# Returns

Returns are linked to one specific order. They get created in `draft` status and become `requested` when a customer requests to return SKUs from an order. Requested returns can be `approved` or `cancelled`. An approved return becomes `shipped` once it leaves the customer's address (origin). As soon as they reach the available return location (destination), shipped returns can either be marked as `received` and restocked to an [inventory location](https://docs.commercelayer.io/core-api-reference/inventory_stock_locations) or — in case of any errors (e.g. the customer sent back the wrong products) — be marked as `rejected`. Received returns can be [refunded](#refunding-from-a-return), in which case, their status becomes `refunded`.

{% hint style="info" %}
Returns are still creatable and updatable even when the associated order's fulfillment status is `in_progress`. If needed, you can mark a return as received also directly from the `requested` or `approved` status.
{% endhint %}

## Refunding from a return

As long as a return's status is `received` a refund process can be initiated starting from the return itself. This way a `reference_refund` relationship is added to the return. To do that, you need to pass two trigger attributes:

* `_refund` — set it as `true` to trigger the refund.
* `_refund_amount_cents` — specify a value that will be used as the amount to be refunded.

{% hint style="warning" %}
The API provides an estimated value for the amount to be refunded and exposes it in the `estimated_refund_amount_cents` attribute. Please consider it a gentle guess that is computed based on the price and quantity of the returned items discounted by the related `discount_cent`. Be aware that it might differ from the associated order's capture refund balance.
{% endhint %}

By default, the capture that will be refunded is the most recently succeeded capture associated with the related order. In the case of an order associated with multiple captures, you can also specify the exact capture (different from the most recently succeeded) to be refunded passing the `reference_capture` relationship when sending the triggers, provided that the specified capture is succeeded as well. Otherwise, the API will return an error that will be stored in the related [resource errors](https://docs.commercelayer.io/core-api-reference/resource_errors). If that amount you pass is less than `refund_balance_cents` of the associated capture, a partial refund will be triggered (if you then want to amend the remaining balance you'll need to trigger a new refund starting from the associated order). If it's equal a full refund will be triggered. If it's greater the API will return an error.

<details>

<summary>Data model</summary>

Check the related [ER diagram](https://commercelayer.io/docs/data-model/returns-management) and explore the flowchart that illustrates how the return resource relates to the other API entities.

</details>