International Merchandise Returns Service (IMRS)
The International Merchandise Returns Service (IMRS) is a tracked postage-paid international returns service designed to meet the demands of the high-growth area of e-commerce.
PRIME’s arrangements with a large number of Posts allows the e-Seller to fund the service making returns effectively free for the e-Buyer. This means e-Sellers in your country will be better placed to compete in an industry where free returns drive customer loyalty and increased sales.
The advantages of the IMRS service include:
- Using easily printable labels, the e-Buyer can very conveniently shop online without the risk of being left with unsuitable goods.
- For proof of return, e-Buyers will either receive a receipt generated at the Post’s counter where they lodge the items or get a stamp and/or signature on the receipt part of the label.
- The returned items are delivered to the e-Seller with electronic confirmation of delivery (scanning on delivery)
- Items can be tracked by phone or online through PRIME’s GCSS.
IMRS is an independent service, in that the e-retailer can mail the original goods using any method (tracked, not tracked, any speed), with the IMRS returns service separately offering a tracked pre-paid delivery for the customer’s returned goods.
IMRS is ideally suited as a reverse service for goods with low commercial value. It represents the solution in between the UPU and REIM’s IBRS (International Business Reply Service) untracked services, and the IPC’s ERS (Easy Return Solution), which is fully tracked with liability. For IMRS, no compensation is foreseen among Posts in case of loss or damage. Posts are, however, free to compensate their customers if they so decide.
Track and Trace
PRIME's exchange of transaction data, based on the barcode on each packet, creates a progress history about individual IMRS items that can be tracked by Posts' customer service staff. Additionally, this information may be uploaded to a Post’s own website, in their own language, creating a compelling end-user track & trace experience. This data is managed by PRIME’s GCSS.
IMRS Global Network
Currently 29 Posts have confirmed they will be an e-Buyer Post (where the shopper can return the items), and 14 Posts have confirmed to be only an e-Seller Post (where the vendor can receive a returned item).
To find out more about starting a pilot of IMRS in your country, please contact a member of the PRIME Team.
