Testing Return Material Authorization (RMA) in NetSuite involves simulating the complete returns process within a sandbox or test environment to ensure workflows, transactions, and accounting impacts are functioning correctly before going live. To begin, verify that you have access to a NetSuite sandbox or test account with roles and permissions to handle returns, item receipts, and credit memos. You should also have at least one processed sales order or invoice to test against and confirm that the Enable Returns Authorization preference is activated under Setup > Accounting > Accounting Preferences > Order Management.
Start by creating a test sales order for a customer, adding items, approving, fulfilling, and billing the order to generate the transaction history needed for the return. Next, create a return authorization by navigating to Transactions > Customers > Issue Return Authorizations > New, selecting the customer, and linking it to the original sales order or invoice. Add the relevant items, set quantities and reasons for return, and save the authorization. If approvals are enabled, approve the return authorization through Transactions > Customers > Approve Return Authorizations to progress the process.
Once approved, receive the returned items by selecting Receive Return Authorizations, confirming the details, and submitting the item receipt. After the items are received, issue a refund or create a credit memo directly from the RMA, depending on whether the customer is being reimbursed or credited for future purchases. Review the resulting accounting entries to verify that inventory adjustments, accounts receivable, and general ledger impacts are accurate.
It is important to test edge cases such as partial returns, damaged or non-inventory items, restocking fees, and serialized or lot-tracked items. Additionally, confirm that reports like Return Authorizations Register and Inventory Valuation reflect accurate data for returned goods and stock adjustments. This process helps validate that your NetSuite RMA workflows are robust, accurate, and ready for production.