Overview
Returns Portal for WooCommerce adds a return portal to the customer’s My account area and a Returns screen to your WooCommerce admin. Customers request a return for an eligible order; you review, approve and close it without email back-and-forth.
| Customer portal | My account → Returns |
|---|---|
| Admin overview | WooCommerce → Returns |
| Requirements | WordPress and WooCommerce (HPOS supported) |
| Editions | Lite: free on WordPress.org · Pro: from €59 / year |
Getting started
Install and activate Lite
Install Returns Portal for WooCommerce from WordPress.org and activate it. The Returns tab appears in My account and the Returns screen appears under WooCommerce.
Set your return window
Configure the global return window, for example 30 days. It decides which orders customers can select for a return.
Check the customer portal
Log in as a customer and open My account → Returns. Select an eligible order, choose the products and quantities, pick a return reason and add an explanation. Then submit the request.
Review and approve
Open WooCommerce → Returns. Each request shows the products, the reason and the customer’s explanation. Approve or reject it in one click.
Receive and close
When the item comes back, mark the return as received. Close it when the return is complete. The status timeline keeps the full history, and the customer follows every step in their account.
Return statuses
Every return moves through these statuses. Customers see the same timeline in My account.
- Pending (awaiting review)
- The customer has requested the return. It is waiting for your decision.
- Approved
- You have approved the return. The customer can send the item back.
- Rejected
- The return request was not accepted.
- Received
- The item has arrived back at your store.
- Closed
- The return is complete and the timeline is final.
Lite features
Everything included in the free Lite version on WordPress.org:
- Customer return portal
- Logged-in customer returns
- Select an eligible WooCommerce order
- Select products to return
- Select return quantities
- Basic return reasons
- Customer explanation
- Submit return request
- Customer return overview
- Return status tracking
- Admin return management
- Approve returns
- Reject returns
- Mark returns as received
- Close returns
- Basic return history/status timeline
- Configurable global return window
- WooCommerce HPOS compatibility
Pro features PRO
Returns Portal for WooCommerce Pro adds these workflows on top of Lite.
Return rules
Set rules per product and per category, exclude products from returns and mark products as final sale. Example: shoes returnable within 60 days if unworn, sale items not returnable.
Guest returns
Customers without an account can request a return. Secure guest verification links the request to the right order.
Photo and evidence uploads
Customers upload photos to support their request, for example for damaged items.
Resolutions
Choose per return whether to refund to the original payment method, give store credit, send a replacement or process an exchange.
Automation, notifications and analytics
Automate steps, send advanced email notifications, route returns to the right staff member and see your return rate, top reasons and handling time.
All Pro features
- Guest returns
- Secure guest verification
- Photo and evidence uploads
- Advanced return policies
- Product-specific return rules
- Category-specific rules
- Product exclusions
- Final-sale rules
- Replacement workflows
- Exchange workflows
- Store credit workflows
- Advanced refund workflows
- Advanced statuses
- Shipping/tracking integrations
- Automation
- Advanced email notifications
- Advanced staff workflows
- Return analytics and reporting
- Commercial updates and support
Upgrading to Pro
- Choose a licence on the pricing section of Returns Portal for WooCommerce, or take the Pro Bundle.
- Download Returns Portal for WooCommerce Pro from your account.
- Upload it under Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin and activate it.
- Enter your licence key in the plugin settings to receive updates and support.
Pro builds on Lite, so your existing settings and data stay in place.
FAQ
Is the Lite version of Returns Portal for WooCommerce really free?
Yes. Lite is available for free on WordPress.org and includes a complete customer return portal and admin return management.
Can guests request a return?
Lite supports returns by logged-in customers. Pro adds guest returns with secure guest verification.
Can I set different return rules per product or category?
Lite uses one configurable global return window. Pro adds product-specific and category-specific rules, product exclusions and final-sale rules.
Does it support exchanges, replacements and store credit?
Yes, in Pro. You choose per return whether to refund, replace, exchange or give store credit.
Will I lose my returns when I upgrade to Pro?
No. Pro builds on Lite, so your settings and existing returns stay in place.
Is it compatible with HPOS?
Yes. Both Lite and Pro are compatible with WooCommerce High-Performance Order Storage.
What happens when my Pro licence expires?
The plugin keeps working. You stop receiving commercial updates and support until you renew.
Troubleshooting
- An order can’t be selected
- Only orders within the return window are eligible. Check the order date against your configured window.
- Customers don’t see the Returns tab
- Lite supports returns by logged-in customers. Check that the customer is logged in. Guest returns require Pro.