# Void Labels

Under certain circumstances, you may need to void a label you have created. For example, a customer cancels a shipment or a label was created incorrectly. Another common reason to void a label is for unused [return labels](/return-labels) that are charged on creation -- you will need to void that label to get a refund for it.

You'll use the `label_id` to identify which label you would like to void. The void process is similar for any label but the refund process may differ depending on the carrier.

Labels Cannot Be Un-Voided!
Once a label is voided it cannot be *unvoided*. However, you can create a new label for that shipment if needed.

## Requirements

- You will need the `label_id` for the label you wish to void. You can get your `label_id` from the [create a shipping label](/create-labels) response, or [list labels](/list-labels) to find a `label_id` based on query parameters.
- The carrier must support voiding label. If you are unsure if your carrier supports this action, contact them directly to find out their label voiding policy.
- The label must be within the carrier's allowed void timeframe. If you are uncertain about your carrier's allowed timeframe, check their void and refund policies for specific deadline details.


## Sample Request & Response

**PUT /v2/labels/:label_id/void**


```http
PUT /v2/labels/se-421351/void HTTP/1.1
Host: api.shipstation.com
API-Key: __YOUR_API_KEY_HERE__
```

**Response**

The response body will include two items:

- A true/false boolean value to show if the void request was *approved*
- A message from the carrier (The message will vary depending on the carrier used to create the label.)



```json
{
 "approved": true,
 "message": "Request for refund submitted. This label has been voided."
}
```

## Refunds

For a voided label to qualify for a refund the label must be unused. This means that the label was not picked up or scanned by the carrier.

Any additional refund requirements and restrictions to the process of refunding a label will depend upon the policy of the carrier from whom the label was originally purchased.

### ShipStation Carriers

You must void the label within a certain number of days after generating the label:

- USPS = 28 days
- UPS and other carriers = 30 days


In most cases, the refund will be instantly refunded to your ShipStation account balance. However, in some cases the refund can take up to 28 days to apply to the balance.

### Stamps.com or Endicia USPS Label Refunds

To qualify for electronic reimbursement, the refund must be requested within a certain number of days after generating the label:

- Stamps.com = 28 days
- Endicia = 30 days


### Post-Billed Carrier Refunds

Post-billed carrier accounts, like UPS and FedEx, do not charge for shipping labels that are not used or scanned into the carrier's system. Therefore, no refunds need to be applied to your account.

Voiding labels for a post-billed carrier is not necessary if the labels are unscanned. However, you can still void labels for these carriers to help with your reporting if desired.

## Denied Requests

If your void request is denied, please refer to the `message` returned in the response. You can also contact support to figure out why you are unable to void a label.

Possible reasons a carrier may deny a void label request include:

- The label is too old to be voided.
- The label has been scanned in by the carrier already.
- The label has left the originating facility and is already en route to the destination.
- The label was created on a carrier connection that has since been removed. If you disconnect a carrier from your account (possibly as a troubleshooting step) and reconnect it, that carrier has a new `carrier_id` in your account. If you attempt to void a label created under the old `carrier_id`, the void attempt will fail since that `carrier_id` no longer exists.