Item return architecture and processing

An item return for an item is identified and a workflow is determined based on first factors defined in customized rules. Resources associated with the workflow may be staged on devices associated with the item return and the workflow is initiated. When the item is detected as being present at a drop-off location for the item, item and customer information are gathered in accordance with the customized rules associated with the workflow. Security checks are processed using second factors defined in the customized rules. A decision is made based on the security checks as to whether the item return can continue processing with the workflow or as to whether an item return exception is to be raised for evaluation and/or inspection of the item and item return information collected before the item return exception was raised.