may still need your own carrier accounts, and support can be slow.
How does Cahoot’s shipping software help reduce shipping costs?
Cahoot gives sellers access to discounted rates across major carriers like UPS, FedEx, and USPS, with no Veeqo credits or software bugs required. Plus, bulk shipping tools and data-driven insights help optimize your entire shipping process.
Can I use Cahoot if I sell on Amazon and other ecommerce channels?
Absolutely. Cahoot supports multiple sales channels, including Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and Shopify, while keeping inventory levels synced across all platforms. Unlike Veeqo’s integration, Cahoot’s system is fast, clean, and flexible.
What makes Cahoot better for inventory management than Veeqo?
Cahoot simplifies multi-channel inventory with real-time stock tracking, automated syncing, and alerts to prevent overselling. Veeqo users often struggle with managing inventory across platforms due to sync lags and poor data visibility.
Why do sellers leave Veeqo for Cahoot?
Many sellers switch when they realize Veeqo’s free model comes with trade-offs: limited support, Amazon ownership, clunky UI, and frustrating data export issues. Cahoot offers a full-featured, seller-first solution that saves time and drives smarter decisions.

Turn Returns Into New Revenue

Peer-to-Peer Returns Platform: How It Benefits Emerging DTC Brands
Returns are the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad part of running an ecommerce business. Not just for shoppers (waiting around for a refund) but for emerging ecommerce brands, especially DTC operations. Every return cuts into profit, eats up time, and piles up inventory no one wants to touch. But here’s the twist: what if returns didn’t go back to the warehouse at all? What if they went directly to a new buyer instead? That’s the magic behind the peer-to-peer returns platform. This model introduces key advantages for DTC brands, such as reducing costs, minimizing waste, and improving customer satisfaction.
Cahoot, known for shaking up ecommerce logistics, is leading the charge with this innovative approach in the peer-to-peer returns space. And no, it’s not a borrowing scheme like peer-to-peer lending or a financial product like personal loans. But it does borrow some DNA from those systems, distributed networks, smart matching, and skipping the middleman. Online platforms in the peer-to-peer space facilitate these direct connections, much like how they connect borrowers and lenders in financial contexts, streamlining the process for all parties involved. Think of it as the social lending of ecommerce returns, where the system connects returners directly with new buyers, just as peer-to-peer platforms connect borrowers directly with lenders.
The Real Pain of Traditional Returns
Traditional returns work like this: a customer changes their mind, prints a label, ships the item back to you, and then you have to receive, inspect, restock, maybe repackage, and eventually resell it, often at a steep discount. Add in return shipping costs, warehouse labor, customer service tickets, and even potential late fees for delayed processing, and it’s a recipe for negative ROI.
For a small ecommerce business or a founder running lean, this isn’t sustainable. Shipping every return back to your warehouse is like using a bank account with constant fees and zero interest. It drains your cash flow. You could compare it to funding loans with higher risk and low return, much like the challenges faced with traditional loans when penalties and late fees add up. Frankly, it’s a bad deal.
Enter Peer-to-Peer Returns
Instead of sending the returned item to your fulfillment center, Cahoot’s peer-to-peer returns platform lets the original customer ship it directly to a new buyer. Here’s how it plays out:
1. A customer initiates a return.
2. The platform asks them to upload photos, confirm the condition, and hold the item for a few days.
3. AI kicks in, verifying the item’s resale quality, analyzing the returner’s history, and scanning for fraud (risk management). The platform’s technology enables streamlined processes, making the entire experience faster and more user-friendly.
4. Meanwhile, the item is automatically relisted on your store as open-box in real-time, discounted slightly, but still your branded product. The relisting and resale process is transparent and clear, much like how peer-to-peer lending platforms provide comparable loan terms, so both buyers and sellers know exactly what to expect.
5. When a new customer buys it, the returner gets a label to ship it out directly.
6. They’re refunded once tracking confirms it’s on the way or received. In terms of risk management, the risk of a single failed return transaction can be compared to a single default event in lending, highlighting the importance of robust verification and diversification strategies.
Now, instead of a refund eating your margins, you’re reselling the item at 85–95% of retail, skipping warehouse handling and double shipping. It’s fast. It’s efficient. And yes, it saves money.
Slash Your Fulfillment Costs by Up to 30%
Cut shipping expenses by 30% and boost profit with Cahoot's AI-optimized fulfillment services and modern tech —no overheads and no humans required!
I'm Interested in Saving Time and MoneyWhy This Works (Especially for Small Businesses)
This isn’t just a fun gimmick. Cahoot’s peer model addresses real ecommerce challenges:
- Shipping Costs: You skip the return leg to the warehouse.
- Inventory Management: The item never clogs up your system.
- Speed: New customers get the item faster. Returners get refunded sooner.
- Customer Satisfaction: Everyone feels good helping the planet and their wallet.
For small businesses, this model is similar to how small business loans and business loans provide alternative financing options to cover major expenses, supporting growth and development when traditional funding is limited.
It’s like a micro version of peer lending. Instead of funding loans with capital, you’re moving product through customer participation. Instead of worrying about borrower defaults, you’re focused on buyer satisfaction and ensuring compliance through verified transactions. The platform also helps brands achieve their financial goals by offering accessible and flexible solutions. Other benefits of the peer-to-peer returns model include improved business insights, better payment terms, and fostering a supportive community for both buyers and sellers.
The Financial Angle
Okay, let’s talk money. The traditional return process? It’s basically like investing in traditional savings accounts, low return, high friction. With peer-to-peer returns, you’re now in the world of alternative investments. You’re getting more value, faster turnover, and lower risk.
Just as peer-to-peer (P2P lending) platforms allow individual and institutional investors to invest in loans, with returns shaped by interest rates and regular interest payments, our model lets you realize value more efficiently. On lending platforms and lending sites, loan offers are determined by factors like minimum credit score, good credit, and the borrower’s profile, much like how our platform assesses transaction eligibility and risk.
Your effective recovery rate improves. That espresso machine that used to cost you $50 to restock and repackage? Now it’s resold in 72 hours at 90% retail with no warehouse touch. That’s the kind of turnaround most lending sites or lending platforms would kill for.
Built-In Risk Management
Cahoot doesn’t wing it. Our P2P returns platform is built with risk tolerance settings, fraud detection layers, and condition verification, all using AI. That means you’re not just trusting your customers blindly. These tools empower brands to make informed decisions about approving returns and managing risk.
It’s like when institutional investors assess borrower defaults, they don’t rely on vibes. They crunch data, assess credit risk, and build safeguards. Cahoot’s doing the same for your returns: historical data, photo analysis, shipping trends, and user history all factor into who gets approved for peer-to-peer returns.
Customer Experience
Customers like this model. It’s interactive. It feels more personal. They get to feel like part of a sustainability loop. It’s like when borrowers connect with individual lenders on lending platforms, there’s emotional value. A product gets rehomed instead of returned to some faceless warehouse.
Returners are rewarded with small credits or perks for participating. Buyers get a deal. You recover more revenue. And the planet breathes a little easier. That’s what we call attractive returns.
Wrapping It Up
Peer-to-peer returns aren’t just a clever workaround; they’re a full-on rethinking of ecommerce reverse logistics. For small business owners, they offer a practical way to save money, improve customer satisfaction, and align with sustainability goals. For larger brands, they unlock serious cost savings and scalability.
So, whether you’re selling sneakers, smart home gear, or skincare, if returns are eating your margins, it might be time to make a move.
Because unlike traditional financial institutions, this isn’t built on bureaucracy. It’s built on agility, innovation, and a willingness to rethink the rules. Sound familiar?
That’s ecommerce done smarter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a peer-to-peer returns platform, and how does it work?
A peer-to-peer returns platform connects the original buyer of a product with a new customer who wants to purchase it, avoiding the need to ship the item back to the brand’s warehouse. Instead of returning it to a traditional logistics hub, the returner ships the item directly to the next buyer. This innovative approach reduces return costs, speeds up resale, and supports sustainability goals for small businesses.
How is a peer-to-peer returns model different from traditional returns?
Traditional returns involve sending the product back to a brand or warehouse, where it’s inspected, restocked, and resold. A peer-to-peer system skips that step. The original buyer holds the item temporarily while the platform finds a new buyer. Once sold, the item ships directly to the new customer, eliminating an entire shipping leg and creating a more efficient, cost-saving process similar to how peer-to-peer lending eliminates middlemen in finance.
Are peer-to-peer returns safe for ecommerce businesses and customers?
Yes. Platforms like Cahoot use advanced fraud detection, data analytics, and AI verification to ensure the returned item matches quality standards before resale. Buyers can review photos, condition grades, and return policies. Just like in peer lending, where borrower defaults are managed through credit checks and risk scoring, P2P returns include safeguards to protect both original and new customers.
What types of ecommerce brands benefit most from peer-to-peer returns?
Virtually any ecommerce brand can benefit from peer-to-peer returns as long as the products aren’t perishable, dangerous (hazmat), or otherwise require a tighter level of control (contamination concerns). From emerging DTC brands and small businesses to large enterprises, companies offering fast-moving consumer goods see the biggest gains. Peer-to-peer returns help reduce operating costs, improve cash flow, and increase customer satisfaction, especially for businesses without access to traditional loans, large warehouses, or institutional investor backing.
How can I start using a peer-to-peer returns platform?
To get started, ecommerce sellers can partner with a platform like Cahoot that offers peer-to-peer returns as part of its fulfillment solution. The platform handles the tech, including photo-based grading, shipping logistics, and fraud prevention. It’s as simple as integrating the system, setting product eligibility rules, and letting the platform connect returns with new buyers, streamlining processes, and unlocking attractive returns on previously lost sales.

Turn Returns Into New Revenue

How AI-Powered Cahoot Returns Management Reduces Ecommerce Fraud
In this article
9 minutes
- The Real Cost of Returns Fraud
- How AI Detects Fraud in the Returns Process
- How Cahoot Uses AI to Catch Return Fraud Before It Hits Your Warehouse
- How AI Preserves Customer Trust
- Behind the Scenes: What AI Actually Looks At
- The Business Benefits
- Final Thoughts: AI Is the Future of Fraud Prevention
- Frequently Asked Questions
Fraudulent returns and refund abuse are eating into ecommerce profits like termites in a timber shack. We’re not just talking about a few bad actors. This is a systemic issue. Every time someone pulls a fast one, returning a used dress, faking a receipt, or claiming a package never arrived, ecommerce businesses bleed money. But here’s the good news: AI is finally catching up.
Businesses that implement AI-powered fraud detection tools gain a competitive advantage in the ecommerce space, reducing losses and improving operational efficiency.
This article explores how AI-powered returns management is giving merchants the upper hand, using machine learning and advanced fraud detection tools to sniff out shady behavior while keeping the experience smooth for legitimate customers. The tech is here, it’s learning fast, and it’s reshaping how we handle ecommerce returns.
The Real Cost of Returns Fraud
Returns fraud isn’t just annoying, it’s financially devastating. Think about:
- Wardrobing: Wear once, return as “new”.
- Switch fraud: Return a knockoff and keep the real thing.
- Empty box scams: Return a box with no item inside, claim it’s there.
- Refund fraud: Claim the item never arrived, even when it did.
Customers exploit return policies by making false claims about product defects or delivery issues, manipulating the system for personal gain. Fraudulent return activities also include stolen merchandise returns and targeting high-value items such as luxury goods.
All of these fall under fraudulent returns and refund fraud, and they’re on the rise. According to the National Retail Federation, ecommerce losses from return abuse now top tens of billions of dollars annually.
AI analyzes return data and return patterns to identify patterns and fraud patterns in return transactions, helping businesses detect and prevent evolving forms of return fraud.
The old methods, manual checks, strict return policies, and restocking fees, aren’t cutting it anymore. They hurt genuine customers and barely scratch the surface of sophisticated scams. That’s where AI fraud detection for ecommerce returns steps in.
How AI Detects Fraud in the Returns Process
AI-powered returns management combines machine learning algorithms, transaction data, returns data, and customer behavior to spot bad actors before they strike. AI-powered systems are designed to prevent fraud throughout the returns process. Here’s how:
1. Photo Verification & Image Recognition
AI can evaluate customer-submitted images of returned items to:
- Detect box fraud or item switching.
- Compare the product’s appearance to a verified new version.
- Identify wear, missing parts, or damage that contradicts the return reason.
This allows brands to detect fraudulent activity before it’s even shipped back.
2. Pattern & Anomaly Detection
Machine learning excels at spotting unusual patterns in behavior:
- Return frequency: Has the customer returned too many high-value items?
- Geolocation: Is the return request coming from a region known for return scams?
- Purchase timing: Did they buy during a sale and return right after peak season?
These patterns raise fraud risks and trigger review or denial workflows.
3. Cross-Platform and Channel Monitoring
AI systems can check across multiple returns and ecommerce channels, identifying if a return was initiated:
- For the same item on multiple platforms.
- Using fake receipts.
- From a buyer who already claimed store credit somewhere else.
AI can also monitor for account takeover attempts by detecting unusual account activities, such as frequent address changes, excessive returns, or high-value purchases. When suspicious account activity is detected, AI can recommend enabling multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security and prevent unauthorized access.
This multi-touch intelligence is a game-changer for fraud prevention goals.
4. NLP for Reason Analysis
Natural language processing (NLP) can analyze written return reasons and flag:
- Repeated use of vague claims like “defective”.
- Scripted language that suggests fraud rings.
It’s subtle, but over time, it sharpens fraud detection and helps businesses adapt.
5. Smart Risk Scoring
With returns management systems like Cahoot, each return is assigned a fraud risk score based on:
- Customer history
- Returns data
- Known red flags like frequent returns, high-value items, high-risk transactions, or mismatched shipping info
High-risk returns may trigger:
- Photo verification
- Manual review
- Limited refunds (e.g., store credit only)
How Cahoot Uses AI to Catch Return Fraud Before It Hits Your Warehouse
Here’s the short version: Cahoot’s AI-powered returns system sniffs out sketchy returns before they even hit your dock. No detective hats or magnifying glasses required. It’s proactive fraud prevention baked right into the returns process, built for ecommerce teams who don’t have time (or money) to waste on refund fraud and box scams.
Here’s how it plays out in real life: a customer clicks “return,” and instead of handing them a prepaid label like candy at a parade, Cahoot asks for photos. Item, packaging, maybe even the serial number. That’s when the AI kicks in, checking everything against the original order. Does the item match what was sold? Is the box suspiciously light? Are they trying to return a broken knockoff instead of the actual product? The system flags anything that smells off. No human has to squint at a blurry JPEG; AI’s doing the heavy lifting.
And if things look really fishy? Cahoot assigns a fraud risk score based on the customer’s history, return frequency, location, and transaction data. Say this person’s been sending back a lot of high-value items or triggering patterns tied to refund fraud, Cahoot might put the brakes on the refund, sending it to manual review or straight-up denying it. It’s like having a savvy fraud analyst on call, 24/7, who doesn’t need coffee breaks.
But that’s not all, it gets sharper with every return. The system learns what fraud looks like. Maybe it flags addresses linked to repeat offenders. Maybe it notices “this person always returns luxury goods two days before the return window closes.” The more it sees, the smarter it gets. Over time, it recommends policy tweaks that actually make sense, like tightening windows for excessive returns or requiring restocking fees on high-risk items.
Cahoot also checks serial numbers in real time. That means box fraud, where someone swaps the product and sends back a decoy, gets stopped cold. If the serial number doesn’t match what was sold? Game over. No refund. No restock. Just one more fake return that never made it through the door.
All of this happens quietly in the background, streamlining the returns process for good customers while catching the bad ones red-handed. That’s the beauty of machine learning in ecommerce returns: it doesn’t just react, it predicts. And when refund fraud can bleed your margins dry faster than a flash sale, that kind of protection isn’t just nice to have, it’s essential.
Cahoot’s AI isn’t trying to micromanage your returns team; it’s giving them superpowers. So your operations run leaner, your legit customers stay happy, and your profits stay where they belong. In your pocket.
How AI Preserves Customer Trust
One of the trickiest parts of returns fraud is not alienating loyal customers. Efficient returns processes powered by AI improve customer satisfaction by reducing friction and delays. A good AI doesn’t just block fraud, it enables a positive customer experience by:
- Fast-tracking legitimate customers
- Preventing false positives through layered detection
- Using customer verification sparingly and intelligently
In short, it finds the right balance between fraud prevention and a frictionless returns process.
Behind the Scenes: What AI Actually Looks At
This isn’t black magic, it’s smart automation trained on mountains of data:
- Historical data: Past behaviors of repeat offenders and loyal shoppers
- Data points: Shipping speed, order value, return time frame
- Customer data: Addresses, accounts, payment histories
- Delivery tracking: GPS drops vs. “item not received” claims
Together, these inputs help detect fraud across a spectrum, from empty box fraud to money laundering via returns.
The Business Benefits
When ecommerce companies implement AI-powered returns management, they see results fast. These benefits contribute to the long-term success of ecommerce businesses:
✔ Reduced Operational Costs
- Less need for manual review
- Faster returns management process
✔ Improved Customer Loyalty
- Quicker refunds for genuine customers
- Confidence that return policies are fair
✔ Higher Margins
- Fewer fraudulent returns and chargebacks
- More high-value items are resold instead of being written off
✔ Smarter Policy Decisions
- AI insights guide better rules
- Target return abuse without punishing everyone
It’s a full-circle win for ecommerce businesses who want to scale securely.
Final Thoughts: AI Is the Future of Fraud Prevention
Return fraud is constantly evolving. So are the tools to fight it. By leveraging AI and machine learning in the returns management space, sellers are turning what used to be a liability into a competitive edge.
With platforms like Cahoot, advanced technology no longer belongs only to the big guys. Even mid-size online stores can now fight receipt fraud, friendly fraud, and return scams with precision.
So next time someone tries to game the system with a personal gain hustle, just remember: AI sees all. And it doesn’t blink.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does AI detect fraudulent returns in ecommerce?
AI fraud detection for ecommerce returns works by analyzing returns data, customer behavior, and product images to identify suspicious patterns. It can flag issues like empty box fraud, receipt fraud, or mismatched serial numbers by comparing return requests against historical transaction data and trained machine learning algorithms.
What is the difference between return abuse and friendly fraud?
Return abuse often involves intentional schemes like wardrobing or box switching for personal gain, while friendly fraud includes tactics like claiming an item was never received to get a refund. Both forms of fraudulent activity are increasing in ecommerce returns, and AI-powered systems help detect these behaviors quickly.
Can AI-powered returns management improve customer satisfaction?
Yes. By separating legitimate customers from bad actors, AI-powered returns management allows genuine customers to experience faster processing, easier refunds, and less hassle, while fraudsters face more scrutiny. This helps maintain customer loyalty, customer trust, and a positive customer experience.
What types of ecommerce return fraud does AI help prevent?
AI helps identify and prevent a range of fraud types, including stolen merchandise returns, false claims, empty box fraud, refund fraud, and return scams. It uses data points like return frequency, image analysis, and customer history to flag high-risk transactions for further review.
Why is AI better than traditional fraud prevention methods?
Unlike manual reviews or blanket return policies that can frustrate loyal customers, AI fraud detection tools use advanced technology to spot fraud patterns in real-time. This results in lower operational costs, stronger fraud defenses, and better long-term success for ecommerce businesses.

Turn Returns Into New Revenue

Strategies to Mitigate FedEx and UPS Surcharges 2025
In this article
9 minutes
- Why Are These Surcharges Getting Worse?
- What This Means for Your Ecommerce Operation
- 1. Know Your Surcharge Triggers
- 2. Reroute Using Distributed Fulfillment
- 3. Leverage Regional Carriers and USPS
- 4. Negotiate Like a Pro
- 5. Bundle Smart and Reduce Dead Weight
- 6. Offer Incentives to Offset Costs
- 7. Monitor, Adjust, Repeat
- 8. Stay Compliant: Commercial Invoice Requirements
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s not sugarcoat it. The 2025 UPS and FedEx surcharges are hitting hard, and if you run an ecommerce business, you’re likely already feeling it in your margins. These aren’t just petty rate hikes; we’re talking residential delivery fees, large package surcharges, and peak season multipliers that could straight-up wreck your bottom line if left unchecked. New surcharges and additional fees can quietly inflate costs for ecommerce businesses if not monitored closely.
So what do we do? Panic? Raise prices? Light a candle? Nah. Let’s talk smart ecommerce shipping strategy. This article will help you identify and address these additional fees before they quietly eat into your profits.
Why Are These Surcharges Getting Worse?
Simple: higher costs for carriers, inflation, delivery network strain, and the never-ending Amazon arms race. Carriers know ecommerce businesses rely on them, and they’re capitalizing on that reliance with complex, hard-to-negotiate fees. To increase revenue, carriers are introducing new surcharges and modifying their pricing structure, resulting in additional revenue streams that shippers must monitor closely.
It used to be seasonal. Now it’s structural. UPS recently added a higher “Additional Handling” fee for packages over 30 pounds, and FedEx followed suit with new zone-based surcharges on bulky items. These changes are part of the evolving UPS surcharges landscape, reflecting how carriers are using new fees and pricing structure adjustments to drive revenue. If your business ships large packages (think fitness gear, small furniture, or bundled orders), you’re in the crosshairs.
What This Means for Your Ecommerce Operation
These aren’t line items you can just absorb. Surcharges and fees affect not just shipping costs but also other aspects of your business, including a new 2 percent payment processing fee on most charges. If you’re not actively working to reduce shipping costs with UPS and FedEx, you’re leaving money on the table, or worse, eating it. That “free shipping” promise starts to feel like a bad joke.
Changes in shipping rates and surcharges can significantly impact shippers’ bottom lines. This is where shipping strategy becomes a profit lever.
1. Know Your Surcharge Triggers
First up: audit your shipments. Where are the fees coming from?
- Oversize or large package fees? (Services affected: typically ground and express shipments)
- Residential delivery? (Services affected: home delivery and residential ground services)
- Peak delivery windows? (Services affected: all expedited and time-definite services)
- ZIP codes with higher fees (“extended area surcharge”)? (Services affected: rural and remote area deliveries; charges subject: extended area surcharges)
Understanding which charges are subject to surcharges for each package shipped is crucial for controlling shipping costs and optimizing your logistics strategy.
Use this data to model scenarios: “What happens if I split shipments differently? Consolidate? Change carriers regionally?”
2. Reroute Using Distributed Fulfillment
If you’re shipping coast-to-coast from a single warehouse, you’re stacking up zone charges. A 4 lb box from NYC to Oregon isn’t the same cost as one going to Jersey.
Using distributed fulfillment cuts zone distance, enables faster delivery, and reduces per-package surcharge exposure, including those related to domestic ground shipping services. This is especially important for large or heavy ecommerce products.
Additionally, consolidating shipments can further minimize surcharge costs.
3. Leverage Regional Carriers and USPS
Don’t let UPS and FedEx think they’re the only game in town. Regional carriers like OnTrac and LSO are expanding coverage and love ecommerce volume. For lighter shipments, USPS remains competitive and immune to many surcharge layers. However, keep in mind that services like UPS Ground Saver® and various air services, including UPS Next Day Air, UPS 2nd Day Air, and international air options, are also subject to changing fuel surcharges, which can impact your shipping costs.
Use carrier rate shopping logic to auto-select the most affordable carrier based on destination, weight, and dimensions, and consider how surcharges on UPS Ground Saver and air services may affect your total rates.
4. Negotiate Like a Pro
Yes, you can negotiate UPS and FedEx rates, but you need leverage. Demonstrating high shipping volume and effectively managing frequent shipments can provide significant bargaining power. Show them your volume growth, historical performance, and willingness to shift volume elsewhere. Push for:
- Waived or reduced surcharges
- Custom DIM divisor
- Discounts for specific ZIPs or package types
- Better terms on traditional shipping rates and all ancillary fees, not just base rates
And don’t just do this once a year. Re-negotiate quarterly if needed.
5. Bundle Smart and Reduce Dead Weight
Product bundling sounds simple until you realize you’re accidentally triggering dimensional weight charges or bumping into a surcharge tier. Optimizing packaging can provide value-added benefits and reduce the risk of incurring extra surcharges.
Use cartonization software or fulfillment logic to optimize what goes in each box. Small tweaks to packaging design or SKU mix can save you thousands.
6. Offer Incentives to Offset Costs
Let your customers help. Offer:
- Store pickup or local delivery discounts
- Extended delivery timelines for lower-cost options
- Free shipping thresholds to encourage higher-margin AOVs
You’re not passing on fees, you’re framing value.
7. Monitor, Adjust, Repeat
Surcharges change quarterly, and as mentioned, fuel surcharges are especially important to monitor as they can significantly bump your shipping costs. Fluctuating fuel prices directly impact how carriers adjust fuel surcharges, so it’s essential to track these changes and adjust your strategies accordingly. Don’t wait for the damage to show up in your P&L. Set up automated reporting by carrier, SKU, zone, and surcharge type. Watch trends.
A client of ours shipping workout gear will trim \$40 K from their shipping budget by simply redesigning two SKUs to avoid “additional handling” fees. Total cost: \$3 K in packaging R&D.
Recent changes include more frequent updates to fuel surcharges based on weekly fuel price indices, and new surcharge structures that can significantly bump costs if not closely monitored. The key takeaway: Stay proactive by tracking all surcharges, especially those affected by fluctuating fuel prices, and be ready to adjust your shipping strategies to minimize the impact on your bottom line.
8. Stay Compliant: Commercial Invoice Requirements
If you think surcharges only hit you at the shipping label, think again. Earlier this year, UPS rolled out a new “Paper Commercial Invoice Service Surcharge,” meaning every time you send a shipment with a paper commercial invoice, you’ll get dinged with an extra fee. For businesses still relying on traditional invoicing methods, this is one more way shipping costs can quietly inflate.
A commercial invoice isn’t just paperwork; it’s a required document for international shipments, detailing what’s in the box, its value, and who’s sending and receiving it. Get it wrong, and you risk delays, compliance headaches, or even more fees. Get it right, and you keep your shipments moving and your costs in check.
To avoid this new surcharge, start paying closer attention to your invoicing processes. Switching to digital form, electronic invoicing (e-invoices) not only helps you dodge the UPS paper invoice fee but also streamlines your shipping workflow and reduces manual errors. Make sure your shipping software or logistics provider supports digital commercial invoice generation and submission.
Bottom line: staying compliant with commercial invoice requirements isn’t just about avoiding penalties, it’s about keeping your shipping costs under control and your business running smoothly. Don’t let outdated invoicing practices add unnecessary fees to every shipment. Embrace digital, stay ahead of the surcharges, and keep your logistics costs lean.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 UPS and FedEx surcharge landscape isn’t going to let up. But ecommerce brands that treat shipping like a strategic function, not a static cost, will thrive.
To succeed, adopt a holistic approach to managing logistics costs across your entire supply chain. This means not only focusing on shipping rates, but also understanding how payment processes, payment habits, and payment fees impact your bottom line. Regularly review your payments strategy to optimize for efficiency and maintain healthy cash flow.
Be aware that late payment fees, processing fees, and payment fees on most invoice charges can quickly add up, disrupting cash flow and increasing overall expenses. Late payers face a steep 9.9 percent late fee, and prior late fees will be incorporated into your past-due balance, compounding the cost of overdue accounts. Tracking each transaction and understanding the fee per payment method, whether ACH payments, wire transfers, or paper invoices, is essential for cost control.
Traditional payment methods now often incur additional charges, so consider switching to ACH payments, which are typically fee-free and help streamline payment processes. Avoid extra costs by moving away from paper invoices and printed invoice copies, as these now come with a \$5 fee per invoice. Digital invoicing solutions can help you save money and improve efficiency.
Always check the effective date of new surcharges and payment policy changes to ensure compliance and avoid unexpected costs. For expert guidance on navigating these changes and optimizing your logistics strategy, consult with an expert.
Audit. Distribute. Negotiate. Automate. Adjust.
It’s not about fighting surcharges with brute force. It’s about outsmarting them.
So take a deep breath, pull up your shipping data, and start cutting where it counts. The savings are there. You just have to dig.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new UPS and FedEx surcharges for 2025?
UPS and FedEx have introduced increased surcharges in 2025 for large packages, residential deliveries, and fuel costs, significantly impacting ecommerce shipping expenses.
How can ecommerce brands reduce the impact of surcharges on large packages?
Brands can redesign packaging to meet dimensional thresholds, negotiate cubic pricing, or split shipments when appropriate to avoid oversized surcharges.
Can smaller ecommerce stores negotiate lower UPS and FedEx rates?
Yes, especially by leveraging third-party fulfillment networks or 3PLs that aggregate volume across multiple sellers, giving them stronger negotiating power.
Is it worth switching carriers due to the 2025 surcharge changes?
That depends on your shipping profile. Some regional carriers or hybrid services may offer better rates and fewer surcharges for specific zones or package types.
What role does shipping software play in managing surcharge costs?
Shipping software can help reroute orders, compare carrier rates in real-time, and optimize label selection to minimize surcharges and boost cost efficiency.

Turn Returns Into New Revenue

Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Ecommerce Returns Without Greenwashing
In this article
12 minutes
- Returns: The Hidden Carbon Emissions Sustainability Sinkhole
- The Problem with Offsets
- The Role of Fast Fashion in Ecommerce Returns
- What to Do Instead: Real Strategies for Sustainable Returns
- The Importance of Transparency and Accountability
- Reducing Environmental Impact through Education
- The Bigger Picture: Returns as a Circular Opportunity
- TL;DR: Stop Offsetting, Start Optimizing
- Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s get one thing out of the way: buying carbon offsets isn’t a silver bullet. Sure, they might make a brand feel better. Throw some money at a reforestation project, slap a “carbon neutral” badge on the website, and call it a day. But customers? They’re not fooled anymore. The modern ecommerce shopper is savvier, more eco-aware, and has a nose for greenwashing from a mile away. With the rise of ecommerce, online returns have become increasingly common, adding new layers of complexity to sustainability efforts.
So, what can a brand actually do to make ecommerce returns more sustainable without hiding behind offsets and hope? Returns are the ecommerce world’s dirty secret. Returns significantly affect the environment by increasing emissions, packaging waste, and resource use due to the logistics involved in processing returned items.
Let’s talk about it.
Returns: The Hidden Carbon Emissions Sustainability Sinkhole
Returns are the ecommerce world’s dirty secret. That stylish jacket that gets sent back because the fit’s off? It’s not always going back on the shelf. Sometimes it’s rerouted halfway across the country, sometimes it’s trashed. Literally. Return parcels often travel long distances, sometimes internationally, adding significantly to carbon emissions.
According to industry estimates, ecommerce returns generate over 15 million metric tons of carbon emissions per year. Return shipping is a major contributor to these emissions, as the logistics of moving products back through the supply chain are often more complex than the original shipment. That’s not counting the packaging waste, the reverse logistics, or the markdown losses that fuel overproduction. In fact, the emissions from returns can be up to 30% higher than those from the initial delivery, and the return process can take up to three times longer than the initial delivery time, further increasing environmental strain.
And it’s only getting worse.
Returns are expected to increase in volume as online shopping keeps growing. Which means if a brand is serious about sustainability, this is the battleground. This is where the carbon battle is won or lost. Optimizing the return process is essential to reducing environmental impact and achieving true sustainability.
The Problem with Offsets
First, what are carbon offsets? Carbon offsets are a way to compensate for greenhouse gas emissions by funding projects that reduce or remove those emissions elsewhere. They represent a financial instrument, often in the form of carbon credits, that can be bought and sold to offset a company’s or individual’s carbon footprint. Essentially, you pay someone else to reduce emissions so you can balance out your own impact. Some refer to this practice as “greenwashing,” that is, misleading marketing that creates a positive public image as it relates to sustainability efforts, when in reality, companies are simply throwing money at the problem.
Offsetting carbon emissions has become the default sustainability strategy for many ecommerce brands. But let’s call it what it often is: a shortcut. It’s easier to buy carbon credits than to rethink logistics. But it’s also increasingly under scrutiny.
Customers and regulators alike are asking hard questions:
- Are these offset projects even real?
- Are they additional (i.e., would they have happened anyway)?
- Are they permanent?
- Are they actually reducing emissions or just moving guilt around?
If the answer to any of those is fuzzy, that shiny “carbon neutral returns” badge starts to look more like PR theater than real progress.
The Role of Fast Fashion in Ecommerce Returns
Fast fashion is a major driver behind the mountain of ecommerce returns and the environmental impact that comes with it. The fashion industry records some of the highest return rates, thanks to a business model built on rapid trends, low prices, and disposable products. This cycle encourages customers to buy more, try more, and return more, often with little thought to the consequences.
The result? A huge environmental impact. Every returned fast fashion item means more transportation, more packaging waste, and substantially more emissions. Many of these items are made from low-quality materials, making them harder to resell or recycle and more likely to end up in landfills.
Online retailers in the fashion industry can help break this cycle by adopting sustainable return processes. This means making it easier for customers to get sizing and fit right the first time, offering detailed product information, and encouraging customers to think twice before making impulse purchases. By promoting mindful shopping and streamlining return processes, online retailers can reduce unnecessary returns and their associated emissions, helping to create a more sustainable future for fashion.
What to Do Instead: Real Strategies for Sustainable Returns
Let’s dig into actual solutions that reduce the carbon footprint of ecommerce returns without playing the offset game.
1. Don’t Ship What Doesn’t Need to Be Returned
Before we talk transportation, let’s talk logic. Some returns just… shouldn’t happen. For instance:
- Low-cost items where shipping back costs more than the refund.
- Used or damaged items are better suited for resale, donation, or recycling.
Free returns policies often encourage customers to return more products, even when it’s unnecessary. As a result, customers return a significant percentage of online purchases, especially in categories like clothing, leading to high volumes of returns. This means customers sending back items unnecessarily, which increases emissions, packaging waste, and environmental impact.
Amazon, Target, and others are experimenting with “keep it” policies. It’s not charity, it’s math. And it slashes emissions.
Pro tip: Offer refunds or store credit for certain items without requiring them to be shipped back. Flag these automatically by value or category.
2. Make Online Returns Local
Centralized return centers? Good for control. Bad for emissions. Every mile adds CO₂. When return parcels travel long distances to centralized locations, they significantly increase carbon emissions. Return shipping over extended routes not only raises costs but also has a substantial environmental impact.
Instead, build a distributed returns network using local micro-fulfillment centers, third-party dropoff points (like Happy Returns), or even store partners. Let returns travel shorter distances and restock closer to the next buyer, optimizing the returns process for local returns.
Pro tip: If you run a Shopify store, check out apps that integrate dropoff points or enable peer-to-peer returns.
3. Sell Returns Before They Ship
This one’s juicy. Some startups (yes, Cahoot is in this space) are enabling returns rerouted directly to the next buyer.
Say a customer in Dallas returns a pair of shoes. Instead of shipping them to a return hub in Ohio, list them instantly on your site as “open box,” and fulfill the next order right out of the first customer’s hands. The resale value of these products is a key economic consideration, as it may not always cover the expenses involved in the returns process. But in general, fewer miles, less waste, happier planet.
Pro tip: Market “returned but good as new” inventory as a value-conscious, sustainable choice for the next buyer.
4. Fix Fit, Friction, and Frustration
A huge chunk of returns aren’t defects; they’re disconnects.
- “This doesn’t fit like I thought it would.”
- “The color’s off.”
- “I didn’t realize it needed batteries.”
These issues often arise when customer expectations are not clearly set or managed. Meeting or exceeding customer expectations through clear product information and communication is crucial to reducing returns.
Every return like that is a failure of expectation-setting. Use smarter sizing guides, AR try-on tools, richer product pages, and yes, better post-purchase communication to prevent avoidable returns altogether.
Pro tip: Track return reasons obsessively. Fix the upstream problem.
5. Consolidate Reverse Logistics
Every one-off return is a sustainability nightmare. Smart brands offer:
- Scheduled return pickups
- Bundled return shipments
- QR-code dropoffs that batch items into optimized routes
Optimizing returns processes is crucial for sustainability; streamlining each step reduces waste and environmental impact.
Instead of one label, one box, one truck, turn returns into networked events. Fewer trips, fuller trucks, smaller footprint.
Pro tip: Work with 3PLs or carriers that offer consolidated reverse logistics as part of their service model.
6. Rethink Packaging and Waste
Packaging is often the first thing customers see, and the first thing they throw away. Rethinking packaging and waste is a powerful way to shrink the carbon footprint of ecommerce returns. Start by swapping out traditional materials for sustainable packaging options: think biodegradable mailers, recyclable boxes, and paper-based alternatives to plastic bubble wrap.
But don’t stop there. Encourage customers to reuse packaging for their returns, or even for other purposes at home. A simple “reuse and recycle” message in your return instructions can go a long way toward minimizing waste. Some brands even offer incentives for customers who return items in their original packaging.
By prioritizing sustainable packaging and minimizing waste, online retailers can cut environmental costs and help build a more sustainable future, one return at a time.
7. Leverage Technology for Smarter Returns
Technology is a game-changer when it comes to optimizing return processes and reducing environmental impact. Virtual try-on technology lets customers see how clothes or accessories will look and fit before they buy, slashing the number of returns due to poor fit or style mismatches. This not only enhances customer satisfaction but also reduces the environmental footprint of online shopping.
AI-powered return management systems can further streamline return processes for online retailers. These tools can predict which items are most likely to be returned, automate approvals, and even suggest the most sustainable route for each return. The result? Faster, smarter returns that use fewer resources and generate less waste.
By embracing technology-driven solutions, online retailers can deliver a more positive customer experience while making meaningful progress toward sustainability.
The Importance of Transparency and Accountability
In the ecommerce industry, transparency and accountability are non-negotiable for reducing the environmental impact of returns. Customers want to know exactly how their returns are handled, where items go, how waste is minimized, and what steps are being taken to reduce emissions.
Online retailers should clearly communicate their return policies and processes, making it easy for customers to understand what happens after they send something back. This includes being upfront about efforts to minimize waste, use sustainable materials, and optimize return processes for lower emissions.
By holding themselves accountable and sharing their progress, online retailers can build trust, set themselves apart in a crowded market, and drive the entire industry toward more sustainable practices.
Reducing Environmental Impact through Education
Education is a powerful tool for reducing the environmental impact of ecommerce returns. Online retailers have a unique opportunity to inform customers about the environmental costs of returns and the benefits of making more sustainable choices.
This can be as simple as including information on product pages about the carbon footprint of returns, or as involved as partnering with environmental organizations to promote sustainable shopping habits. By raising awareness and encouraging customers to think before they buy or return, retailers can help shift behavior toward a more sustainable future.
Empowering customers with knowledge not only reduces waste and emissions but also strengthens brand loyalty and positions online retailers as leaders in building a more sustainable ecommerce industry.
The Bigger Picture: Returns as a Circular Opportunity
Sustainability isn’t just about less carbon. It’s about less waste, less overproduction, and more reuse. Using more sustainable materials in returned products can significantly reduce the environmental impact and support circularity.
Returned items don’t have to be liquidated, dumped, or buried in clearance tabs. With the right tech stack and reverse logistics flow, returns can fuel:
- Refurbished product lines
- Second-chance marketplaces
- Loyalty-building exchanges
- In-house recommerce
However, the process of handling returns often generates extra packaging materials, excess packaging, plastic packaging, plastic waste, and plastic packaging waste, all of which contribute to environmental impact and landfill accumulation. Returned synthetic products can emit plastic particles, further polluting the environment. Improper disposal of returned goods can even result in open-air dumping sites, as seen in some regions.
The scale of the problem is massive, with billions of pounds of returned products, specifically, 9.5 billion pounds, ending up in landfills each year. These practices contribute to global carbon emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, and CO2 emissions, highlighting the true environmental cost of ecommerce returns. Many synthetic materials in returned goods are produced using fossil fuels, compounding the emissions problem.
Certain categories, such as consumer electronics, present unique challenges due to hazardous materials and recycling difficulties. Compared to returns from online shopping, in-store purchases generally have lower return rates and generate less waste, making them more sustainable options. Thus, traditional shopping contributes less to packaging waste and emissions than ecommerce.
Online shopping returns and ecommerce returns, however, are associated with higher rates of returns, more packaging waste, and greater environmental cost. Online shopping leads to increased waste from online purchases, and the percentage of returns from online purchases varies widely by industry. The fashion industry recorded some of the highest return rates, further amplifying the issue.
The same emissions generated by reverse logistics, repackaging, and landfilling of returns are comparable to those produced by millions of cars. Paper waste is another significant byproduct of inefficient return processes.
Both consumers and retailers share responsibility for reducing the environmental impact of returns. Adopting sustainable practices can improve customer loyalty and demonstrate environmental responsibility, helping brands improve customer loyalty and build long-term trust.
Brands like Patagonia, Lululemon, and IKEA are already piloting resale programs that give used items a second life. This isn’t fringe. It’s the new mainstream. Swapping plastic packaging for more sustainable alternatives is another step brands can take to reduce waste and support circularity.
Pro tip: Create a branded “like new” collection and route eligible returns there instead of the liquidation abyss.
TL;DR: Stop Offsetting, Start Optimizing
If your entire returns sustainability strategy hinges on buying carbon credits, it’s time for a reboot.
Ecommerce brands have a huge opportunity to lead by:
- Reducing returns in the first place
- Routing them smarter and shorter
- Repurposing returns into value
- Implementing infrastructure that supports circular commerce
And you don’t need to be a $1B DTC darling to do this. Start small. Automate smarter. Ask better questions.
Because no amount of offsets will fix a broken process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can ecommerce brands reduce return-related carbon emissions without offsets?
By using regional return hubs, minimizing return shipments through virtual try-ons or better sizing tools, and refurbishing items locally instead of reshipping them.
Why are carbon offsets considered greenwashing by some experts?
Because many offsets don’t reduce emissions at the source, they often act as a license to pollute rather than driving systemic sustainability improvements.
What are practical alternatives to carbon offsets for online retailers?
Implementing smart return routing, peer-to-peer resale, local drop-off partnerships, and clearer product education can meaningfully reduce returns emissions.
Do returns really make a big environmental impact?
Yes, especially when returns are shipped back, repackaged, restocked, or discarded. Each step contributes to carbon output, waste, and energy use.
How can ecommerce brands make their returns policy more sustainable?
Start by making returns frictionless but intentional: require reason codes, incentivize exchanges, offer local return options, and prioritize reuse or donation of returned items.

Turn Returns Into New Revenue

Why Temperature-Controlled 3PL Fulfillment Services Is Hot
In this article
6 minutes
- Why Brands Are Getting Serious About Temperature-Controlled Warehousing
- Four Ranges, Endless Requirements
- The Cold Storage Supply Chain Is Booming
- When Is Controlled Warehousing the Right Move?
- Key Benefits of Temperature-Controlled 3PL Fulfillment
- What to Look for in a Temperature-Controlled Facility
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
So here’s the deal: not all products like to chill the same way. Some want crisp air. Others prefer it mild. And then there are the divas, like cheese, chocolate, and pharmaceuticals, that absolutely must stay within a consistent temperature range or things go sideways fast. Enter the world of temperature-controlled 3PL fulfillment services, where warehouses become climate whisperers and storage becomes science.
And let’s be honest, if you’re shipping temperature-sensitive products without the right temperature control setup, you’re flirting with spoilage, recalls, and angry emails. No one wants that.
Why Brands Are Getting Serious About Temperature-Controlled Warehousing
Blame it on the rise of DTC food, supplements, skincare, and all those perishable goods showing up on doorsteps. Ecommerce has exploded into categories that used to be strictly brick-and-mortar. Now everyone’s shipping salsa, serum, and medicinal products, and they all demand different temperature ranges and humidity levels.
That’s where temperature-controlled warehousing steps up. It’s not just about slapping an AC unit in the corner and calling it a day. A true climate-controlled warehouse is a carefully calibrated environment, with everything from refrigeration equipment to humidity control, air conditioning, and yes, even sandwich panels to regulate insulation.
Think of it like this: the temperature-controlled warehouse maintains product integrity the way a museum maintains art. It’s protection. It’s preservation. It’s essential.
Four Ranges, Endless Requirements
Let’s talk numbers. Most temperature-controlled facilities operate within four different temperature ranges:
1. Frozen (-10°F to 0°F): For ice cream, frozen meats, and products that prefer sub-zero vibes.
2. Refrigerated (33°F to 40°F): Think produce, pharmaceutical products, food grade items, and alcoholic beverages that demand cool-but-not-frozen conditions.
3. Ambient storage (50°F to 70°F): This is your standard controlled environment, great for supplements, makeup, or dry snacks.
4. Room temperature with humidity control: Often overlooked but critical for chocolate, electronics, and other temperature-sensitive goods.
Without proper temperature monitoring, one spike in heat or dip in cold air, and your stored goods could be toast. Literally. Improper storage doesn’t just shorten shelf life, it can lead to product quality issues, regulatory compliance headaches, and, worst-case scenario, a full-blown recall.
The Cold Storage Supply Chain Is Booming
We’ve all heard of the cold chain, but the spotlight on cold storage really intensified during the pandemic. Vaccines, fresh produce, and meal kits made everyone realize how fragile product integrity can be when temps aren’t dialed in just right.
Now that ecommerce has leaned hard into consumables, the need for temperature-controlled warehouse facilities isn’t just for Big Pharma or Big Food. Even indie brands selling elderberry syrup or adaptogen smoothies need safe storage that meets safety standards.
And that’s where 3PLs with temperature-controlled warehousing solutions come in hot (and cold). They’re building out storage space with energy consumption top of mind, balancing optimal storage with sustainability. It’s a delicate dance, keeping products stored safely while not blowing up the power bill.
When Is Controlled Warehousing the Right Move?
If you’re shipping anything that falls under sensitive products, perishable products, or items with “store below 72°F” on the label, yes, it’s time. That includes:
- Food products (fresh, frozen, or fancy)
- Pharmaceutical products
- Alcoholic beverages (yes, some spoil)
- Temperature sensitive goods like vitamins, probiotics, and CBD
- High-end cosmetics and skincare with active ingredients
- Specialty beverages, dairy alternatives, etc.
Look, there’s no one-size-fits-all in fulfillment. But if your goods don’t like high temperatures, or they melt, separate, rot, or grow fur in transit, temperature controlled storage isn’t optional. It’s critical.
Key Benefits of Temperature-Controlled 3PL Fulfillment
Here’s what a solid temperature controlled warehousing partner brings to the table:
- Consistency. A climate-controlled setup isn’t just cool sometimes. A good 3PL keeps a consistent temperature 24/7 using smart sensors, alarms, and responsive temperature monitoring systems.
- Flexibility. Need 1,000 square feet today and 10,000 next month? The right provider scales storage units and square footage with your seasonal swings.
- Regulatory compliance. Whether you’re dealing with FDA, USDA, or international guidelines, these folks help ensure compliance so you don’t get flagged or fined.
- Product quality. When your stored goods arrive fresh, intact, and ready to use, your customers notice. And so do your reviews.
- Lower risk. No more worrying about improper storage, spoiled batches, or losing a pallet because someone didn’t close the fridge door right.
What to Look for in a Temperature-Controlled Facility
Not all warehousing solutions are created equal. If you’re shopping for a 3PL, ask the awkward questions:
- What temperature ranges do they support?
- Can they offer different temperature zones in the same facility?
- Do they offer cold chain tracking or just ambient delivery?
- How often do they inspect and recalibrate their refrigeration equipment?
- What’s their backup power situation if temperatures rise unexpectedly?
Oh, and don’t forget the nerdy stuff, like expansion valves, airflow testing, and environmental conditions reporting. It’s not sexy, but it matters.
Final Thoughts
As ecommerce keeps moving into categories like wellness, food, and pharma, temperature-controlled warehousing needs are becoming the norm, not the niche. A few degrees can make or break a customer experience. A few missed requirements can sink a whole product launch.
So if you’re scaling a brand that relies on product integrity, get serious about your controlled warehousing strategy. Because when it comes to sensitive goods, the wrong warehouse is worse than no warehouse at all.
And if you’re still storing collagen gummies in your garage, well, it’s time to upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is temperature-controlled warehousing, and why does it matter?
Temperature-controlled warehousing is a storage solution that keeps goods within specific temperature and humidity ranges. It protects temperature-sensitive products from spoilage, ensuring quality, safety, and compliance across the supply chain.
Which products require temperature-controlled storage?
Items like perishable food, pharmaceutical products, skincare, supplements, and alcoholic beverages often need controlled temperatures to maintain product integrity and shelf life.
What temperature ranges are used in temperature-controlled warehouse facilities?
Most facilities operate within four different temperature ranges: frozen (-10°F to 0°F), refrigerated (33°F to 40°F), ambient (50°F to 70°F), and room temp with humidity control.
How does temperature-controlled warehousing support regulatory compliance?
By maintaining a consistent temperature range and offering detailed temperature monitoring, controlled facilities help brands meet FDA, USDA, and food safety standards.
Can a 3PL offer both ambient storage and cold chain solutions?
Yes. Many modern 3PLs provide flexible temperature-controlled warehousing solutions that include cold storage, ambient zones, and climate-controlled spaces, all under one roof.

Turn Returns Into New Revenue

Rich Returns & Exchanges: Advantages and Disadvantages
Rich Returns & Exchanges is a Shopify app designed to automate returns and exchanges for merchants, with a special focus on integration with the Shop mobile app. In other words, it’s a commerce merchant’s tool to let customers initiate returns/refunds or exchanges smoothly on mobile and web. The app promises a “mobile-first experience” where customers can start returns right from the Shop App (Shopify’s shopping app) at checkout. Behind the scenes, Rich Returns provides an intuitive, self-service returns portal and label generation system, plus analytics to manage refund and exchange rules. In practice, many Shopify stores use it to centralize returns: it pulls order data directly from Shopify, simplifies refunds (even by issuing store credit), and tracks everything in a unified dashboard.
What Rich Returns Does Well
On the features side, Rich Returns covers the expected bases of a modern returns tool. It offers a custom-branded returns portal (hosted on the merchant’s site) where customers see their order, select items to return or exchange, and choose a refund method (original payment, store credit, etc.). The app automatically generates prepaid return labels from over 100 carriers worldwide; for example, FedEx, UPS, USPS, DHL, etc., so customers only need to print labels and drop off packages. Rich Returns even provides pre-filled return labels, eliminating the need for shoppers to enter address details, which users say “saves a lot of time and effort.” Email notifications are sent out at key milestones (return received, refund issued, etc.) to keep customers informed. A particularly unique advantage is the tight Shop App integration: merchants can let shoppers handle returns directly via Shopify’s mobile Shop app, creating a seamless, “mobile-first experience” in line with modern commerce. This means returns are visible to the customer just like any order, boosting transparency.
For merchants, Rich Returns provides automation rules and insights. You can set up conditional exchange suggestions (so if an item isn’t working, the system can prompt an exchange offer instead of a refund) to help “recapture lost revenue”. The app can automatically apply basic refund or exchange policies, and even offer discounted shipping labels if connected to certain apps (e.g., EasyPost). It supports data syncing with Shopify and common CRM tools (e.g., Intercom, Klaviyo) so that returns data and analytics flow into a merchant’s dashboard. According to app store details, the Standard plan ($19/mo) includes features like 10 free returns per month, a branded portal, and automated labels. Higher plans unlock multi-language support and advanced rules. Overall, many review snippets highlight responsive support and ongoing new features; one user said the team is “constantly improving and adding new features”. Rich Returns aims to improve customer satisfaction by making returns frictionless, ultimately helping brands build loyalty and scale up. In short, its strengths include a polished user interface, a built-for-Shopify architecture, and a clear focus on retaining revenue through exchanges and store credit.
Make Returns Profitable, Yes!
Cut shipping and processing costs by 70% with our patented peer-to-peer returns solution. 4x faster than traditional returns.
See How It WorksWhere Things Fall Apart
On the downside, a few limitations emerge. A prominent complaint is limited multi-language support. One Shopify reviewer gave low marks, saying: “App does not really support multi-language. Very poor implementation with limitations.” They noted some parts of the interface were not fully localized. In today’s global market, that can be a drawback for brands selling in multiple regions. Another issue is rich media: the same review mentioned that including photo (and video) uploads in the return form requires an extra paid add-on, and base support is lacking. In other words, if a customer needs to show a picture of a defect, Rich Returns’ basic plan doesn’t cover it; that feature must be purchased separately. A few merchants also found the app’s feature set “quite basic” for complex returns workflows: as one put it, it’s “not made as a platform, because every manual interaction has to be handled through another tool or Shopify.” This suggests that while core refund/exchange flows are covered, anything outside those (e.g., special RMA review processes) might require manual work or another system.
Some support issues have surfaced, too. Though many five-star reviews praise the team’s responsiveness, at least one user reported slow or “standard answers” that didn’t solve problems. This mirrors AfterShip’s feedback in a way: good support is not always guaranteed. Pricing can be another pain point for growing merchants. Only the Standard plan is very low cost; volume fees kick in after 10 returns per month. If a shop has hundreds of returns, the cost can climb, and some users express frustration at ongoing per-return charges. That said, Rich Returns is generally seen as affordable for what it offers.
Smaller Gaps and Missing Features
In terms of integrations, Rich Returns supports carriers through apps like EasyPost/Shippo (so effectively 100+ carriers) and connects to Shopify natively. It lacks dedicated Shopify Plus or alternative platform integrations, but it doesn’t need to since it’s Shopify-centric. We should note, however, that as a younger app (launched in 2019, with about 80 reviews), it does not have the decades-long pedigree of older systems. Some advanced features, like returns consolidation or very granular automation, are still evolving.
Verdict: Built for Shopify Simplicity, But Light on Power Features
Rich Returns is a solid choice for Shopify merchants who want a modern, mobile-friendly returns system deeply integrated with Shopify data and the Shop app. Its advantages include a responsive interface, exchange incentives to hold onto sales, and automated return label creation from many carriers. Support and user reviews are generally positive, which is notable given some apps’ history of ignoring merchants. However, the drawbacks, such as limited languages, the need to pay extra for media uploads, and basic (non-enterprise) workflows, mean it may not suit large global brands or very complex returns needs. In practice, Rich Returns tends to be praised for ease of setup and ongoing improvements, but critics warn about the absence of deeper customization.
For U.S. ecommerce operators weighing returns solutions, Rich Returns compares favorably to standard options (like AfterShip), but alternatives exist. For example, Cahoot’s peer-to-peer returns solution can dramatically reduce shipping costs by routing returns directly from the returning customer to the next purchasing customer. In any case, Rich Returns achieves its goal of “saving time” and boosting revenue via exchanges, yet it’s important to verify that its features (multi-language, integrations, any extra fees) align with your store’s scale and customer base before committing.
Convert Returns Into New Sales and Profits
Our peer-to-peer returns system instantly resells returned items—no warehouse processing, and get paid before you refund.
I'm Interested in Peer-to-Peer ReturnsFrequently Asked Questions
Is Rich Returns only for Shopify?
Yes. It’s built specifically for Shopify merchants, with deep native integration and support for the Shop App. It’s not compatible with other ecommerce platforms.
Does it support photo uploads for return claims?
Not by default. Media uploads like photos or videos require a paid add-on. If your returns workflow relies on image-based verification, you’ll need to factor that into your budget.
Can Rich Returns handle exchanges automatically?
Yes, to a point. It supports exchange flows and can automatically suggest alternate items or offer store credit, helpful for saving the sale rather than losing it to a refund.
Is there multi-language support for international customers?
Sort of. Higher-tier plans include limited multi-language support, but some merchants report that localization is incomplete or poorly implemented.
What sets Rich Returns apart from other returns apps?
Its biggest strength is simplicity, especially for Shopify users. It’s easy to install, mobile-friendly, and offers a polished UI. That said, it may not have the depth or flexibility needed by large, complex operations.

Turn Returns Into New Revenue
