Reshipment

Reshipment is the process of sending a shipment again to a different destination or after the original shipment failed to reach its intended recipient. In logistics and e-commerce, reshipment commonly occurs when a package is returned to the sender, redirected after a delivery attempt, or issued as a replacement for a lost, damaged, or incorrectly fulfilled item. It may also arise when a customer changes the delivery address after an order is placed.

The reshipment workflow typically begins with the receipt of a returned package or a customer request for redirection. The item is inspected, the destination is confirmed, and a new shipping label is prepared. A new tracking number is issued, and the shipment is dispatched using an appropriate service level. For international orders, customs paperwork may need updating. Some policies require verification of identity or consent for a change of address. Costs may be borne by the seller, buyer, or split according to the reason for reshipment.

Types of reshipment include domestic reroutes within the same country, international reshipments, replacement shipments issued for damaged or missing items, and redirected shipments to a warehouse or third-party address for consolidation or further processing.

Considerations include extra delivery time, added fees, impact on inventory, and potential fraud risk. Insurers and carriers may have specific coverage rules. Businesses often track metrics such as reshipment rate and common causes to improve fulfillment.

Best practices involve clear documentation, verifying new addresses, obtaining explicit authorization for address changes, using insured and trackable carriers, and maintaining open communication with customers throughout the process.