PostEx “Return Process Initiated”: what it means
0040 Attempt failed Also printed as Return Process Intiated
PostEx 0040 Return Process Initiated means PostEx has marked the parcel to come back to you after failed attempts, but the return has not started moving. It is a plan, not a done deal. PostEx can still send the parcel out for another try, and sometimes does.
When that happens you see 0040, then 0004 Enroute for Delivery again. The return is only certain once 0037 Return to {city}, 0039 or 0032 appears. PostEx often spells this one Return Process Intiated; it is the same status.
Two mistakes are common. Writing the parcel off here gives up on a delivery PostEx may still make, so do not cancel the order yet. And pressing retry does nothing: PostEx does not accept a retry or return instruction at 0040. ShipOps shows it as Attempt failed with the last attempt's reason, so the useful move is a call to the customer.
What to do now
| Your move | Looks final, is not. PostEx sometimes sends these back out for another try. You cannot send a retry here, so call the customer instead. |
|---|---|
| The customer | A customer who still wants the order can say so now, and you can try to get it back on a rider's route. Once 0037 appears it needs a new booking. |
| Retry or return | PostEx takes a retry or return instruction only while the parcel is in its review window. ShipOps raises the parcel when that window opens and files the instruction from the order. |
| Attempts | PostEx tries 3 times before it starts a return. |
The reasons PostEx gives on a failed visit
| Refused to receive | RFDCustomer refused |
|---|---|
| Customer not available | CNACustomer not available |
| Incomplete address | ICAAddress problem |
| Hold on consignee request | HCRHeld |
| Wants to open parcel | OPN |
| Restricted area | RADAddress problem |
| Payment not available | PNA |
| Shipper cancel-out | SCOCourier-side |
How ShipOps reads it
Attempt failed A delivery failed, the courier still has it. The parcel goes into the Action Inbox with the courier's reason in plain words. The useful move is to reach the customer before the next attempt; ShipOps puts the call and WhatsApp buttons on the row and counts the attempts made so far.
ShipOps shows every courier's parcels in the same few plain states, so your team learns one set of words instead of one per courier. All PostEx statuses →
The same state on other couriers
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