How much does it cost to return a company laptop?

It depends on what you count. Beyond the shipping label, a return can involve packaging, outbound and return shipping, IT time, employee communication, follow-ups and tracking. ShiplyTech's standard US laptop return is $95 per return.

How much does ShiplyTech charge for a laptop return?

$95 per US laptop return. No subscription and no setup fee.

Is shipping included in the $95 ShiplyTech price?

Yes. It includes prepaid shipping for the return kit and prepaid return shipping for the laptop.

Is packaging included?

Yes. Padded return packaging, a printed instruction sheet and tape are included.

How much does a Canada laptop return cost?

$145. International service is laptops only.

How much does a UK laptop return cost?

$250. International service is laptops only.

Is it cheaper to handle laptop returns internally?

Sometimes. With very few returns, packaging on hand and someone who already owns the process, doing it yourself can be reasonable. Compare the full process, including IT time and follow-ups, not just the label.

What costs should IT include when comparing a DIY return?

Packaging, outbound and return shipping, IT time to set up and track the return, employee communication, follow-ups, exception handling and recordkeeping.

How much is the 5-slot laptop box?

$234. It holds up to five laptops returned together from the same location.

What happens if the employee never returns the laptop?

ShiplyTech runs the return process but cannot force someone to hand over a laptop. There is no refund if the device never returns. See the guide on what to do when a laptop is not returned.

What Does a Laptop Return Cost?

What makes up the cost of a laptop return?

Packaging

Appropriate laptop return materials.

Outbound shipping

Getting the return kit to the employee.

Return shipping

Getting the laptop back to the company.

IT time

Setting up the return, checking details and tracking progress.

Employee communication

Instructions and questions.

Follow-ups

Chasing a return that has not started.

Exceptions

Address problems, stalled returns and other issues.

Tracking and records

Knowing whether the laptop is outstanding, in transit or delivered.

Want the managed option? See ShiplyTech pricing →

The label is the easy part.

The work is everything around it. A return label on its own does not:

confirm the employee's current address
provide appropriate packaging
explain what the employee should do
remind them if nothing happens
tell IT which returns are still outstanding
keep the operational record in one place

That is a question of process scope, not of what carriers do.

What a DIY laptop return actually consumes.

01Confirm employee details
02Confirm device details
03Find or order packaging
04Create outbound shipment
05Create return shipment
06Send instructions
07Answer questions
08Check tracking
09Send reminders
10Handle exceptions
11Confirm delivery
12Update the internal record

Each task may only take a few minutes. The cost comes from repeating them across every return.

IT time is part of the return cost.

If an IT employee spends time coordinating the return, that labor has a cost even if the shipping label looks inexpensive.

IT coordination cost = time spent per return × loaded hourly cost

Example — using your own assumptionsExample

If an organization estimates 45 minutes of IT coordination and a $60/hour loaded labor cost:

0.75 × $60 = $45

internal coordination cost, before packaging and shipping. These are illustrative inputs, not ShiplyTech research. Use your own.

Run your numbers →

ShiplyTech's standard US laptop return is $95.

$95

per US laptop return · No subscription · No setup fee

✓ Padded return packaging
✓ Printed instruction sheet
✓ Tape
✓ Emailed return instructions
✓ Personal return link
✓ Prepaid shipping for the return kit and prepaid return shipping for the laptop
✓ Employee follow-ups
✓ Tracking

Canada is $145 and the United Kingdom is $250, laptops only internationally. See coverage.

You're not paying $95 for a shipping label.

You are paying for the managed return process around the shipment.

Packaging: The employee gets the return materials.
Instructions: They know what to do.
Shipping: The return has a prepaid path.
Follow-up: Someone is watching whether the return starts.
Visibility: IT can see whether the laptop is outstanding, moving or delivered.

See how it works or laptop returns.

DIY vs. managed return

TaskDIYWith ShiplyTech

Return detailsDIY: IT collects and checksShiplyTech: Your team enters them; ShiplyTech verifies the address with the carrier

PackagingDIY: IT sources and sendsShiplyTech: ShiplyTech

Shipping setupDIY: IT buys both labelsShiplyTech: ShiplyTech

Employee instructionsDIY: IT writes and sendsShiplyTech: ShiplyTech

Follow-upsDIY: ITShiplyTech: ShiplyTech

TrackingDIY: IT checks carrier sitesShiplyTech: ShiplyTech, visible to your team

Device-management actionsDIY: ITShiplyTech: IT

Inspection after office deliveryDIY: ITShiplyTech: IT

ShiplyTech does not access or change your device-management or security systems. That stays with your team; see employee offboarding.

Sometimes doing it yourself is reasonable.

If a company has very few returns, someone who already owns the process, packaging readily available, little follow-up work and a simple tracking workflow, a DIY process may be completely workable. ShiplyTech is not automatically the right answer for everyone.

The equation changes when returns repeat.

Multiple departures each month
Remote employees across locations
Returns repeatedly need follow-up
IT is manually checking carrier sites
Equipment status lives in spreadsheets
Different people own different pieces
Packaging has to be sourced again and again
Skilled IT time goes to low-complexity coordination

The expensive outcome is sometimes the laptop that never moves.

An outstanding laptop can mean hardware value tied up, a replacement to buy, more IT time, security and offboarding attention, and administrative escalation.

We can run the return process. We can't force someone to hand over the laptop.

Read what to do when an employee doesn't return a company laptop.

Returns are easier to manage before they become exceptions.

Clear ownership, packaging, instructions and tracking reduce unnecessary coordination. See how to get a company laptop back from a remote employee.

Other return options have different prices.

Monitor: $195
24-inch iMac: $215
5-slot laptop box: $234
Peripherals: $25 with another box in the order, $30 on its own

Current US prices. See all device-return pricing or other devices.

Cost comparison examples

One laptop

$95

DIY depends on your actual packaging, shipping and labor costs.

Laptop + peripherals

$120

$95 laptop + $25 peripherals box in one order.

Five laptops, one location

$234

One 5-slot laptop box.

ShiplyTech prices, US.

What should you compare?

Direct shipping cost
Packaging cost
Internal IT time
Follow-up burden
Exception handling
Visibility and recordkeeping
How often returns happen

Compare the full process, not just the carrier label.

Frequently asked questions

Know what the return costs before IT spends the time.

See the price, run your numbers and decide whether you want ShiplyTech to handle the return.

Calculate your cost Start a laptop return

What does it cost to get a company laptop back from a remote employee?