Connect a Shipping Carrier Account

Last updated: March 29, 2026

This guide explains how to connect a shipping carrier account to Route Returns, enabling the generation of return labels for your customers.

How label generation works

When a shopper submits a return through your branded returns portal, Route automatically generates a shipping label, a QR code, or both, depending on the provider and your configuration. Below are the available options for shipping providers you can connect to:

EasyPost Forge

EasyPost Forge is EasyPost's embedded carrier account solution. It lets you connect your own negotiated carrier rates to Route without managing a separate EasyPost account. It also allows you to use EasyPost's Wallet Carriers out-of-the-box if you do not have your own carrier accounts.

If you use an EasyPost Wallet Carrier, then you will be billed via the EasyPost Wallet, which you can setup in the dashboard. If you connect your own carrier accounts, then you will be billed through your existing configuration.

Requirements

  • N/A

What it enables

  • Printable shipping labels via any of EasyPost's supported carriers

  • Printerless QR codes on supported carriers

  • Automatic rate-shopping across enabled carriers

Connect via EasyPost Forge

  • Self-serve through Settings --> Shipping --> Setup EasyPost Forge

EasyPost API

EasyPost is a shipping API that connects Route to your underlying carrier accounts. When multiple carriers are enabled, Route automatically rate-shops for the cheapest label based on the shopper's location.

Requirements

  • An active EasyPost account with at least one carrier configured

What it enables

  • Printable shipping labels via any of EasyPost's supported carriers

  • Printerless QR codes on supported carriers

  • Automatic rate-shopping across enabled carriers

Connect Your EasyPost Account

  • Share your EasyPost API key with your account manager

Shippo API

Shippo is a shipping API that connects Route to your underlying carrier accounts. When multiple carriers are enabled, Route automatically rate-shops for the cheapest label based on the shopper's location.

Requirements

  • An active Shippo account with at least one carrier configured

What it enables

  • Printable shipping labels via any of Shippo's supported carriers

  • Printerless QR codes on supported carriers

  • Automatic rate-shopping across enabled carriers

Connect Your Shippo Account

  • Share your Shippo API key with your account manager

Happy Returns API

Happy Returns is a drop-off network that enables box-free, label-free (BFLF) returns for shoppers in the United States. Instead of printing a label, shoppers drop off their return at a Happy Returns location and receive a QR code.

Requirements

  • An active Happy Returns account

  • Available for US shoppers only

What it enables

  • Box-free, label-free drop-off returns at Happy Returns locations across the US

  • QR code-based drop-off flow for shoppers (no printing required)

Connect Happy Returns

  • Your account manager will coordinate with Happy Returns to get setup

Global-e API

Global-e is a cross-border e-commerce platform. It is helpful for generating international return labels in regions where you do not have your own carrier accounts.

Requirements

  • An active Global-e account

What it enables

  • International shipping

  • Cross-border carrier routing

Connect Global-e

  • Share your Global-e API key with your account manager

What happens after you connect

Once a shipping service is connected, Route can begin generating labels. If you have enabled multiple shipping services within your account, Route automatically rate-shops across them and selects the lowest-cost option based on the shopper's location.