If you own a Shopify store, you definitely know how essential it is to ensure a seamless customer experience even after checkout. From the time your customer places an order to the moment when the product arrives at their address, a lot can go wrong. Therefore, understanding the Shopify shipping terms is crucial for your profitability, better margins, and, of course, delivering the best possible customer experience. 

Planning a smart Shopify shipping strategy isn’t that easy, as you need to consider a lot of factors, including your shipping partner, their rates, the time they take to deliver your product, etc. Remember, you didn’t get into the e-commerce business just to pack boxes and ship your orders. You’re here to grow, succeed, and make a difference. 

So, how successful Shopify sellers are managing shipping and fulfillment? Eager to know! Let’s find out through this guide that will introduce you to some of the most popular shipping options available on Shopify, alongside the rate estimates.

Key Statistics on Shopify Shipping

• 87% of Shopify merchants manually ship orders to customers. (Source: Statista)
• Shopify covers 200+ countries and territories worldwide. (Source: Magecomp)
• FedEx, USPS, and UPS are the most preferred Shopify shipping carriers, with over 80% of the total share. (Source: Magecomp)
• Over 15% of US-based Shopify stores use USPS postal services. (Source: Magecomp)

What Is Shopify Shipping?

Shopify Shipping is an integrated shipping solution offered by Shopify to merchants based in the United States, Canada, and Australia. It allows easy tracking of shipments, ensuring both merchants and customers stay informed about delivery status.

Shopify Shipping provides discounted rates from leading carriers such as USPS, UPS, and DHL Express. These savings can be significant compared to standard retail pricing. Merchants can display real-time shipping rates to customers during checkout. This transparency helps improve the shopping experience and encourages conversions.

Shopify Shipping simplifies order fulfillment, offers cost savings, and enhances the overall shipping experience for merchants on the platform. 

How Does Shopify Shipping Work?

Shopify Shipping is an integrated shipping solution designed for Shopify stores. It offers all the necessary shipping options required to run an online store – whether it is about shipping locally or internationally. 

Additionally, it is an in-built program, so you don’t have to download or install third-party software. To Help you better understand how Shopify shipping works, here’s a closer look at the key features of Shopify Shipping and what makes it merchant-friendly. 

Customizable Shipping Options

Shopify Shipping allows you to customize your shipping preferences. You can choose from various carriers such as UPS, USPS, and DHL. You can even set up shipping rates based on your business needs. It allows you to select shipping speeds and packaging options according to your requirements.

Order Tracking

While not many of us are aware of this, real-time order tracking is included with Shopify Shipping. Regardless of the carrier you choose, you can track shipments directly from your Shopify dashboard. This feature provides better control over lost packages and ensures transparency for your customers.

Label Printing

You can easily print shipping labels from your Shopify dashboard, which means there is no need for third-party label printing services. Bulk label printing saves time and streamlines your fulfillment process.

International Shipping

Shopify Shipping supports international shipping. Even different carriers offer discounted international shipping rates. Built-in customs forms simplify the process for international orders.

In terms of costs, Shopify Shipping offers industry-leading discounts of up to 88% on USPS, UPS, and DHL shipping rates. Additionally, it includes $200 shipping insurance against damage, loss, and theft at no extra cost.

The Shopify shipping costs can vary based on factors like package weight, destination, and shipping speed. By leveraging Shopify Shipping, you can enhance your online store’s shipping experience and provide reliable service to your customers.

Does Shopify Charge for Shipping?

No, Shopify doesn’t charge shipping from merchants. Instead, customers bear all the shipping costs incurred for delivering a product to their doorstep. While there is no extra cost for accessing Shopify shipping features, you must have subscribed to Shopify’s paid plan. 

Although shipping features are free on Shopify, it doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay for other costs associated with it. The cost of label printing and any other expenses might be incurred due to the shipping process. 

These costs will be automatically added to your monthly subscription fees, so you don’t have to worry about paying them frequently. But be prepared for these costs. 

Benefits of Using Shopify Shipping for Store

Shopify itself offers plenty of benefits to sellers, and when it comes to shipping, these perks double up. While there are countless benefits of using Shopify Shipping, we have listed just the most prominent ones:

Free Trial

Regardless of where you are, Shopify has a plan tailored for you. Their 14-day free trial allows you to explore the platform and set up your online store. After the trial period, you can choose from various plans, with the most affordable one starting at just $29 per month.

User-Friendly System

Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or not, Shopify’s shipping system is straightforward to set up and use. The clean and intuitive interface makes navigation an ease. If you ever have questions, Shopify’s robust help center provides the answers you need.

Real-Time Shipping Rates

Shopify offers real-time shipping rate information, providing valuable insights. At checkout, rates are automatically calculated for shoppers, giving them options and enhancing their overall shopping experience.

Global Shipping Features

With international shipping gaining popularity, global shipping features are crucial for scaling e-commerce businesses. Shopify provides a wide range of international shipping options, allowing your business to thrive across borders.

Carrier Discounts

Shopify has established partnerships with major carriers such as USPS, UPS, DHL, and Canada Post. As a result, businesses can benefit from significant shipping cost savings—up to 88% off standard rates.

What are the Different Shipping Rate Options on Shopify?

Before shipping any product, a Shopify merchant must set their shipping rates. It includes how much they are willing to pay for shipping and how much they want to charge their customers. Below, we have listed down some of the most popular Shopify shipping rate options: 

Exact Shipping Cost

As the name suggests, the exact shipping cost is the same amount that your shipping carrier will charge you for shipping the product. It is one of the most common shipping methods on Shopify: 

Free Shipping

Free Shipping is probably the best way to convert your new customers into loyal ones. It means you’re charging nothing for shipping an order to your customer’s address. You can offer free shipping to your customers based on orders above a certain amount of money or through promotional codes. 

Weight-based Shipping

It refers to charging the shipping from the customers based on the weight of their shipment. This method is usually used for large and heavy products. 

Flat Rate Shipping

Flat-rate shipping refers to charging a fixed amount for shipping a product, regardless of its weight and value. This shipping rate model offers consistent prices for everyone. 

Price-tiered Shipping

This method of shipping includes charging a delivery cost based on the customer’s overall order value. For instance, a $20 order would have a different shipping rate than a $200 order. 

How to Set Up Shipping Rates on Shopify?

Having gained insight into the diverse shipping cost types, you might have got answers to your queries related to Shopify shipping. Below, we present a detailed process to set up shipping rates effectively.

1. Define Packaging and Product Weight

Begin by configuring your preferred packaging options in the Shopify admin interface. Shopify accommodates various packaging types, including packages, soft packages like bubble mailers, padded envelopes, and plastic sleeves. It is essential to input accurate product weights to ensure precise shipping charges. 

Ideally, weigh each item individually for precise measurements. Additionally, setting up dimensional weight based on package size is crucial, especially for shipping services considering dimensional weight when packages exceed a specific cubic foot threshold.

2. Establish Shipping Zones

The initial step in configuring shipping costs involves creating shipping zones. A shipping zone represents a designated area or region with uniform shipping rates. For instance, if your base is in New York City, the immediate 50-mile radius constitutes Zone 1, with subsequent zones expanding in 50-mile increments. 

Defining shipping zones is imperative to enabling customers to place orders within your specified regions. You can customize zones based on postal or zip codes in the Settings section of your Shopify admin.

3. Implement Shipping Rates

Following the creation of shipping zones, proceed to set up your shipping rates. Whether offering free, flat, or calculated shipping rates, ensure they are visible to customers during checkout. Each type of shipping rate is configured differently within the Shopify admin interface. 

For instance, enabling free shipping involves setting the price field value to zero, while conditional rates based on item weight can be established for specific shipping options.

4. Specify Transit Time

Defining transit times enhances customer satisfaction, as prompt shipping is highly valued by shoppers. Customers can make informed decisions during checkout by inputting accurate transit times in Shopify. 

Providing varied shipping speeds caters to different customer preferences, potentially reducing cart abandonment and boosting satisfaction levels.

5. Create Shipping Profiles

Shipping profiles serve as rule sets for distinct products and locations. Shopify allows you to create default or customized shipping profiles to streamline shipping rate accuracy. You can tailor shipping zones and rates by assigning products to specific shipping profiles. 

For instance, products destined for non-contiguous U.S. regions like Alaska or Hawaii can have adjusted shipping costs within the profile settings.

By following these steps diligently, you can easily set up shipping rates on Shopify, enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency.

Top Shopify Shipping Calculator Apps for Calculating Exact Shipping Rates

For those finding a viable answer to “how to calculate shipping on Shopify,” the consideration of using third-party apps may have crossed your mind. It is crucial for Shopify merchants to pinpoint the most precise and cost-efficient shipping solutions to uphold profitability and customer satisfaction. Fortunately, the Shopify app store offers a plethora of apps designed to streamline the shipping cost calculation process.

These apps boast diverse features that cater to various needs, ranging from feedback collection to label generation and notifying customers about delivery schedules. 

Among these functionalities, Shopify store owners can leverage shipping cost calculator tools to create tailored shipping options. By utilizing shipping software, merchants can accurately determine delivery prices, factoring in variables such as weight, quantity, and product price variations, ensuring precise pricing even when shipping methods differ.

Here are the top Shopify shipping calculators as follows:

• OrderCup
• Shopify Shipping Rates Calculator Plus
• AVADA Shipping Bar
• Easyship
• Shipup
• DHL Rate Calculator
• PH Multi-Carrier Shipping Label App
• Free Shipping Bar
• ShipZip – Shipping Rates

Conclusion

Shopify Shipping has emerged as one of the platform’s useful tools. It is incredibly useful for small- to medium-scale businesses that focus on offering the best possible customer experiences. 

However, there are some key considerations and drawbacks you should keep in mind while setting up shipping rates on Shopify. This guide to Shopify shipping has introduced you to key features, benefits, and different shipping rate options available on the platform. You can use this information to configure your Shopify shipping profile and make the most out of your e-commerce business. 

FAQs

Is Shipping Free on Shopify?

Shopify allows you to set up free shipping rates for your customers. You can offer free shipping for all orders or create specific criteria, such as order value thresholds or product categories.

Can I Use My Own Shipping on Shopify?

Yes, you can use your own shipping methods on Shopify. The platform integrates with major carriers like UPS, USPS, and DHL, allowing you to manage your shipping preferences and print labels directly within Shopify.

Does Shopify Automatically Ship Products?

While Shopify doesn’t physically ship products for you, it streamlines fulfillment. You can buy shipping labels, print them in Shopify, and get orders ready for delivery. The operational costs, including label printing and carrier fees, typically rest on the merchant.

Who Pays Shipping on Shopify?

Shopify itself doesn’t charge for shipping. Instead, it collaborates with carriers like UPS, USPS, and DHL to offer discounted rates to merchants. The merchant typically bears the costs associated with shipping, including label printing and carrier fees.

Does Shopify Provide Shipping in India?

Yes, Shopify provides shipping services in India. You can integrate carriers like Shiprocket from the Shopify App Store to streamline shipping within India and to international destinations.