Etiquette for returning stolen goods fences start to consider (8)
I believe the answer is:
protocol
'etiquette' is the definition.
(protocol is a kind of etiquette)
'for returning stolen goods fences start to consider' is the wordplay.
'for' becomes 'pro' (as in being 'pro' or in favour of something).
'returning' is a reversal indicator.
'stolen goods' becomes 'loot' (items which have been looted).
'fences' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are fenced off).
'start to' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'consider' is 'c'.
'loot' going around 'c' is 'locot'.
'locot' in reverse letter order is 'tocol'.
'pro'+'tocol'='PROTOCOL'
(Other definitions for protocol that I've seen before include "Correct procedure" , "Formalities" , "Approved procedure" , "Good form" , "Code of conduct, etiquette" .)