ABF Freight System, Inc. - Returns Center Info Page

The Returns Center can be used to request and manage return shipments for recently delivered ABF shipments or non-ABF shipments.

The following information provides a step-by-step guide on how to use this feature as well as a list of common questions.

Step by Step Guide



		To access this feature, you must be logged on to the site. You may request a password or logon now. Active Return Requests Use the "Active Return Requests" section of the main Returns Center page to help manage your returns online. This section lists all of your active returns, the status of those returns, and quick links for more information. If you would like to view a summary of a return request, click the Return Authorization number. If you would like to get a shipping quote for a return request, click the "Quote" link. To schedule a pickup request for a return request, click the "Pickup" link. To create a bill of lading for a return request, click the "BOL" link. If you would like to set, change or remove an expiration date for a return request, click the "Expire" link. To create labels for the return request, click the "Labels" link. If you would like to find out the shipment status for a return request that has been scheduled for pickup or has already been picked up, click the “Track" link. Requesting a Return Follow these instructions to submit a return request online. To fill out a return request for a recent ABF shipment, choose the "An ABF shipment that was delivered within the past 45 days" option. To fill out a return request for an older ABF shipment or a shipment that was not originally delivered by ABF, choose the "An ABF shipment prior to 45 days or a non-ABF shipment" option. You will be taken to the return request page to fill out the shipping information for your return request. Click "Begin Return Process" to view the shipping information for the reference numbers entered or for each shipment for the selected shipping contact (option 1) or to take you to the return request page (option 2). The following (4-10) only applies if you choose option (1.)... If you know the shipment reference number(s) that should be included in the returns request, choose the "By Reference Number(s)" option. Enter up to three reference numbers you would like to use to pull shipment information. Select the reference type for each reference number you entered. If you know a particular party on the original shipment, but not an exact reference number, choose the "By Party on the original shipment" option. If you were the shipper on the original shipment and want to select from a list of consignees, click the "select from a list of Consignees" link. You will be able to choose a shipping contact from a list of your consignees and all recent shipments where you shipped to this contact will be returned. If you were the consignee on the original shipment and want to select from a list of shippers, click on the "select from a list of Shippers" link. You will be able to choose a shipping contact from a list of your shippers and all recent shipments where you received a shipment from this contact will be returned. If you were the third party on the original shipment and want to select from a list of other parties on the bill, click on the "select from a list of Shippers and Consignees" link. We will give you a list of shippers and consignees to choose from and will return a list of recent shipments where you were the third party and the contact you selected was either the shipper or the consignee. The following section only applies to option (1.)... Selecting Return Information When you enter a reference number or select a return based on a previous shipping party (shipper, consignee, or third party), you have the option to auto-fill some or all of the current return's shipment information from previous shipments. Select the return shipper from a list of original consignees for the reference numbers you entered or from the shipping party you selected. You may also choose to fill in the information yourself. If you would like to select the return shipper from a list of your locations or contacts, click the "Select from my locations" or "Select from my contacts" links. Select the return consignee from a list of original shippers for the reference numbers you entered or from the shipping party you selected. You may also choose to fill in the information yourself. If you would like to select the return consignee from a list of your locations or contacts, click the "Select from my locations" or "Select from my contacts" links. Select the return third party from a list of original third parties for the reference numbers you entered or from the shipping party you selected. You may also choose to fill in the information yourself. This list will not exist if there were no third parties on the original shipments. If you wish to have a third party on your return shipment, you may enter this information on the return request page. If you would like to select the return third party from a list of your locations or contacts, click the "Select from my locations" or "Select from my contacts" links. Check the commodities under the shipments you wish to return. You will be able to modify these commodities later in the return process. Click "Check All" to select all commodities for a particular reference number. Click "Continue Return Request" to pass the selected shipment information to the return request page to continue processing your return request. Click "Cancel" to return to your list of active return requests. Time-Saving Tips with Templates & Previous Returns To access previous return requests, simply click "Show". For a full-page view of past returns, click “Full Page View”. To hide past returns, click "Hide". To use a previous return request as a template for a new request, click the “Template” link next to the previous return request you want to use as a starting point. Templates allow you to save full or partial returns. Templates are never removed from your list; however, you may update or delete a saved template. To create a template, fill out your form. Remember, the form does not have to be complete. Next, enter a template name and click the "Save" button. You may "Show" and "Hide" templates as well. To select a template, simply select from the drop-down list "(OR select from your saved templates)" and click the "Retrieve" button to the right of the list. To update a template, select the template and click the "Retrieve" button. After making your changes, select the name of the template to update and click the "Update" button. To delete a template, select the template and click the "Delete" button. You may also use the current template as the default by clicking the “Use as Default” link. Setting this option automatically fills out the Return Request page with the selected template each time you enter this page. Completing a Return Request Shipment Affiliation & Location Information Select your affiliation with the shipment. If you are the party shipping the freight, select "Shipper". If you are the party receiving the freight, select "Consignee". If you are a third party, select "Third Party". You may select any combination of the three selections. This is required to receive your specific pricing. Your options will change depending on the option(s) selected. Note, when shipper is selected, the links to the right of the information are "Change My Information", "View My Locations", and "Clear". Options for consignee and third party are "Lookup My Contact", "View All Contacts", and "Clear". Select whether the shipment will be "Prepaid" or "Collect". If you are not the shipper, consignee, or third party, then enter your contact information including name, e-mail address, and phone number. If you have used this option before, your information will be saved and filled in automatically. To change your information, simply click "Change My Information". If you are the shipper, your contact and location information may be filled in for you. This option is set by selecting "Auto-Fill My Information". If this option is set, you may change your information by clicking on "Change My Information". If you ship from multiple locations, you may click on "View My Locations" and choose the correct location. You will be able to choose from the list of locations that you have provided to ABF. Note: if you need to add a location, please contact your local ABF sales representative. You may do the same if you are the consignee and third party. You may also provide location information by entering the company name, address, city, state, zip, and country for the shipper, consignee, and third party. Remember, only the fields in red are required. Note: for city information, the city and state OR the zip may be entered - verification assistance will be given if needed. In the sections that you have not chosen affiliation, you have the option to "View All Contacts". This will give you a listing of all contacts that you have entered into My Contacts. Also, you may enter the first few letters of the contact’s name and click "Lookup My Contact" and the remaining information for that contact will be filled in for you. Note: you may also choose to have all parties that you ship with to be automatically loaded into your My Contacts database. Commodities Enter the number and type of handling units for the shipment. For example, if you are shipping 2 pallets with a total of 50 cartons you will enter 2 PLT, 50 CTN. You may also enter the weight in pounds of the shipment, select a class, enter the item and sub of the National Motor Freight Classification number, or enter a description of the freight you are shipping. Be sure to check "Haz" if your shipment is hazardous. If you are unsure of what to enter as a description, you may get help by using the "Lookup Item" function. Click "+" to enter additional commodity lines. If you have more than one commodity line, you can click "Remove Item" to remove that particular commodity line. Return E-mail Options Enter the return authorization number for this return request. Set an expiration date for your return request by clicking the "Set Expiration Date" link. You may add any additional comments to be included in the return authorization e-mail. Check "Include Requester Contact Information" to include Requester contact information in the return authorization e-mail. Check "Include Return Instructions" to include return instructions in the return authorization e-mail. Select which parties on the bill you would like to send the return authorization e-mail to. If a party is selected, the e-mail address for the selected party will need to be provided in the corresponding location section. You may send the return authorization e-mail to up to three additional recipients. To preview the return authorization e-mail, click the "Preview E-Mail Message" link. Click "Submit Return" to submit the return request. Click "Get A Quote" to get a quote for this return. Click "Cancel" to return to your list of active return requests.

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Common Questions



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