Does Shopify provide return tracking updates? (API/Webhooks)

Technical Q&A

Topic summary

Main issue: Whether Shopify offers a webhook that sends return label/tracking status updates (e.g., delivered) similar to outbound shipment tracking via FULFILLMENTS_UPDATE.

Key details:

  • Attempted topic: RETURNS_UPDATE (Admin GraphQL API v2024-04+). Observed it only triggers on return object changes, not carrier tracking events.
  • Desired behavior: Receive webhooks when a return shipment’s tracking status changes, especially when marked delivered, to trigger a custom returns workflow.

Suggestions raised:

  • One reply proposed using a third-party app to modify order/return emails, which does not address tracking webhooks.
  • OP is considering using the EasyPost API for tracking if Shopify lacks a dedicated return-tracking webhook topic.

Open questions/uncertainty:

  • No confirmed Shopify webhook topic identified that provides return tracking updates.
  • Whether such functionality exists under a different topic remains unanswered.

Status: Unresolved. OP seeks confirmation of an appropriate Shopify webhook for return tracking; otherwise may implement via carrier/aggregator API (e.g., EasyPost).

Summarized with AI on December 26. AI used: gpt-5.
1

Hi all,

Does Shopify provide return tracking updates on return labels/tracking numbers?

I tried subscribing to the RETURNS_UPDATE topic (GQL v2024-04+) and was expecting it to work similarly to FULFILLMENTS_UPDATE, which provides tracking updates for outbound shipments. Just needing to do the same thing with return shipments/tracking, but it seems that RETURNS_UPDATE only fires when the return object itself is updated.

Does this service exist under a different webhook topic?

2

Hello,

I am San from MS Web Designer.

If you need to update the tracking number in the order email or modify the return order email, you can use a third-party Shopify app to simplify the process.

Regards,

San

3

Hi San,

Thank you for the response. I am actually looking to get return tracking webhooks so that I can start a custom returns process on my Shopify app when a return package is marked as delivered by the carrier. Already have the endpoint setup, but I am having trouble figuring out which is the correct webhook topic to subscribe to, or if there even is a webhook topic for return tracking updates.

If needed, I could use the Easypost API, but I’d rather go through Shopify if I can.

Thanks,
Ryan