How To Create and Process Return Sales Order in Odoo 18?

A Return Sales Order (or Credit Note / Reverse Delivery) handles scenarios where a customer returns delivered products due to defects, order cancellations, or incorrect shipments. Odoo automates the reverse workflow across Sales, Inventory, and Accounting to ensure stock levels and financial balances are accurately adjusted.

Key Steps for Processing a Return Sales Order

1. Locate the Original Sales Order / Delivery

• Go to the Sales module and open the confirmed Sales Order (SO).
• Click on the Delivery smart button to open the associated transfer document.

2. Initiate the Stock Return

• Inside the validated delivery order, click the Return button.
• A pop-up window lists the delivered product lines and quantities.
• Adjust Quantities: Enter the specific quantity of items being returned.
• Select Return Location: Choose the target warehouse location (e.g., standard stock or scrap/quality inspection location).
• Click Return to generate a reverse stock transfer.

3. Validate Stock Receipt

• Validate the incoming return transfer to update on-hand inventory levels automatically.

4. Issue Credit Note (Financial Adjustment)

• Return to the original Customer Invoice or Sales Order.
• Click Credit Note (or Reverse Invoice).
• Specify the reason for return and select the refund method (Draft Credit Note, Cancel & Draft, or Modify).
• Confirm and post the Credit Note to balance customer accounts and register the refund.