Step by Step Guide: How to Setup Shopify Shipping?

July 15, 2024

Learn how to set up Shopify shipping with our practical, step-by-step guide written by our Shopify dropshipping expert tailored for all Shopify businesses.

We offer Shopify customization services for business owners looking for theme customization, store setup, app development, migration, and store design and development. With more than five years of experience, our Shopify expert wrote this guide to help you easily set up shipping on your Shopify store.

Without taking much time, let's move to a practical guide. By the end of this guide, you'll have everything you need to configure your shipping settings effectively.

How to Set Up Shipping on Shopify: Step-by-Step Guide

Here are the complete steps to set up shipping at your Shopify store.

Step 1: Go to Shipping Settings

The first step is to log in to your Shopify store admin dashboard.
Now click on the "Settings" option in the bottom left corner.
Now you are in settings, click on "Shipping and Delivery" After clicking on it, you will be taken to the page where you can configure your shipping settings.

Step 2: Setup Shipping Profiles

The second step is to set up shipping profiles. To do this, follow the sub-steps below.

As you can see, shipping rates, shipping zones, and shipping profiles are under "Shipping and Delivery."
Before you set a shipping profile, Shopify automatically creates a general shipping profile to get you started. You can customize an already created profile or create new profiles for specific needs.

Step 3: Adding Custom Shipping Zones

The third step is to add shipping zones based on your business and your selling area.

To add custom shipping zones, scroll to shipping zones. Here, you will see the origin and zones of your shipping.
Now, create a new zone. For example, if you want specific rates for Algeria:
- Click on "Create Zone."

- Select the country "Algeria" from the list and click "Done."
After creating a zone, you can add rates by clicking "Add a Rate" to set the shipping rates for this zone.

Step 4: Setting Up Shipping Rates

Setting shipping rates is important to run an ecommerce business. Shopify allow You to add different shipping rates as follows:

Flat Rate: If you charge a fixed rate for shipping.
Free Shipping: If you don't want to charge any amount, offer free shipping. Free shipping is good if you started your business recently and attract customers.
Calculated Rates: You can setup the different custom rates according to different carrier companies. Use carrier-calculated rates (like USPS, UPS, DHL) to charge exact shipping costs based on product weight and customer location.
Handling Fee: Optionally, add a handling fee to cover additional costs.

Here are the steps to add all four shipping rates to your Shopify store.

1. Flat Rate Shipping:

To set a Flat rate, click on a shipping zone (e.g., U.S.) and then "Add Rate."
Name the rate, e.g., "Flat Rate."
Set a fixed price for shipping.

2. Free Shipping:

To set up free shipping click on "Add a Rate."
Name the rate, e.g., "Free Shipping."
Set the price to $0.
Optionally, you can also include a description like "3-4 day delivery."

3. Calculated Shipping Rates:

To set up calculated shipping rates, choose "Use carrier or app to calculate rates."
Now select carriers like DHL, UPS, or USPS, as well as other available options.
You can also configure additional settings, such as future services or handling fees.

Step 5: Handling Fees

You can set up handling fees if you have products that need manpower or machines to handle the products you sell.

Add Handling Fees:
- This can be a percentage or a flat amount.
- Useful for covering additional costs like employee time or packaging.

Step 6: Configuring Product Weights

You can also set different shipping rates for products of a specific weight.

Edit Product Weights:
- To configure product weight, go to the product details.
- Scroll to the "Shipping" section.
- Enter the weight of the product in pounds, ounces, kilograms, or grams.

Step 7: Creating New Shipping Profiles

If you want to add a new shipping profile you can add one. Here are a few steps to do.

Go to shipping profiles and click on the "Create Shipping Profile" option.
- Name the profile whatever you want; for e.g., we create "Handle with Care Products."
After creating a shipping profile, now add products to the profile.
- Select specific products for this profile.
- Set shipping zones and rates as needed.

Step 8: Local Delivery and Pickup

You can also set up local delivery and pickup points if applicable to your business.

1. Local Delivery:

Enable local delivery in the Shipping and Delivery settings.
Set up delivery zones by zip code or radius.
Specify delivery details and prices.

2. Local Pickup:

Enable local pickup.
Set expected pickup times and instructions.

Step 9: Third-Party Shipping Apps

If you use carriers like FedEx, integrate them using Shopify's shipping apps or third-party solutions available through the Shopify App Store.

Additional Carriers:
- First, install third-party apps like FedEx.
- Go to "Shipping Apps" in the Shipping and Delivery settings.
- Now follow the instructions to integrate the app with your Shopify store.

Step 10: Enabling Delivery Date Features

You can also add the delivery date with Shopify's "Shop Promise" feature and manually.

Shop Promise:
- To add a delivery date with Shop Promise. Enable Shop Promise to provide accurate delivery dates.
- Also, ensure Shopify Shop Pay is enabled.
Manual Delivery Dates:
- To set delivery dates manually, set expected delivery dates based on your processing times.
- This will provide accurate delivery estimates to customers at checkout.

Tips and Best Practices

Offer Multiple Shipping Options: Cater to different customer needs by providing various shipping methods.
Regularly Review and Update Rates: Ensure your competitive rates and cover your costs.
Test Your Settings: Place test orders to ensure everything is working as expected.

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