Shopify’s latest Merchant Changelog introduces two brand‑new Liquid variables that let you surface the exact timestamp a customer submitted a return or cancellation request. While the default “Request received” email template remains unchanged, adding these variables gives merchants a simple way to provide more transparency and improve post‑purchase communication. In this post we’ll break down what’s new, who should care, and step‑by‑step instructions to get the timestamps live in your store’s notifications.
What’s New: Two New Liquid Variables
Shopify added: • return.requested_at – the date‑time when a customer created a return request.
• requested_edit.requested_at – the date‑time when a customer submitted a cancellation (edit) request for an order.
Both variables return a raw timestamp (in UTC) that reflects the moment the request was made, not the moment the email is sent. This means the value stays consistent even if you resend the notification later.
Who Needs This: Merchants vs. Developers
Merchants: If you want customers to see exactly when they initiated a return or cancellation, you can edit the notification template directly in the Shopify admin. No code deployment or app changes are required.
Developers: The addition is purely a template‑level change, but you may need to update any custom apps or scripts that generate or override notification templates. Knowing the variable names helps you keep your theme or app documentation up to date.
How to Implement the Variables
{{ return.requested_at | date: "%B %-d, %Y %H:%M %Z" }}
If you’re editing the cancellation version of the email, use the second variable:
{{ requested_edit.requested_at | date: "%B %-d, %Y %H:%M %Z" }}
Formatting Dates with Liquid Filters
Shopify’s built‑in date filter lets you control how the timestamp appears. Common patterns include:
• Full month name, day, year and 24‑hour time: {{ ... | date: "%B %-d, %Y %H:%M %Z" }}
• Short numeric format: {{ ... | date: "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M" }}
• Locale‑aware format (if you want to respect the store’s locale): {{ ... | date: "short" }}
Experiment with the filter in the preview pane until the output matches your brand’s tone and style.
Testing and Deploying Changes
After saving, send a test request from your storefront (or use the “Create a return” feature in the admin) to trigger the email. Verify three things:
If the email looks good, publish the change. Because the variable value is stored with the request, any future resends (e.g., if a customer asks you to resend the receipt) will display the same original timestamp—no extra maintenance needed.
Key Takeaways
• New variables: return.requested_at and requested_edit.requested_at.
• Available only in the “Request received” customer notification.
• Add them via Settings → Notifications → Edit code.
• Use Liquid’s date filter to format the output.
• No codebase changes required, but developers should document the new variables for any custom email‑generation tools.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Displaying the exact request submission time can reduce support tickets, improve order‑return transparency, and give shoppers confidence that their request was recorded promptly. Update your “Request received” email today, test it across devices, and let your customers see the precise moment their return or cancellation was logged.
If you need help customizing other Shopify notifications or want to automate testing for email changes, feel free to reach out to our Shopify consulting team or drop a comment below. Happy customizing!
