How to Set Up Stripe for Collecting Return Shipping Fees from Buyers

This section describes how to set up a Stripe account and receive shipping fees from returns.

By creating and connecting your Stripe account, you can accept shipping fees from buyers who create the return order.

Kindly note that we still deduct the shipping fee from your Return Helper user balance. The transaction amount from the buyer is directly transferred to your Stripe account. i.e. We do not charge the buyer directly.

How to connect Stripe?

Step 1: Access Shopify Return Portal

1. Log in to your Shopify Return Portal.

2. Navigate to Customization > Collection Account.

Step 2: Install Stripe Account

1. Click on “Install Stripe Account”.

2. You will be redirected to the Stripe account setup page.

Step 3: Complete the Registration

1. Fill in your company/individual information on the Stripe registration page and submit the form.

2. Important Notes:

•These details are required by Stripe for account verification.

•Return Helper does not store any of your information

References:

•What do I need to do to verify my Stripe account?

•Documents for business verification

Step 4: Finalize Setup

1. Once the setup is complete, you will return to Shopify Return Portal.

2. You should see a confirmation screen indicating your Stripe account has been successfully activated and linked.

Stripe account is successfully activated and linked to your Shopify return portal.

Important Notes When Connecting Your Stripe Account

Recommendation:

When connecting Stripe, we recommend that users create a dedicated sub-account specifically for Return Helper.

If users connect their main account, the Return Helper system will be able to access all transactions and the existing balance in that account, which might raise privacy concerns.

•How to Create a Sub-account:

•If the user already has a Stripe account: They can either create a new sub-account directly on the Stripe connection page or create one through the Stripe platform.

•If the user does not have a Stripe account: They need to create a new main account, which can be used for other purposes, and then create a sub-account for Return Helper.

Reference:

Stripe SOP for Creating Sub-accounts (language switch available at the bottom-left of the page)

How to Adjust Service Permissions and Ratio Settings After Connecting Stripe？

Once connected to Shopify, you can adjust service type permissions and ratio settings via
Shopify Return -> Shopify Service Management.

The Ratio Setting allows you to determine the percentage of the label cost that the buyer needs to cover. The ratio can be set up to a maximum of 200%, enabling you to charge buyers double the cost if needed.

How Does a Buyer Pay the Shipping Fee?

Step 1: Select Shipping Options

1. Before submitting a return case, buyers will see the available shipping options and their respective fees.

2. Buyers can select their preferred shipping option.

Step 2: Stripe Checkout

1. Buyers will be redirected to the Stripe checkout page.

2. They complete the payment process on Stripe.

Step 3: Return Case Creation

1. Once payment is completed, the return case is automatically created.

2. Sellers can proceed with the return process.

Step 4: Buyer Notification

1. The buyer will receive a confirmation email that the shipping fee has been successfully paid.

📌 Stripe Integration Guidelines for Multi-Brand or Multi-Store Merchants

If you’re a platform operator or service provider managing multiple Shopify stores (e.g., for different clients or brands), and you wish to centralize return shipping fee collection via Stripe, please refer to the following recommendations. These ensure compliance, system stability, and scalability.

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✅  Use Stripe Connect with Separate Connected Accounts per Portal

Stripe Connect is Stripe’s platform solution designed for managing payments across multiple sub-merchants. With a single Stripe master account, you can create a dedicated Connected Account for each Shopify Portal. This setup is officially supported by Stripe and aligns with Return Helper’s system architecture.

Benefits:

• Correct Billing Descriptions: Each customer will see the correct brand or merchant name on their credit card statement.

• Independent Reconciliation & Risk Control: Refunds, disputes, and chargebacks are isolated per brand or client account.

• Full Compatibility: Return Helper supports connecting one Shopify Portal to one unique Stripe Connected Account, enabling automated payment processing, reconciliation, and transaction tracking.

🔒 Important Note:

Stripe enforces a one-to-one relationship between each Connected Account and platform. You cannot share one Connected Account across multiple stores or platforms. Return Helper also follows this one-store-one-account model.

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🔧 What You Need to Know About Creating Connected Accounts

• Connected Accounts are sub-accounts under your Stripe master account.
  
  

• You only need to go through the KYC (Know Your Customer) and bank verification process once for your master account.
  
  

• Each Connected Account must still provide basic business info, but when using Express Connect, the onboarding is simplified and can be completed in just a few minutes.

📎 Stripe Docs – Creating Connected Accounts

Stripe Payment Details

1.  ShopifyReturnId Metadata:

•In Stripe’s payment details, there will be a field called ShopifyReturnId. Sellers can use this metadata to look up the corresponding Shopify order.

2. Payment Process Similar to Credit Card

Pre-Authorization:

•When a buyer submits a return order, the system temporarily authorizes the buyer’s payment amount.

Handling of Authorized Payment:

•Seller Approves Order: Stripe automatically captures the authorized amount.

•Seller Rejects Order or Label Generation Fails: The system will automatically release the authorized amount back to the buyer.

•Seller Resubmits Order: The system will reprocess the request.

•7-Day Authorization Limit: If the amount is not captured within 7 days, Stripe will automatically release the authorization. At this point, the system status will change to Payment Cancel, and the buyer will need to resubmit their return order.

3. Best Practices for Sellers:

•Avoid Manually Capturing or Canceling Payments on Stripe:

•While the Return Helper system has measures in place (e.g., if a seller manually captures a payment on Stripe, the corresponding Shopify order will be automatically approved), manual operations on Stripe still pose risks.

•To minimize risks, it is recommended that sellers handle all payment-related actions exclusively through the Return Helper system.

Important Notes

1. Transaction Processing: All shipping fees paid by the buyer are transferred directly to your Stripe account.

2. Stripe Fees:

•Stripe charges a processing fee for each transaction.

•Return Helper does not charge any additional fees.

3. Check Your Transactions: Log in to your Stripe account to view your transaction details.

FAQs

•What if I don’t have a Stripe account?

•If you do not have a Stripe account, you can easily set one up here.

•Why is my balance deducted even after the buyer pays?

•To ensure a smooth return process, the shipping fee is still deducted from your Return Helper balance. Refunds, if applicable, will be returned to your balance later.