BY BUSINESS NEED / REVERSE LOGISTICS
RETURNS AND REVERSE LOGISTICS
Reverse logistics starts before goods are sent back. Identify the owner, original order references, current location and reason for return. Record the product condition and the decision still needed. VG Shipping reviews the return transport and handling coordination scope for the actual goods. Inspection, repair, repacking and resale preparation have different requirements and approval points. The product owner should authorise the next action after reviewing the available evidence and costs. Returned products are not automatically suitable for transport, repair or resale.
POINTS TO RESOLVE BEFORE DISPATCH
01 / PREPARATION
Match the return to the original order, product model and quantity. Keep serial or batch references where used. A receiving team needs a clear record to distinguish each return and report missing or mismatched items.
02 / PREPARATION
Provide photographs and disclose defects, damage or other known concerns. Product condition can affect handling and acceptance. Ask the appropriate provider to review suitability before the return is collected or combined with other goods.
03 / PREPARATION
Define the inspection evidence and who decides the disposition. A return receiving record does not authorise repair or establish resale eligibility. Obtain the owner instruction and approve the work before additional handling begins.
DEFINE THE HANDOVERS
Provide ownership, authorisation and original order references. Record the current location, quantities, condition and reason for return.
Check cargo suitability and proposed destination. Agree package identification, arrival checks and the records required for discrepancies.
Present the agreed inspection findings or condition evidence to the authorised owner. Keep repair, repacking or resale instructions as separate approvals.
Confirm the completed work, final packing record and onward destination. Review new acceptance or receiving requirements before another shipment is arranged.
COMPARE THE REQUESTED SCOPE
| Shipment situation | When to review it | Approval or information needed |
|---|---|---|
| Return for inspection | The owner needs agreed condition evidence before deciding the next step. | Define the checks, report format and limits of the receiving or inspection work. |
| Repair coordination | An appropriate specialist is asked to review a repairable product. | Approve the technical scope, charges and product-release criteria separately from transport. |
| Resale preparation review | The owner is considering an onward commercial route for returned stock. | Confirm product condition, eligibility and owner instructions; preparation does not guarantee a sale. |
CONNECTED TRANSPORT AND SUPPORT
Review the current location, product condition, return references and destination before arranging transport. Confirm cargo acceptance and the appropriate document responsibilities for the actual return.
Review return servicesDefine the evidence required and the specialist work proposed. Keep the product owner approval for technical work and disposition separate from collection or routine package receiving.
Discuss the return briefCOST AND WORK BOUNDARIES
Current location, condition, packing and route suitability affect the proposed return movement.
Storage, inspection, repair coordination and repacking need a defined task and approval basis.
The final destination, packing and owner decision determine which onward transport work can be reviewed.
PREPARE A SHIPMENT-SPECIFIC BRIEF
Provide authorisation, original order details, product model and any serial or batch records.
Send photographs and disclose defects, damage, batteries or other characteristics requiring review.
State whether the goods need receiving checks, inspection, repair review or resale preparation.
Name the person who approves charges and disposition and identify the intended next receiving point.
KEEP THE APPROVAL POINT CLEAR
Returned inventory can stay on hold while a disposition is being reviewed. Agree storage terms and the reporting process in advance. Specialist repair, treatment or disposal requires its own reviewed scope and appropriate provider. Transport coordination alone should not authorise an irreversible handling decision.
RELATED SERVICE
Review returns, repair & resale against the product, packed cargo and handovers defined in this brief. Confirm the requested tasks, provider responsibilities and exclusions before arranging work.
Explore the related serviceRELATED SOLUTIONS
01 / RELATED SOLUTION
Share the cargo ready date and latest acceptable delivery date when reviewing urgent shipping from China. Check flight or express suitability alongside pickup, clearance and final delivery.
02 / RELATED SOLUTION
Review door-to-door shipping around the receiving address, cargo details and named delivery point. Confirm the quoted handling scope, clearance responsibilities and exclusions in writing.
03 / RELATED SOLUTION
Connect sourcing support, supplier follow-up, warehouse consolidation and international freight. Define the approval points and handovers for each stage of your China supply chain.
PRACTICAL PREPARATION GUIDES
RETURNS AND REVERSE LOGISTICS QUESTIONS
Review the product information, work boundaries and approval points for the actual shipment.
Provide the current cargo location, owner and return authorisation, original order references, quantities and product condition. Add photographs and the intended receiving destination. Explain whether inspection, repair review, repacking or resale preparation is being considered and identify the person who can approve the next action.
Suitability depends on the actual product, condition and proposed work or route. Declare damage and special features before collection. The appropriate providers must review acceptance and any technical repair scope. A return instruction does not establish that standard freight or a repair service is available for every item.
Agree which counts, references and visible-condition checks are included at arrival. A product-level inspection requires its own criteria, scope and evidence. Name the owner contact who reviews findings and approves further work. Routine package receiving should not be described as a complete technical or quality assessment.
Prepare a receiving list that keeps each return and owner reference traceable. Review compatibility, condition and package protection before combining cargo. Agree shortage and exception records and the release decision. Different dispositions or destinations may need separate handling instructions even when the goods share one physical movement.
Preparation does not establish market demand, product eligibility or a sale. The owner must approve the intended commercial route and the evidence needed for product condition. Define any inspection, repacking or documentation task separately. Review the proposed transport only after the relevant disposition and receiving decisions are clear.
Keep the goods under the agreed hold and storage instructions while the owner reviews the evidence and costs. Identify a response deadline and authorised contact. Additional repair, treatment, disposal or onward shipment should follow an explicit reviewed scope and owner approval rather than an assumption made during receiving.
RETURNS AND REVERSE LOGISTICS ENQUIRY
Provide authorisation, original order details, product model and any serial or batch records. Send photographs and disclose defects, damage, batteries or other characteristics requiring review. State whether the goods need receiving checks, inspection, repair review or resale preparation. Name the person who approves charges and disposition and identify the intended next receiving point.
Identify any information that is still an estimate or awaiting approval. The proposed work, cargo acceptance and quotation basis must be confirmed for the actual order before dispatch.
