retournummer

A retournummer, or return number, is a unique identifier assigned to a customer return within retail or logistics processes. It serves as a reference that links the return to the original order, customer, and items involved, facilitating tracking, processing, and settlement of refunds, exchanges, or warranty claims. The term is commonly used in Dutch- and German-speaking contexts and is often incorporated into e-commerce and reverse-logistics workflows.

Issuance and use

A retailer or logistics provider typically generates a retournummer after a customer initiates a return. The number may appear on a return authorization document or a return label and is entered into the retailer’s order management or ERP system. The retournummer is used by customer service to communicate with the customer, by the warehouse to identify the correct disposition of the returned goods, and by finance to process refunds or exchanges.

Lifecycle and processing

After issuance, the customer ships the item with the retournummer referenced on the package or label. Upon receipt, the return is scanned and matched to the original order. Inspections determine the disposition: restock, refund, exchange, or discard. Throughout this process, the retournummer enables status updates and audit trails, ensuring accurate accounting and handling of the return.

Relation to other terms

A retournummer is distinct from a tracking number, which follows the shipment itself. It may be used in conjunction with a return label and a return merchandise authorization (RMA) number, depending on the system. Formats vary by provider and software, typically numeric or alphanumeric, and the validity of a retournummer depends on the retailer’s return policy and processing timelines.