Understanding partial Quality Control processing (Returns V2)

Partial QC processing handles returns where only some expected items are received by the warehouse.

When a return arrives at your warehouse, Swap waits for QC updates from your WMS or 3PL for each item in the RMA. Once the timeout period expires, if:

...Swap marks the RMA with a QC status of Partial.

If any item explicitly fails QC, the RMA moves to Needs Review as a QC failure — the Partial logic does not apply.

Partial is not a failure. It means the warehouse received and approved some items but did not report on others within the timeout window. Failed means at least one item was explicitly rejected during inspection.

The Allow partial RMA processing toggle in your store settings determines how Swap handles a Partial RMA.

The RMA moves to Needs Review. No refunds or exchanges are issued automatically, and the return requires manual review.

Swap auto-processes only the items that received a Passed QC update — provided none of the missing items belong to a bundle or product set.

Bundle exception: If any missing item is part of a bundle or product set, the RMA moves to Needs Review regardless of the toggle setting. Partial bundles typically indicate fraud or a shipping error, and require manual review.

Note: If an item with an outstanding update subsequently receives a Failed status during the wait period, the RMA moves immediately to Needs Review as a QC failure — the Partial status is voided.