> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.upstackdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Returning Customer Fulfillment Cost: Repeat Buyer Fulfillment

> Track total fulfillment costs for returning customer orders. Includes shipping, handling, and other fulfillment fees for repeat buyers.

<Tip>
  Returning Customer Fulfillment Cost measures the total shipping, handling, and fulfillment costs for repeat buyer orders.
</Tip>

## Formula

<Info>
  **RC Fulfillment Cost** = **RC Shipping Cost** + **RC Handling Cost** + **RC Other Fulfillment**
</Info>

### Formula Components

| Metric                                                                                                      | Definition                                     |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| [**RC Shipping Cost**](/reference/metrics/orders/fulfillment/returning-customer-shipping-cost)              | Shipping costs for repeat buyer orders         |
| [**RC Handling Cost**](/reference/metrics/orders/fulfillment/returning-customer-handling-cost)              | Handling costs for repeat buyer orders         |
| [**RC Other Fulfillment**](/reference/metrics/orders/fulfillment/returning-customer-other-fulfillment-cost) | Additional fulfillment costs for repeat buyers |
| [**customer\_type = returning\_customer**](/data-dictionary/measures-and-dimensions#visitor-dimensions)     | Filters to repeat buyer orders                 |

| Metadata        |                                                                      |
| --------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Type**        | Currency                                                             |
| **Data Source** | [Shopify](/sources/shopify), [Upstack Costs](/sources/upstack-costs) |
| **Aggregation** | Sum                                                                  |

***

## Example

Your Shopify store incurred \$13,500 in fulfillment costs for 900 returning customer orders.

| Cost Category            | Value        |
| ------------------------ | ------------ |
| RC Shipping Cost         | \$9,000      |
| RC Handling Cost         | \$3,600      |
| RC Other Fulfillment     | \$900        |
| **RC Total Fulfillment** | **\$13,500** |

***

## How It Works

Returning Customer Fulfillment Cost combines all costs associated with getting products to repeat buyers. This includes carrier shipping fees, warehouse handling costs, packaging materials, and other fulfillment-related expenses. These costs are deducted from CM1 to calculate CM2.

***

## When to Use

| Scenario                          | Action                                                |
| --------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| Comparing NC vs RC fulfillment    | Track if repeat buyers have lower fulfillment costs   |
| Evaluating loyalty shipping perks | Monitor impact of RC-specific shipping offers         |
| Optimizing fulfillment efficiency | Identify opportunities to reduce RC fulfillment costs |
| Setting free shipping thresholds  | Protect RC CM2 margins                                |

***

## Related Metrics

| Metric                                                                                                             | Relationship                            |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------- |
| [New Customer Fulfillment Cost](/reference/metrics/orders/fulfillment/new-customer-fulfillment-cost)               | Fulfillment costs for first-time buyers |
| [Total Fulfillment Cost](/reference/metrics/orders/fulfillment/total-fulfillment-cost)                             | All fulfillment costs                   |
| [Returning Customer CM2 Per Order](/reference/metrics/orders/contribution-margin/returning-customer-cm2-per-order) | Margin after RC fulfillment             |

[See all Fulfillment metrics →](/reference/metrics/orders/fulfillment)