Understanding native Shopify gift cards for returns credit (Returns V2)

This article explains how Swap issues Shopify gift cards for returns credit using Shopify's native Gift Card API, and how this differs from the previous duplicate-order method.

When a customer's return is resolved as a gift card, Swap can issue that gift card using Shopify's native Gift Card API, adding it directly to the customer's Shopify account rather than creating a separate order.

Previously, resolving a return as a gift card created a new order in Shopify, prefixed SGC-{original order number}, for the gift card's value. This order needed to be fulfilled — either manually or through an auto-fulfilment setting — before the customer received their gift card.

With native gift cards, no second order is created. Swap issues the gift card directly through Shopify's Gift Card API, tags the original order to record that a gift card was issued, and sends the customer their gift card email automatically, exactly as before.

In your Swap dashboard, go to Returns → Settings → Discounts & Credit, then toggle Use Shopify native gift cards on in the Gift cards panel.

If you don't see this option, contact Swap support — native gift cards are rolling out on a per-store basis.

Note: if your store uses Rise.ai for store credit, Rise takes priority — native Shopify gift cards only apply when Rise isn't integrated.

Native gift cards are issued in the customer's checkout currency where possible. If that isn't available, Swap issues the gift card in your store's base currency instead.

Because no second order is created, native gift cards simplify reconciliation — there's no separate SGC- order to cross-reference against the original order when reviewing your Shopify reports.

This also means automatic gift card fulfilment settings don't apply to native gift cards, since there's no order to fulfil.

The RMA conversion workflow is the same regardless of which gift card method your store uses. See How to convert a refund to a gift card or store credit for the full steps.