--- title: Manage return flow slug: tutorials/cos-explorer/instant-payments/manage-return-flow description: Demonstrates returning and responding to returns in RTP flow. docTags: createdAt: 2025-07-23T14:20:00.718Z --- :::CtaButton{label="COS Explorer overview" docId="tmGNa7cLKpnBTh7gSkEFA" openInNewTab="true"} ::: ## What you will learn ✅ How to send and manage return flows in COS Explorer All of these return-related tasks can done via our APIs: - [Return request](docId\:ZuUrqOCnOKKDsnXK5yT_i) - [Return approval](docId\:TEvOmyHg1UyINPu8-w8c3) - [Return reject](docId\:kbyrIcZWjVXS-ZkeTpAPA) :::hint{type="info"} Learn about [Instant Payments](docId\:U_TnYPQ3-5yepG7jKD5FK). ::: ## Before you begin Make sure you have: - [COS Explorer access](docId\:JwSEUG3ELF_gXLhy6T9KI) ## Process overview This tutorial outlines how to perform key return-related tasks through the COS Explorer interface for Instant Payments. ## Request a return for a completed outbound Instant Payment Use this task to **request a return** for a payment Cross River has already sent to another bank and the recipient has received. Returns are only available for completed outbound instant payments and must be initiated within **60 calendar days** of the original payment. 1. Navigate to the **Payment Details** page of the outbound RTP payment. 2. Confirm that the payment **Type** is CreditTransfer and **Direction** is Outbound. 3. Ensure the **Status** is Completed. 4. In the **Payment Tasks** panel on the right, click **Request Refund**. 5. Enter a valid Reason Code (e.g., FRAD for fraud) and Additional Info (e.g., “Return Request”). 6. Click **Submit**. Once submitted, a return request will be initiated and tracked within the payment history. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/4hvUOg5mU1sCngl0n0Has/GcRSqr3seW_AhkqAKBipL_.blob) **Submitting an Indemnification with the Return Request** To submit an **indemnification** to be submitted along with the return request, open a support ticket with **IPR Ops** at: **IPROps.support\@crossriver.com** Include the following information in the support ticket: - **Receiving Bank:** \[Name of the receiver's bank] - **Receiver Routing Number:** \[Routing Number of the receiver's bank] - **Receiver Name:** \[Name of the recipient] - **Receiver Bank Account Number:** \[Bank account number of recipient] - **Sender Name:** \[Name of the sender] - **Sender Bank Account Number:** \[Bank account number of sender requesting the return] - **Payment ID:** \[Payment ID of the original credit transfer] - **Amount:** \[Amount of the original credit transfer] - **Date of Original Payment:** \[Date when the original credit transfer was processed/completed] Once received, IPR Ops will handle the indemnification process and coordinate further steps as needed. ## Return funds on an inbound Instant Payment Use this task to **return funds **from a completed inbound instant payment that was credited to a Cross River account. Once processed, the system will create an outbound credit transfer to send the funds back to the originating bank. 1. Navigate to the **Payment Details** page of the inbound Instant Payment. 2. Confirm the **Type** is CreditTransfer and **Direction** is Inbound. 3. Make sure the **Status** is Completed. 4. In the **Payment Tasks** panel, click **Return Payment**. 5. Follow the prompts to initiate the return. Once processed, the system will generate the **Outbound Credit Transfer** under the **Payment History**. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/4hvUOg5mU1sCngl0n0Has/WPZbPTk0dk_mDrsbcpH2u_.blob) ## Approve or Reject an inbound return request Use this task when another bank (the originating financial institution) **asks for funds to be sent back** after it was credited to an account at Cross River. This typically happens when the sender made an error (e.g., wrong account, duplicate payment). Take this action to review the request and send the funds back if approved. 1. Navigate to the **Payment Details** page of the return request. 2. Confirm the **Type** is ReturnRequest and **Direction** is Inbound. 3. Ensure the **Status** is Pending and **Awaiting Response** is set to Yes. 4. In the **Payment Tasks** panel, choose one of the following: - **Approve Payment**: Accept the return request and **issue funds back**. - **Reject Payment**: Deny the return request and **provide a rejection reason**. Once approved or rejected, the action is recorded in the payment history and a corresponding Instant Payment message is sent to the counterparty. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/4hvUOg5mU1sCngl0n0Has/RH8CCheuv1GNQ7p7Zhu_j_.blob) ### SLA for Inbound Return Request Response Inbound return requests must be approved or rejected within the following service level timelines, based on the payment rail: **FedNow:** - A response is required by the end of the next business day after the return request is received. **RTP:** - If the original credit transfer was a standard payment: Response is required **within 10 business days** of receiving the return request. - If the original credit transfer was initiated through a Request for Payment (RfP): Response is required **within 20 business days** of receiving the return request. Failure to respond within these SLAs will result in automatic rejection of the inbound return request. ### Important Note on Fraud-Related Return Requests Any **incoming return request** with a **Reason Code of FRAD (Fraud)** will be **reviewed by Cross River** and **cannot be actioned directly by the partner**. Cross River will evaluate the request and determine next steps internally.