End-to-End Reverse Logistics Management
Every return carries useful data on product quality, customer behavior, and recoverable margin. Our reverse logistics services connect every step of the returns journey, from online portals to grading, refurbishment, and disposal.
- Seamless returns initiation: Support paperless returns, pre-printed labels, and pick-up and drop-off (PUDO) through a carrier-independent network, giving end customers a consistent experience across every channel.
- Real-time inventory tracking: Monitor every serial number, SKU, and credit note across all sites and regions through a single cloud-based IT platform.
- Automated credit processing: Trigger refunds and credit notes upon return registration, reducing manual reconciliation and accelerating financial close.
- Branded post-purchase experience: Deliver a consistent, branded returns journey across every channel through our customer experience platform.
- Category-specific workcells: Handle tech, fashion, and medical returns in dedicated processing environments, including compliant dangerous goods returns.
- Documented destruction: Dispose of pharmaceutical items securely using our documented destruction service, supported by tamper-proof certificates and full regulatory documentation.
- Circular economy approach: Extend product lifecycles through refurbishment and re-commerce programs, reducing waste and recovering more value from every return.
- Flex capacity: Absorb peak-season return volumes without additional capital expenditure, drawing on capacity across our 100+ global sites.
Our Reverse Logistics Services
We offer end-to-end reverse logistics services to help you recover more value, stay compliant, and scale with confidence.
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Returns Initiation
QR codes, self-print labels, paperless portals, and in-store drop-off options make it easy for your end customers to initiate returns across any channel, powered by our customer experience platform.
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Collection & Reverse Logistics Courier Tracking
Carrier-independent pickup through a multi-carrier network gives you and your end customers real-time visibility of return shipments from collection to inbound receipt.
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Receiving & Grading
Every inbound item is physically inspected and assigned an ABCD condition code, with photography and detailed condition logging that supports accurate downstream routing and faster decision-making.
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Refurbishment & Rework
Returned products are restored to resaleable condition through cosmetic repair, functional testing, firmware reflashing, textile reconditioning, and repackaging, all handled in category-specific workcells.
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Loaner Management
We inspect, calibrate, and rotate medical equipment pools to maintain availability and compliance at all times.
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Recall Management
We support compliant recall execution through a documented, auditable returns process, helping you respond quickly while maintaining the records your regulatory obligations require.
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Documented Destruction
Dispose of pharmaceutical products securely through our documented destruction service, with tamper-proof certificates and full regulatory documentation to support your compliance requirements.
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Credit Note & Refund Processing
Automated credit note issuance tied directly to inventory status reduces manual reconciliation cycles and speeds up the financial close process for your returns operation.
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Recycling & Disposal
For non-recoverable items, certified recycling and end-of-life management partners keep disposal compliant, fully documented, and aligned with your sustainability targets.
Industries We Serve
With expertise across regulated and high-volume industries, we deliver reverse logistics solutions built around the necessary compliance, handling, and recovery requirements of these sectors.
High return rates and quality-sensitive product handling require a returns process that moves quickly and protects brand presentation. We support textile reconditioning, including sewing, tunneling, steaming, and pressing, to restore garments to resaleable condition, alongside grading, repackaging, and recycling programs for non-recoverable items.
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Success Stories from Our Clients
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Efficient logistics is one of the most important pillars for any omnichannel retailer. With the new and state-of-the-art logistics center in Hamm, we have reached a decisive milestone in linking store business and online store in the DACH region even more closely — also and especially to the benefit of our customers and suppliers.
Sander van der Laan CEO Douglas Group -
Arvato convinced us with its in-depth automation and process expertise. In addition, they were willing to invest in future-proof automation technology that supports our fast volume growth and increasing client demands. Scalability and flexibility of our fulfillment partner are critical to our success — and we found that with Arvato.
Henri Colijn Senior Director Operations EMEA, HARMAN International -
We are very pleased to have found, in Arvato, a business partner who can deliver the solutions we need for our global logistics.
Dr. Andreas Sennheiser CEO Sennheiser
Reverse Logistics in Six Steps
We manage reverse logistics as an end-to-end, data-driven cycle, handling returns from customer initiation all the way to final disposition.
- Step 1 | Return Initiation: It takes 30 seconds, on average, for end customers to initiate returns through our online return center. The system handles online pre-evaluation of return reasons to ensure every returned item enters the process with the right routing data.
- Step 2 | Collection & Courier Tracking: Our multi-carrier network collects returns and generates real-time tracking milestones from pickup through inbound scan. Every movement is visible within our reverse logistics platform.
- Step 3 | Receiving & Grading: On arrival, products are physically inspected, assigned ABCD condition codes, and photographed. Serial numbers are tracked and immediately booked into our cloud-based IT system.
- Step 4 | Refurbish or Route: Based on grade and rules, products move to refurbishment, repackaging, vendor return, or certified disposal. Dedicated workcells handle category-specific requirements, including electronics testing, textile reconditioning, and medical device calibration.
- Step 5 | Credit Note & Restock: Inventory status updates trigger automated credit issuance, and restockable items return to available inventory.
- Step 6 | Recycling & End-of-Life Management: Non-recoverable items are routed to certified recycling and disposal partners. Re-commerce solutions and marketplace integrations support circular economy objectives and recover residual value where possible.
