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How to set up shipping rates

Last Updated: Oct 22, 2012 02:20PM EDT

How to set up shipping rates (Shopify Classic Admin)

For great tips on deciding which shipping rate strategy is right for your store, check out our blog.

In this guide, you’ll find out how to set up:

  1. Price-based rates
  2. Weight-based rates
  3. Carrier-calculated shipping rates
  4. Ground/Priority/Overnight shipping options

To begin setting up your store’s shipping rates, go to the PREFERENCES tab in your admin panel, and select “Shipping.”
There are 3 ways Shopify can calculate shipping costs during checkout: 1. based on the price of the order, 2. based on the weight of the order, 3. based on carrier-specific rates. 

1. Price based rates

For price-based shipping, Shopify calculates the total cost of the order and, based on that amount, applies a shipping rate according to rules you have set.

To set your price-based rate rules, select “Add price-based rate” and enter a name for your rule.

For example, you can set a rule that any order from $50 to $99 should be charged $18 for shipping, and name this “Medium Order.”

Shipping_-_Price_Based.jpg

Price based rates are the quickest to set up, as you don't need to enter the weight of each item. However, it can be less accurate than other methods, so be careful when you set your rules.

Note:all shipping rates are calculated based on pre-discounted totals. If a customer uses a discount code, shipping for the order will be calculated based on the original price of the product. 

2. Weight based rates

Weight based rates work the same way as price-based rates, except they are calculated based on the total weight of the order.

For example, you can set a rule that any order that weighs between 2.0lbs and 3.0lbs should be charged an additional $10 for shipping.

Shipping_-_Weight.jpg

 

For the weight based rates, you will need to make sure that every product has a weight associated to it.

To do this, edit each Product Variant on your product page (located at the bottom of the page under "Inventory").

Product_-_Weight.jpg

3. Carrier calculated shipping rates

This method is simple and the most accurate of the 3. You can let UPS, USPS, Canada Post and FedEx calculate the exact shipping cost of orders for you and your customers – in real time. This will minimize your shipping charges without affecting your margins.

To set up carrier-calculated shipping, click “Enable carrier calculated shipping rates” on your Shipping Preferences page. 

Shipping_-_Carrier_Enable.jpg


You will then have to enter your address and/or account credentials for each carrier you wish to use, and “Save” the new info.

Shipping_-_Carrier_Activating.jpg

Now when your customers go through checkout, your carrier will instantly calculate their shipping costs.

The setup steps for each carrier can vary. Check out specific instructions for your preferred carrier here: UPS, USPS and FedEx.

Note: Carrier Shipping is available for those using the Shopify “Business” plan or higher. 

4. Offering Ground, Priority, Over-night shipping

You can also offer multiple shipping options to your customers, such as: ground, priority, or over-night. 


To create multiple shipping options, go to your “Shipping” page under “Preferences” on your admin panel.

Choose either “add weight-based rate” or “add price-based rate.” Create new rates based on the types of shipping you wish to offer, making sure to clearly title each option. Remember to keep all of the actual rates the same weight or price!

At checkout, Shopify will present all valid shipping options available to that customer and allow him to pick . The default option will be the most inexpensive one.

Shipping_Options.jpg

 

Related Article: Can I prevent or edit shipping to certain provinces or states?
Related Article: Can I add a shipping calculator before customers check out?

How to set up shipping rates (Shopify 2 Admin)

For great tips on deciding which shipping rate strategy is right for your store, check out our blog.

In this guide, you’ll find out how to set up:

  1. Price-based rates
  2. Weight-based rates
  3. Carrier-calculated shipping rates
  4. Ground/Priority/Overnight shipping options

To begin setting up your store’s shipping rates, login to your shop admin and go to the Settings > Shipping tab. Scroll down to the section entitled "Shipping rates."

There are 3 ways Shopify can calculate shipping costs during checkout: 1. based on the price of the order, 2. based on the weight of the order, 3. based on carrier-specific rates.

1. Price based rates

For price-based shipping, Shopify calculates the total cost of the order and, based on that amount, applies a shipping rate according to rules you have set.

To set your price-based rate rules, select “Add shipping rate” and enter a name for your rule.

For example, you can set a rule that any order from $50 to $99 should be charged $18 for shipping, and name this “Medium Order.”

Price based rates are the quickest to set up, as you don't need to enter the weight of each item. However, it can be less accurate than other methods, so be careful when you set your rules.

Note:all shipping rates are calculated based on pre-discounted totals. If a customer uses a discount code, shipping for the order will be calculated based on the original price of the product. 

2. Weight based rates

Weight based rates work the same way as price-based rates, except they are calculated based on the total weight of the order.

For example, you can set a rule that any order that weighs between 2.0lbs and 3.0lbs should be charged an additional $10 for shipping.

 

For the weight based rates, you will need to make sure that every product has a weight associated to it.

To do this, edit each Product Variant on your product page (located at the bottom of the page under "Inventory").

3. Carrier calculated shipping rates

This method is simple and the most accurate of the 3. You can let UPS, USPS, Canada Post and FedEx calculate the exact shipping cost of orders for you and your customers – in real time. This will minimize your shipping charges without affecting your margins.

To set up carrier-calculated shipping, scroll down to the “Carrier calculated shipping” section of the Settings> Shipping page in your admin panel. 


Click "Activate" for each carrier you wish to use. A new panel will appear under the Shipping carrier's name. Here, you will have to enter your address and/or account credentials for each carrier.

Remember to “Save” the new info.

Now when your customers go through checkout, your carrier will instantly calculate their shipping costs.

The setup steps for each carrier can vary. Check out specific instructions for your preferred carrier here: UPS, USPS and FedEx.

Note: Carrier Shipping is available for those using the Shopify “Business” plan or higher. 

4. Offering Ground, Priority, Over-night shipping

You can also offer multiple shipping options to your customers, such as: ground, priority, or over-night. 


To create multiple shipping options, go to your “Shipping” page and scroll down to "Shipping rates."

Click the Add shipping rate button. Choose either “add weight-based rate” or “add price-based rate.” Create new rates based on the types of shipping you wish to offer, making sure to clearly title each option. Remember to keep all of the actual rates the same weight or price!

At checkout, Shopify will present all valid shipping options available to that customer and allow him to pick . The default option will be the most inexpensive one.

Shipping_Options.jpg

 

Related Article: Can I prevent or edit shipping to certain provinces or states?
Related Article: Can I add a shipping calculator before customers check out?

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