This guide assumes you have API access and the necessary permissions. For help
enabling these features or to request sandbox/testing access, contact your
Loop point of contact, Merchant Success Manager, or support@loopreturns.com.
🧭 Overview
This use case shows how to connect your systems to Loop Returns and integrate at key points in the return lifecycle. The two guides below, when used together, provide the full picture for building an end-to-end integration.Why integrate directly with Loop?
Connecting Loop to your ERP, WMS, 3PL, or other systems unlocks real-time data, advanced automation, and richer return workflows than Shopify alone. Direct integration enables:
Connecting Loop to your ERP, WMS, 3PL, or other systems unlocks real-time data, advanced automation, and richer return workflows than Shopify alone. Direct integration enables:
- Immediate event notifications and data sync via webhooks
- Access to detailed return and shipment data not available in Shopify
- Support for advanced flows like item grading & disposition
- Flexible integration with multiple systems and middleware
Retrieving Return Data
Learn how to access, sync, and pull Loop return data.
Actioning on Returns
See how to automate, update, and finalize returns via API.
🧠 Integration Mindsets
Most integrations with Loop fall into one of two broad categories: 1-way and 2-way. Many brands start with a 1-way integration and evolve to 2-way as their needs grow. Below are summaries and common use cases for each approach; the application of these concepts will be explored in more detail in later sections.Common integration patterns
- Loop ↔️ ERP (e.g., NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics)
- Loop ↔️ WMS (Warehouse Management System)
- Loop ↔️ OMS (Order Management System)
- Loop ↔️ 3PL (Third-Party Logistics)
- Loop ↔️ Middleware/iPaaS (e.g., Celigo, Alloy, custom connectors)
- Direct API integrations
| Pattern | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Loop ↔️ ERP | Centralizes all data, familiar workflows |
| Loop ↔️ WMS | Real-time warehouse updates, faster fulfillment |
| Loop ↔️ 3PL | Enables item grading & disposition, direct carrier/warehouse updates |
| Loop ↔️ Middleware/iPaaS | Flexible, scalable, connects multiple systems |
| Hybrid (ERP+WMS/3PL) | Best of both worlds, tailored automation |
FAQ: Why not just use Shopify?
Loop provides richer return data, real-time events, and advanced workflows that Shopify alone doesn’t support.
Loop provides richer return data, real-time events, and advanced workflows that Shopify alone doesn’t support.
➡️ 1-Way Integration
Loop pushes return data to your system—either instantly via webhooks or on a schedule via API polling. Your system listens for these updates and triggers downstream processes like RMA creation, warehouse prep, or reconciliation.For a full list of available webhooks and API endpoints, see the Retrieving
Return Data guide.
- Trigger workflows in your WMS/ERP as soon as a return is created (using the Return Webhook).
- Sync all return activity into a data warehouse for analytics (using the Detailed Returns List API).
- Power customer service dashboards by pulling all returns for a specific order (using the Get Return Details API).
🔁 2-Way Integration
Your system not only receives updates from Loop, but also sends actions and decisions back—enabling full automation and bi-directional sync. This allows you to programmatically process, flag, close, or annotate returns based on your own business rules, so both Loop and your internal systems always reflect the latest status.For a full list of available API endpoints, see the Actioning on Returns
guide.
- Automatically process and finalize returns (refund, exchange, store credit) from your WMS/ERP using the Process Return API.
- Grade and disposition returned items from your WMS/ERP, then push those decisions to Loop using the Item Grading & Dispositioning APIs.
- Add internal notes or comments to returns for audit trails and team collaboration (using the Create Return Note API).
Start with 1-way, evolve to 2-way as business needs grow.
📦 Return Lifecycle
The following sections walk through the key integration touchpoints throughout the lifecycle of a return. Each stage highlights a high-level event or milestone in the return flow, making it easy to see where and how your systems can connect with Loop at every step.1
🆕 Return created
Customer submits a return request in the Loop portal.
2
📦 Customer Ships Items
Items are shipped or dropped off by the customer.
3
🔄 Return Review & Processing
Warehouse reviews, grades, and processes returned items.
4
✅ Return Concluded
Return is closed and outcomes are finalized in all systems.
🆕 Return Created
This stage begins when the customer submits their return request in the Loop portal. What Happens- Customer selects the items to return and why, the outcome (refund, exchange, etc.), and return method (if applicable).
- Return is created in Loop.
- Loop updates the original Shopify order to reflect the in-progress return.
| Use Case | Loop Resource |
|---|---|
| Receive real-time notifications when a return is created | Return Webhook |
| Pull new or updated return data on demand | Get Return Details API |
| Trigger downstream processes (e.g., create RMA, update ERP) | Return Webhook, Get Return Details API |
📦 Customer Ships Items
This stage begins once the customer has shipped or dropped off the items they are returning. What Happens- Items required for return are shipped or dropped off by the customer.
- (Optional) If you track RMAs/ASNs, your system can update their status to reflect items in transit.
- Tracking information for the return becomes available and can be updated.
Returns can be processed
automatically
during this stage based on shipping label status (e.g., “in transit”,
“delivered”). Whether and when this occurs depends on your brand’s Loop return
policy and workflow configuration.
| Use Case / Opportunity | Loop Resource |
|---|---|
| Get tracking updates and in-transit status for returned items | Return.updated Webhook, Label Webhook |
| Pull latest tracking and shipment info for a return | Get Return Details API, Detailed Returns List API, Advanced Shipping Notice API |
| Sync RMA/ASN status in your WMS/ERP based on shipment events | Return.updated Webhook, Label Webhook |
🔄 Return Review & Processing
At this stage, returned items have arrived at the warehouse (or other destination) and are reviewed for quantity, quality, and eligibility for restock. Based on this review, returns can be processed (triggering automated outcomes in Shopify), flagged for manual review, or otherwise updated in Loop.Due to automated processing events, some returns may already have been
processed by the time items arrive at the warehouse. Review your Loop workflow
configuration for details.
- Warehouse or receiving team inspects items for correctness and condition.
- Items are graded, dispositioned, or flagged if issues are found.
- Return is processed, triggering Loop to automate outcomes such as refunds, exchanges, or restocks in Shopify.
| Use Case / Opportunity | Loop Resource |
|---|---|
| Programmatically process or finalize a return | Process Return API |
| Grade items and push disposition decisions to Loop | Item Grading & Dispositioning APIs |
| Flag a return for manual review or investigation | Flag Return API |
| Add internal notes or comments for audit trails | Create Return Note API |
For the full range of actions and automation available at this stage, see the
Actioning on Returns guide.
✅ Return Concluded
At this point, Loop has completed processing the return and created the appropriate outcomes in Shopify (refund, exchange, store credit, etc.). This is the final stage, where you can ingest final updates into your own systems to ensure all records are in sync. What Happens- Outcomes (refund, exchange, store credit) are created in Shopify by Loop.
- The return is closed in Loop.
- Final updates can be sent to 3rd party systems to reflect the completed return.
| Use Case / Opportunity | Loop Resource |
|---|---|
| Receive notification when a return is fully completed | Return.closed Webhook |
| Ingest final return outcome into 3rd party systems | Return.closed Webhook, Get Return Details API |
✔️ Conclusion
How long does integration take?
Implementation time varies widely based on your systems, integration depth, and internal resources. Some brands launch basic integrations in days, while others require weeks for more advanced workflows. Your Loop point of contact can help estimate effort for your use case.
Implementation time varies widely based on your systems, integration depth, and internal resources. Some brands launch basic integrations in days, while others require weeks for more advanced workflows. Your Loop point of contact can help estimate effort for your use case.