{"slug":"sop-215-set-up-shipping-returns-in-google-merchant-center-next","title":"Set up Shipping Returns in Google Merchant Center Next","tags":["source:clickminded","type:sop","server:clickminded-sop","shipping","returns","google","merchant"],"agent_summary":"SOP 215: Set up Shipping Returns in Google Merchant Center Next Set up shipping returns to provide customers with a seamless and hassle-free return experience. __Last Updated / Reviewed:__ 01/29/2025","trigger_phrases":["set up shipping returns in google merchant center next","how to set up shipping returns in google merchant center next"],"runnable":false,"markdown":"\r\nSOP 215: Set up Shipping Returns in Google Merchant Center Next\r\n\r\nSet up shipping returns to provide customers with a seamless and hassle-free return experience.\r\n\r\n__Last Updated / Reviewed:__ 01/29/2025\r\n\r\n__Execution Time:__ 30 minutes \r\n\r\n__🚀 Goal:__ To set up shipping returns in Google Merchant Center Next and provide customers with a seamless and hassle-free return experience.\r\n\r\n__🤞 Ideal Outcome:__ Customers can initiate a return from the Google Shopping interface and merchants will be notified to process the return and refund to the customer.\r\n\r\n__🤔 Why this is important:__ To provide a better customer experience and increase customer satisfaction. Merchants can build customer trust and encourage repeat purchases by offering easy returns.\r\n\r\n__🧐 Where this is done__ In Google Merchant Center Next.\r\n\r\n__🗓️ When this is done:__ Anytime. However, it is recommended to do this before launching any new products or promotions to ensure that customers have a smooth return experience. \r\n\r\n__👨 Who does this:__ This may include the business owner, marketing team, and/or operations team, depending on the size and structure of the organization.\r\n\r\n__⚠️Prerequisites or requirements: __Before setting up shipping returns in Google Merchant Center Next, merchants must have an active Google Merchant Center Next account. Follow SOP 213 ([web version](https://members.clickminded.com/sop/213/)) if you haven’t created an account.\r\n\r\nYou will also need a URL or a webpage for the product returns policy. This will be required and compulsory for Google when adding a return policy.  This ensures transparency for customers and helps Google verify that your store has clear return guidelines.\r\n\r\n[__Click here to get the most up-to-date version of this SOP__](https://members.clickminded.com/sop/215)\r\n\r\n## How to set up shipping returns in Google Merchant Center Next\r\n\r\n### 01▸ Sign in to your Google Merchant Center Next [here](https://merchants.google.com/). Choose the appropriate Gmail account and log in with your password. Click “Next”.\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n### 02▸ Go to \"Shipping and returns\" on the left navigation menu and click \"Add shipping\".\r\n\r\n### 03▸ Name your shipping policy and select or add one or a few countries. The number of countries to be added depends on your business delivery options. Click \"Continue\" to proceed.\r\n\r\n### 04▸ For this SOP, we'll select \"All products\". When selecting this option, it means that all products share the same shipping costs and delivery options.\r\n\r\n__Note:__ To specify products that consist of different shipping costs and delivery options, you'll need to add an attribute on your product data feed excel sheet called \"Shipping label\". For example, a shipping label that has an \"overvsized freight\". You can find the excel template when adding products into your online store using a Google provided template excel sheet. \r\n\r\n### 05▸ Select \"By carrier\", enter your ship-from location, choose a carrier and service level, and then click \"Continue\" to proceed.\r\n\r\n__Note:__ If you're using different carriers for different products or shipping options, select \"Enter specific delivery times manually\". On this page, you will see: \r\n\r\n- Order Cut-Off: The latest time an order can be placed for same-day processing.\r\n- Handling Time: The time it takes to prepare an order before shipping.\r\n- Transit Days: The time the package spends in transit with the shipping carrier.\r\n- Total Delivery Time: The full time from placing an order to receiving it (cut-off + handling + transit).\r\n\r\nTo get a better understanding, here's a scenario: You run an online store selling skincare products.\r\n\r\n- Order Cut-Off: You set 2 PM as the cut-off. Orders placed before 2 PM will be processed the same day; orders after 2 PM will be processed the next business day.\r\n- Handling Time: It takes 1 business day to pack and prepare orders for shipping.\r\n- Transit Days: The shipping carrier takes 3 business days to deliver.\r\n- Total Delivery Time: If a customer orders before 2 PM on Monday, the package will arrive on Thursday (1 day handling + 3 days transit).\r\n\r\nIf the order is placed after 2 PM on Monday, the order will be processed on Tuesday and delivered on Friday. This setup helps customers know when to expect their orders and builds trust in your store.\r\n\r\n### 06▸ Next, select the currency of your shipping cost and cost type. Finally, click \"Save\".\r\n\r\n__Note:__ We recommend selecting \"Free shipping\" as it is the best incentive for online shoppers and leads to higher average order values.","html":"<p>SOP 215: Set up Shipping Returns in Google Merchant Center Next</p>\n<p>Set up shipping returns to provide customers with a seamless and hassle-free return experience.</p>\n<p><strong>Last Updated / Reviewed:</strong> 01/29/2025</p>\n<p><strong>Execution Time:</strong> 30 minutes</p>\n<p><strong>🚀 Goal:</strong> To set up shipping returns in Google Merchant Center Next and provide customers with a seamless and hassle-free return experience.</p>\n<p><strong>🤞 Ideal Outcome:</strong> Customers can initiate a return from the Google Shopping interface and merchants will be notified to process the return and refund to the customer.</p>\n<p><strong>🤔 Why this is important:</strong> To provide a better customer experience and increase customer satisfaction. Merchants can build customer trust and encourage repeat purchases by offering easy returns.</p>\n<p><strong>🧐 Where this is done</strong> In Google Merchant Center Next.</p>\n<p><strong>🗓️ When this is done:</strong> Anytime. However, it is recommended to do this before launching any new products or promotions to ensure that customers have a smooth return experience.</p>\n<p><strong>👨 Who does this:</strong> This may include the business owner, marketing team, and/or operations team, depending on the size and structure of the organization.</p>\n<p>__⚠️Prerequisites or requirements: __Before setting up shipping returns in Google Merchant Center Next, merchants must have an active Google Merchant Center Next account. Follow SOP 213 (<a href=\"https://members.clickminded.com/sop/213/\">web version</a>) if you haven’t created an account.</p>\n<p>You will also need a URL or a webpage for the product returns policy. This will be required and compulsory for Google when adding a return policy.  This ensures transparency for customers and helps Google verify that your store has clear return guidelines.</p>\n<p><a href=\"https://members.clickminded.com/sop/215\"><strong>Click here to get the most up-to-date version of this SOP</strong></a></p>\n<h2>How to set up shipping returns in Google Merchant Center Next</h2>\n<h3>01▸ Sign in to your Google Merchant Center Next <a href=\"https://merchants.google.com/\">here</a>. Choose the appropriate Gmail account and log in with your password. Click “Next”.</h3>\n<h3>02▸ Go to \"Shipping and returns\" on the left navigation menu and click \"Add shipping\".</h3>\n<h3>03▸ Name your shipping policy and select or add one or a few countries. The number of countries to be added depends on your business delivery options. Click \"Continue\" to proceed.</h3>\n<h3>04▸ For this SOP, we'll select \"All products\". When selecting this option, it means that all products share the same shipping costs and delivery options.</h3>\n<p><strong>Note:</strong> To specify products that consist of different shipping costs and delivery options, you'll need to add an attribute on your product data feed excel sheet called \"Shipping label\". For example, a shipping label that has an \"overvsized freight\". You can find the excel template when adding products into your online store using a Google provided template excel sheet.</p>\n<h3>05▸ Select \"By carrier\", enter your ship-from location, choose a carrier and service level, and then click \"Continue\" to proceed.</h3>\n<p><strong>Note:</strong> If you're using different carriers for different products or shipping options, select \"Enter specific delivery times manually\". On this page, you will see:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Order Cut-Off: The latest time an order can be placed for same-day processing.</li>\n<li>Handling Time: The time it takes to prepare an order before shipping.</li>\n<li>Transit Days: The time the package spends in transit with the shipping carrier.</li>\n<li>Total Delivery Time: The full time from placing an order to receiving it (cut-off + handling + transit).</li>\n</ul>\n<p>To get a better understanding, here's a scenario: You run an online store selling skincare products.</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Order Cut-Off: You set 2 PM as the cut-off. Orders placed before 2 PM will be processed the same day; orders after 2 PM will be processed the next business day.</li>\n<li>Handling Time: It takes 1 business day to pack and prepare orders for shipping.</li>\n<li>Transit Days: The shipping carrier takes 3 business days to deliver.</li>\n<li>Total Delivery Time: If a customer orders before 2 PM on Monday, the package will arrive on Thursday (1 day handling + 3 days transit).</li>\n</ul>\n<p>If the order is placed after 2 PM on Monday, the order will be processed on Tuesday and delivered on Friday. This setup helps customers know when to expect their orders and builds trust in your store.</p>\n<h3>06▸ Next, select the currency of your shipping cost and cost type. Finally, click \"Save\".</h3>\n<p><strong>Note:</strong> We recommend selecting \"Free shipping\" as it is the best incentive for online shoppers and leads to higher average order values.</p>\n"}