Leopards Returned to Shipper (RTS): Causes & Prevention

What Does “Returned to Shipper” Mean?

In courier language, Returned to Shipper (RTS), also called Return to Origin (RTO), means Leopards has stopped trying to deliver to the receiver and is sending the parcel back to the sender or the shop’s warehouse.

If you were waiting for an order, an RTS status is frustrating. For sellers, a return costs money and delays their stock. This guide explains why Leopards returns parcels, how you might stop one before it leaves your city, and what to do next.

Why parcels come back

5 Common Reasons Parcels Are Returned

Leopards does not usually return a parcel straight away. It normally tries again first. A return usually happens for one of these reasons:

1. Consignee Repeatedly Unreachable

The most common reason is a phone that is off or not answered. Riders call the number on the label when they are near or need to get through a gate. If nobody answers after repeated tries, the branch may send the parcel back.

2. Incomplete address or no landmark

If the address has no house number, street or well-known landmark (such as “near the bank” or “opposite the mosque”), the rider cannot find it. If you also do not answer calls, the parcel is marked as not found.

3. The buyer refuses or cancels

If you tell the rider you no longer want the order, it is marked “Customer Refused” and sent back.

4. No cash for a COD parcel

For cash on delivery, the rider cannot leave the parcel without payment. If nobody has the cash ready when the rider comes, the delivery fails.

5. Parcel refused because it looks damaged

If the outside of the parcel is crushed or torn, the buyer can refuse it. The rider records this, and the parcel goes back to the seller.

Can You Stop a Return?

You may have a short chance to stop it if you act as soon as the status changes:

As soon as you see the return status:

At first, the parcel may still be at your local branch. Call the Leopards helpline on (021) 111-300-786 straight away and ask whether it can be held at the branch for you to collect.

Once it has left your city:

If the parcel is already on its way back to the seller’s city, Leopards cannot turn it around. It has to go back to the seller.

What to Do Next

If your parcel has been returned, follow these steps:

Step 1: Contact the shop or sender

Message the shop by WhatsApp, email or its order page. Give your order number and the Leopards CN number, and explain why the delivery was missed.

Step 2: Check your address and phone number

Give a second phone number and a clear landmark before the shop sends the parcel again.

Step 3: Ask for it to be sent again

When the parcel is back with the shop, it can book it again. You will get a new CN number.

For Sellers: How to Get Fewer Returns

For online sellers, returns eat into profit. These simple habits help cut them down:

Confirm orders before you ship

Before you print a label, send a WhatsApp message or make a quick call to confirm the order and the house number. This catches many fake or rushed orders.

Send a reminder on delivery day

When the status changes to “Out for Delivery”, remind the buyer to keep their phone on and have the exact COD cash ready.

RTS Questions

Do I have to pay if my order was returned?

For cash on delivery, you pay nothing if you did not get the parcel. If you paid in advance, ask the shop for a refund or to send it again once it is back.

Can a rider mark a parcel as returned without trying to deliver?

It should not happen, but it can. If you think a parcel was marked as returned without a visit or a call, make a complaint to Leopards on (021) 111-300-786.