Shipping methods and pricing

Shipping methods define how orders are delivered or collected. Pricing rules set the cost for each combination of fulfilment tag and shipping method.

Shipping methods

Shipping methods are either Delivery (shipped to customer) or Collection (customer picks up).

Creating a shipping method

1. Go to Settings > Shipping Configuration
2. Click Shipping Methods
3. Click Create Shipping Method
4. Fill in the details:
   • Name - Display name (e.g., "Royal Mail Standard")
   • Description - Optional details
   • Type - Delivery or Collection
   • Base Package Weight - Weight of packaging materials in grams
   • Active - Toggle availability
   • Sort Order - Display order
5. Click Create

Collection methods

For collection methods, you also specify:

• Address - Where customers collect orders
• Opening Hours - When collection is available

Pricing rules

Pricing rules define what customers pay. Each rule combines a fulfilment tag with a shipping method.

Creating a pricing rule

1. Go to Settings > Shipping Configuration
2. Click Pricing Rules
3. Click Create Pricing Rule
4. Configure the rule:
   • Fulfilment Tag - Which tag this applies to
   • Shipping Method - Which method this applies to
   • Country Code - Optional country restriction (e.g., "GB")
   • Postcode Patterns - Optional postcode restrictions
   • Zone Name - Optional label for the geographic area
   • Pricing Type - Free, Flat Rate, or Weight Based
5. Click Create

Pricing types

Free shipping

No charge for shipping. Use this for:

• Digital products
• Promotional free shipping
• Local collection

Flat rate

Fixed price regardless of order weight or size.

Set the Flat Price for the shipping cost.

Weight-based pricing

Price varies by total order weight. Add Weight Tiers with:

• Max Weight (grams) - Upper limit for this tier
• Price - Cost for orders up to this weight

Orders are charged based on which tier their total weight falls into.

Advanced options

Free threshold

Set a Free Threshold Amount to offer free shipping on orders over a certain value. For example, free shipping on orders over £50.

Postcode patterns

Restrict rules to specific postcodes using patterns:

• Wildcards - SW* matches SW1, SW2, SW11, etc.
• Regex - ^[A-Z]{2}\d{1,2} for more complex patterns

Use postcode patterns to offer different rates for different areas.

Package splitting

Enable Package Splitting when orders might exceed carrier weight limits:

• Set Max Weight Per Package in grams
• Orders exceeding this weight are split into multiple packages
• Each package is charged according to the pricing rules

Estimated delivery time

Add an Estimated Delivery Time Template to show customers expected delivery (e.g., "2-3 business days").

Advanced shipping features

Dynamic shipping method filtering

When viewing orders in your admin portal, you can filter by shipping method to find specific shipments.

How it works:

1. Go to Orders in admin portal
2. Use the shipping method filter dropdown
3. Select a specific shipping method
4. Order list updates to show only orders using that method

Benefits:

• Find all orders using a specific carrier
• Process shipments in batches by method
• Track which shipping methods are most popular
• Identify orders requiring special handling

The filter shows only active shipping methods configured in your system, sorted by their display order.

Configurable shipping calculation engine

Your shipping costs are calculated using a flexible engine that supports multiple factors:

Weight-based calculations:

• Total order weight drives pricing tier selection
• Products must have weights entered (in grams)
• System sums all item weights in cart
• Adds base package weight from shipping method
• Finds matching price tier

Package splitting: When orders exceed maximum package weight:

1. System calculates how many packages needed
2. Splits order into multiple packages
3. Each package weight stays under limit
4. Shipping cost calculated per package rules
5. Total shipping is sum of all packages

Example:

• Order weight: 3.5kg
• Max package weight: 2kg
• Result: 2 packages (2kg + 1.5kg)
• Shipping: Package 1 price + Package 2 price

Multiple package handling: The calculation engine automatically:

• Determines optimal package count
• Distributes weight across packages
• Applies pricing rules to each package
• Calculates total shipping cost
• Shows breakdown to you (not to customer)

Weight calculation best practices

Enter accurate weights:

• Include product weight plus packaging
• Account for protective materials
• Be consistent across similar products
• Test with real shipments to verify

Set realistic package limits:

• Match your actual carrier limits
• Consider handling capabilities
• Leave margin for packing materials
• Update if carrier policies change

Configure appropriate tiers:

• Cover your common order weights
• Gaps between tiers should be logical
• Highest tier should exceed typical orders
• Price tiers to cover actual costs

Multi-package scenarios

Heavy orders: Single heavy item or multiple items exceeding package weight limit are automatically split.

Mixed fulfilment tags: Orders with products having different fulfilment tags may ship separately even if under weight limit (different fulfilment methods).

Multiple shipments: If package splitting creates multiple packages, customers pay total shipping for all packages (system combines the costs).

Tracking: Each package in a split shipment can have separate tracking numbers when you fulfil the order.

Next steps

• Set up fulfilment tags if you haven't already
• Configure printable shipping methods for automatic labels
• Assign fulfilment tags and weights to your products
• Test your shipping configuration with sample orders