> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.arcuserp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Receiving Customer Returns into Inventory
> Receive authorized RMAs, inspect returned goods, and route them to restock, write-off, vendor return, or quarantine.
Customer return receiving starts when an authorized RMA package arrives at the dock. Use **Warehouse > Receiving > Receive Return** to find authorized RMAs, then use the return detail page or **Warehouse > Returns** to finish inspection and disposition.
## Return Receiving Queues
There are two warehouse surfaces for customer returns:
* **Warehouse > Receiving > Receive Return**: shows authorized RMAs awaiting receipt.
* **Warehouse > Returns**: shows received or inspecting RMAs that are in holding and still need inspection or disposition.
The Returns queue displays days in holding and highlights older items. Use it to keep returned goods from sitting outside a controlled disposition process.
## Receive a Return
1. Go to **Warehouse > Receiving**.
2. Select **Receive Return**.
3. Search by RMA number or customer.
4. Click **Receive** to open the return detail.
5. Click **Receive Return Items**.
6. Confirm the quantity received for each line.
7. Click **Confirm Receipt**.
After receipt, Arcus marks the RMA as received and records returned inventory into the receiving or holding location. If no receiving location is supplied by the caller, Arcus falls back to the entity holding location when one is available.
## Receive and Dispose in One Flow
When the dock user can inspect the package immediately, use the return detail flow to receive and disposition in the same work session.
For each returned item:
* Confirm product and quantity.
* Enter or validate returned serial numbers when the item is serialized.
* Set the condition, such as good, damaged, or defective.
* Choose the disposition.
* Select the final location when restocking, writing off, or routing to another controlled location.
If disposition fails after receipt, the items remain received so staff can retry disposition without re-receiving the package.
## Disposition Options
**Restock**
Use for sellable items. Arcus moves the item from the receiving or holding location to the final saleable location and reverses COGS at the return cost basis.
**Write Off or Destroyed**
Use when the item should not return to sellable stock. Arcus removes the item from inventory and posts the inventory shrink path. When a write-off location exists, Arcus can preserve the physical trail through the write-off location.
**Send to Vendor**
Use when the supplier should receive the goods back for warranty, defect, or credit handling. Arcus removes the returned item from inventory and records the vendor return receivable path.
**Quarantine**
Use when the returned item needs a hold before the final decision. Arcus records a quarantine movement against the receiving location so the stock remains controlled and unsellable until staff decides what to do next.
## Damaged or Defective Returns
Do not restock damaged, defective, incomplete, opened, customer-modified, or questionable returned goods just to clear the queue.
If a damaged or defective item is restocked, Arcus requires an explicit force-restock override and reason. Use this only when a supervisor has confirmed that the unit is safe to sell.
Common damaged-return outcomes:
* **Quarantine** when inspection is incomplete or ownership is uncertain.
* **Write Off** or **Destroyed** when the item has no recoverable value.
* **Send to Vendor** when the vendor should provide credit, replacement, or warranty review.
* **Restock with override** only when the item is damaged or defective in record status but still approved for resale.
## Location and Serial Controls
Customer return receipt uses the receiving or holding location on the return item. Disposition then moves the item to the final location selected by the operator.
For serialized products, Arcus can validate returned serials against the original shipped serials depending on return settings. In hard validation mode, mismatched, already returned, or non-sold serials are blocked.
## Common Blocks
**No authorized returns appear**: confirm the RMA is authorized. Draft, cancelled, closed, received, and inspecting returns are not in the Receive Return queue.
**All items have been received**: the RMA has no remaining authorized quantity to receive. Use the Returns queue or return detail to inspect or disposition it.
**No items pending inspection**: the Warehouse Returns queue is clear, or the RMA is still authorized and needs receipt first.
**Returned serial is rejected**: confirm the serial was actually shipped on the original order and has not already been returned.
**Damaged item cannot be restocked**: change the disposition or provide the required force-restock reason if a supervisor approved resale.
**Item should go back to the supplier**: choose **Send to Vendor**, then continue in the vendor return workflow.
## Accounting Impact
Receipt restores returned inventory quantity into the receiving or holding location when the product tracks inventory. Disposition determines the final accounting path:
* Restock reverses COGS and returns inventory to saleable stock.
* Write-off or destroyed records shrink and relieves inventory.
* Vendor return records the vendor return receivable path and relieves inventory.
* Quarantine keeps the item controlled without treating it as normal saleable stock.
Refunds, credits, exchanges, and replacement orders are managed from the return settlement workflow, not from the warehouse queue alone.
## Related Articles
Full RMA workflow from order detail through receipt, disposition, and settlement.
Create and manage customer RMAs.
Use the Warehouse Receiving tab for PO, return, and manual receipts.
Move received and held inventory into the correct storage or controlled location.
Send returned or defective stock back to suppliers.
Configure bin locations used by storage, receiving, staging, and shipping.