This article explains how to make exchange orders use the same shipping method as the original order, and how to keep the original shipping code so that warehouse and order management integrations can match the exchange order to the right service.
This article applies to merchants using Returns V2.
When Use shipping method from the original order is on, every exchange order gets the same shipping method as the original order. This stops zero-value exchange orders being created without a shipping method.
A second setting, Preserve shipping code on exchanges, also keeps the original order's shipping code on the exchange order. Both settings are described below.
How to turn on the settings
Both settings are on the Exchanges tab of your Swap dashboard settings.
Go to Returns → Settings.
Open the Exchanges tab.
Switch Use shipping method from the original order on or off.
Switch Preserve shipping code on exchanges on or off. This setting is opt-in.
How it works
When Use shipping method from the original order is on, the shipping method from the original order is applied to the exchange order. Which route is used depends on whether the exchange requires an additional payment:
Equal or cheaper exchanges — no additional payment is due, so the shipping method is copied straight onto the exchange order. Carrier information is retained and the shipping cost is set to 0.
Exchanges that require an additional payment — the exchange is created as a draft order for the customer to pay, and the shipping method is applied to that draft order. It carries through to the exchange order once the draft is completed.
Preserving the shipping code
Every shipping line on a Shopify order has a code that identifies the shipping service, for example "UK Standard Delivery (2-3 Working Days)". When an exchange order is created without that code, Shopify records the code as "custom". Any system that reads the code to identify the shipping service, such as a warehouse or order management integration, cannot then match the exchange order to the original service.
When Preserve shipping code on exchanges is on, the exchange order keeps the original order's shipping code instead of "custom".
In Shopify, the shipping line on the exchange order shows the original code and the original shipping price, with a single-use shipping discount that brings the amount charged to zero. For example, an original shipping line of £3.99 appears on the exchange order as £3.99 with a £3.99 discount, so the customer is charged £0.00 for shipping.
Global orders are excluded from this setting.
Limitations
No changes are made through the Exchange API.
If you disable Use shipping method from the original order, exchange orders will not automatically inherit the shipping method.
Preserve shipping code on exchanges does not apply to Global orders.