What does “Returned to sender” mean?
The parcel is on its way back to the sender.
What it means
The courier is sending the parcel back to the sender. This usually follows several failed delivery attempts, the recipient refusing it, or a parcel not collected from a branch in time.
The sender or shop can also request a return themselves, for example after an order is cancelled while the parcel is already out.
Real courier wording
Actual status messages from couriers that ETrackings classifies as this status. Thai couriers often report in Thai.
ตีกลับพัสดุ
ส่งคืนต้นทาง
อยู่ระหว่างการส่งคืนพัสดุ
พัสดุถูกปฏิเสธการรับ
ผู้ส่งได้รับพัสดุคืนเรียบร้อยแล้ว
Your parcel is being returned to seller
Returned to sender
How long it usually takes
The return trip takes about as long as the outbound one. Once it's back, the status says something like “ผู้ส่งได้รับพัสดุคืนเรียบร้อยแล้ว” (sender has received the parcel back).
What to do next
- Contact the seller or sender to ask for a resend or a refund — once a return has started, recipients usually can't stop it themselves.
- If the return has only just started, call the courier right away (numbers below) — sometimes it can still be cancelled.
- If you bought on a platform, check the order status in its app. Refunds are often automatic once the parcel reaches the seller.
Courier contact numbers
The courier can sort this out fastest. Have your tracking number ready before you call.
Frequently asked questions
Will I get my money back?
That depends on the seller and platform. On Shopee or Lazada, refunds usually happen once the parcel is back with the seller. If you bought directly from a shop, contact them.
Why was it returned when nobody contacted me?
The driver may not have been able to reach you, or the address may have been incomplete. Check the tracking history for earlier failed-delivery entries — they usually show the reason.
Can a return be stopped?
Sometimes, if you contact the courier quickly before the parcel leaves the delivery branch. After that, the sender has to send it again.
For developers
The ETrackings API reports this stage as ON_RETURNED_TO_SENDER