What is a German return address?
A German return address is a physical address in Germany that a cross-border seller gives to customers and marketplaces so that returns are received, logged and processed locally instead of being shipped back abroad. Returned (Auctum GmbH, Schorfheide, Germany) provides one, typically within 48 hours on business days, from EUR 1.65 per return.
Who needs one
Any seller who ships to customers in Germany from another country runs into German return expectations sooner or later. The most common cases:
- Amazon.de FBM sellers: for merchant-fulfilled orders shipped from outside Germany, Amazon's international returns policy gives you options — a return address within Germany, a prepaid return label, or a refund without return, depending on the case. A German return address is one of the options Amazon accepts; check the platform's current official seller policy.
- Temu and Shein semi-managed sellers: in the semi-managed model, customer returns typically flow back to a local address in the EU, where they are received and processed — check the platform's current official seller policy for your account.
- TikTok Shop sellers: the return settings that apply to you depend on your region, programme and account — check your account's current official seller policy. A local receiving point where parcels are received, checked and documented keeps you prepared either way.
- eBay.de sellers: check your account's current official seller policy for the return-address rules that apply to you. A domestic address keeps returns faster and cheaper for German buyers.
- Zalando sellers (partner programme): the programme requires a valid EU return address for partners selling into its markets; the details that apply to you are governed by your partner agreement.
- Otto sellers: OTTO Market accepts returns to a warehouse in Germany or one of the EU countries OTTO specifies; the details are governed by your Otto partner agreement and Otto's current seller documentation.
- Your own Shopify store (or any webshop): you set the return policy yourself. A German return address shortens the return leg, keeps goods resellable in the EU and avoids cross-border customs hassle for returned parcels.
Your four options
There are four realistic ways to handle returns from German customers. Here is how they compare:
| Option | Upfront cost | Per-return cost | Speed to set up | Control over goods | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Own warehouse in Germany | High (rent, staff, equipment) | Varies with your volume and fixed costs | Months | Full | Large, established return volumes in Germany |
| Full-service 3PL | Low to medium (often onboarding or integration fees) | Varies — usually custom quotes, not published | Weeks | Medium — depends on the provider’s reporting | Sellers who also need fulfilment, not just returns |
| Return-address service (Returned) | EUR 31.50 one-time setup fee | From EUR 1.65 per return, plus EUR 31.50 per month subscription | Typically within 48 hours on business days | Full — you decide per item: reship, consolidate, dispose, value recovery | Cross-border sellers without a German entity who want published prices fast |
| Returnless refund | None | You lose the goods — the cost equals the item value | Immediate | None — the goods stay with the customer | Low-value items where return shipping exceeds the item value |
How a German return address works
- 1
Sign up and get verified
Complete your signup to receive your dedicated German returns address and account reference typically within 48 hours on business days.
- 2
Configure in marketplaces
Enter your German address and reference in your seller backend settings (Amazon, TikTok Shop, Temu, Shein, eBay, or your own store).
- 3
Returns arrive and are logged
We log each inbound return typically within 1 business day. Standard+ and Grading returns are opened, inspected and photographed per your service level.
- 4
You decide per item
For each item, choose: reship to customers, consolidate for bulk shipping, dispose, or hand over to value recovery.
- 5
We execute your decisions
We prepare reshipments, consolidation boxes, disposals, or value recovery listings based on your instructions.
What it costs
Returned publishes all processing prices. These are the rates relevant to your return address:
| Service | Price | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| One-time setup fee | EUR 31.50 | once |
| Monthly subscription | EUR 31.50 | per month |
| Basic processing | from EUR 1.65 | per return |
| Standard+ processing | from EUR 2.29 | per return |
| Grading processing | from EUR 2.75 | per return |
| Storage | First 14 days free, then per started week | - |
Billing: one return = one physically separate inbound parcel, carton, pallet or other handling unit. Multiple physical units are billed separately even within the same order, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Worked example
100 returns per month on Standard+ with an average of 1.5 items per return (the first item per return is included in the per-return price; the remaining 0.5 items per return are billed as additional items):
Effective cost per return: EUR 2.81
Plus a one-time setup fee of EUR 31.50. Use the instant calculator to model your own volumes.
Frequently asked questions
Is a German return address mandatory on Amazon.de?
No. For merchant-fulfilled orders shipped from outside Germany, Amazon's international returns policy gives sellers options: a return address within Germany, a prepaid return label, or a refund without requesting the return, depending on the case. A German return address is one of the options Amazon accepts — check Amazon's current official seller policy for your situation.
Can Chinese sellers use it?
Yes. Returned was built for cross-border sellers, including sellers based in China. Onboarding and support work in English and Chinese, no German company registration is needed, and the first 14 calendar days of storage are free.
Can Turkish sellers use it?
Yes. Sellers based in Turkey use the same service with support in Turkish and English. You receive your dedicated German return address and account reference typically within 48 hours on business days after completed signup.
How fast is the address ready?
Typically within 48 hours on business days after completed onboarding. The address arrives together with your account reference, ready to enter in Amazon Seller Central, TikTok Shop, Temu, Shein, eBay, Otto or your own shop backend.
What happens to items I don't want back?
You decide per item: disposal at the published rate of EUR 0.49 per item, consolidation for bulk shipping, or value recovery where Returned sells the items for you — the commission is quoted per product after inspection. Where accepted, a forfeit option under agreed terms is also available.
Who operates Returned?
Returned is the returns-management brand of Auctum GmbH, Finowfurter Ring 45, 16244 Schorfheide, Germany (commercial register HRB 21377, Amtsgericht Frankfurt (Oder), VAT ID DE251340219). The company has worked in logistics since 2005.
Get your German return address
Check the price calculator for your volumes, or start your onboarding now — your dedicated German return address is typically ready within 48 hours on business days.
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Last verified: 2026-09-05