Create A Custom Service Shipping Method
Set up a flat rate or rate table, use package-based rates, or always offer free shipping at checkout.
Contents:
- Free Shipping Method
- Optional Settings (for all method types)
A custom service shipping method lets you create custom shipping options in several ways. You can configure custom shipping rates with a single flat rate table of predefined rates based on criteria such as quantity, weight, or cart total, set up package-based rates using box sizes, or create a free shipping method that always displays a free shipping rate at checkout.
How It Works
Shipping methods control how shipping rates are calculated and displayed to your customers at checkout. To return shipping rates, a shipping method must be assigned to at least one Scenario and associated with at least one zone.
When creating a custom service shipping method, you can choose from three options:
- Custom shipping rates - Charge a single flat rate for all qualifying orders, or create a rate table based on factors such as quantity, weight, cart total, or dimensional volume.
- Package-based rates - Charge flat rates based on the package sizes used to pack the order.
- Free shipping - Offer free shipping for all qualifying orders or only when specific thresholds are met, such as a minimum cart total or maximum order weight.
If you select Free shipping and configure a threshold, customers whose orders don't meet the threshold won't see this shipping method at checkout. To ensure they still have a shipping option, consider creating a separate paid shipping method that applies when the free shipping threshold isn't met.
Free shipping thresholds can also be applied to custom shipping rates (paid flat rates and table rates) and package-based shipping rates (flat rates per package size) if you want to offer paid and free shipping within the same method.
- Create a parcel service shipping method (real-time rates from integrated carrier services)
- Create an integrated service shipping method (rates from integrated subcription services)
- Create a freight service shipping method (rates from FedEx LTL)
- Create a local delivery shipping method (distance-based rates)
Add A Shipping Method
To complete this setup, you must have at least one Scenario. Shipping methods can only be created from within a Scenario. We also recommend having at least one custom zone. Each shipping method must be assigned to a zone.
1. Click Shipping on the sidebar menu, then select Scenarios from the drop-down list.

2. Click Edit beside the Scenario you want to assign the shipping method to.

3. Near the bottom of the page, click the Create shipping method button.

Custom Shipping Rates Method
This section walks you through setting up either a single flat shipping rate or a table of predefined rates. Rates from this shipping method are displayed at checkout only when the conditions of its parent Scenario are met. For example, if the Scenario requires the cart to contain at least one product tagged 'fragile', this shipping method will only be available when the customer orders a product with that tag.
Regardless of your Scenario conditions, you can offer free shipping based on a threshold - such as free shipping on orders over $100 or on orders weighing less than 50 lb - while still charging customers who don't qualify. Simply configure the free shipping threshold by following the steps under Optional Settings near the end of the guide.
If you prefer to create flat rates based on package sizes, skip ahead to the Package-based Rates Method.
If you want to offer free shipping on all orders (with or without a threshold), skip ahead to the Free Shipping Method.
The Select a service type pop-up opens with 'Custom services' expanded and 'Custom shipping rates' pre-selected.
1. Leave Custom shipping rates selected.

2. Click the Next button.

3. Select a Zone. If you have a lot of zones, type the zone name into the search field to narrow the list.

4. Click the Configure shipping button.

General
1. Enter a shipping method title.


Shipping method titles are visible to customers at checkout.
2. Set the shipping method status.

You have three settings to choose from:
- Archived - When Scenario conditions are met, the shipping method will be ignored and will not display rates, even in Sandbox mode.
- Testing - When Scenario conditions are met, the shipping method will be displayed at checkout only when using ‘Intuitive’ on the checkout page (see below).
- Published - When Scenario conditions are met, the shipping method will be displayed at checkout. This is the default setting.
When using the 'Testing' setting:
- For Shopify - Enter ‘Intuitive’ as the customer’s first or last name.
- For BigCommerce or Shopify B2B - Enter ‘Intuitive’ in the optional address field for ‘Apartment/ Suite/ Building’.
While in Sandbox mode, the 'Published' setting behaves the same as 'Testing' until a billing plan is selected. Learn more about how to test your Intuitive Shipping setup.
3. If desired, enter a description. We recommend limiting your description to 90 characters or less to ensure it displays properly on the checkout page.

Descriptions are displayed below the shipping method title at checkout.

Additional Display Settings
Additional display settings are available for custom delivery estimate and service codes.
- Custom delivery estimates are the approximate number of days for delivery displayed at checkout and help manage expectations for customers.
- Service codes are not displayed to customers, but get pushed to your fulfilment service, if applicable, once a checkout is successfully completed.
If you don't require custom delivery estimates or service codes, skip ahead to Shipping Cost.
Instead of displaying a custom delivery time in number of days, you can choose to display delivery dates. If you've enabled delivery dates in your General settings, the setting shown in this section will be called 'Custom delivery date' instead of 'Custom delivery estimate'.
The steps below show you how to configure custom delivery estimates in number of days.

Learn how to display delivery dates at checkout instead of the number of days.
1. Click Show additional display settings.

2. Enter a custom delivery estimate in days.

- Min delivery time - the lower limit of the delivery time range.
- Max delivery time - the upper limit of the delivery time range.
Number of days: Enter a number in either 'Min' or 'Max and leave the other field blank. For example, to display delivery time as '3 business days', enter '3' in 'Min' and leave the 'Max' field blank (or vice versa).
Range of days: Enter different numbers in each field. For example, to display delivery time as '3 to 5 business days', enter '3' in 'Min' and enter '5' in 'Max'.
Delivery times are displayed below the shipping method title at checkout.

3. Enter a service code, such as ‘GRD’.


Service codes are not visible to customers.
Shipping Cost
1. Select a rate type to determine how custom shipping rates will be calculated based on the contents of the customer's cart.

You have four options to choose from:
- Quantity - Calculates the shipping rate based on the total number of items in the cart. This is the default setting.
- Weight - Calculates the shipping rate based on the combined weight of the items in the cart.
- Total - Calculates the shipping rate based on the combined product subtotal in the cart.
- Dimensional volume - Calculates the shipping rate based on the combined dimensional volume of the items in the cart.
If you're setting up a single flat rate with no upper limit - meaning the same rate applies regardless of the cart contents - the Rate type setting has no effect and can be left at its default. The same flat rate will always be returned, regardless of the selected rate type.
For dimensional volume to work with Shopify, you must assign product dimensions in your Intuitive Shipping product settings or use product metafields for dimensions in your Shopify settings.
2. Select a rate grouping.

You have two options to choose from:
- Combine products - Calculates the shipping rate based on a combination of all products that pass product filtering in the Scenario.
- Separate products - Calculates the shipping rate based on each unique product that passes product filtering in the Scenario.
Any product or variant with a unique Product ID is considered a unique product. Learn more about product filtering in Scenarios.
Let's say you create these three rate rows:
- Rate #1 - Up to 2 items: $10.00
- Rate #2 - Up to 5 items: $25.00
- Rate #3 - More than 5 items: $50.00
A customer places an order containing:
- Medium blue T-shirt × 2
- Medium yellow T-shirt × 3
- Black ball cap × 6
Combine products: The customer is charged $50.00 for shipping. The quantities of all products are combined (2 + 3 + 6 = 11 items), so the order qualifies for Rate #3.
Separate products: The customer is charged $85.00 for shipping. Each product is rated independently, and the results are added together:
- 2 blue T-shirts = $10.00 (Rate #1)
- 3 yellow T-shirts = $25.00 (Rate #2)
- 6 black ball caps = $50.00 (Rate #3)
Total shipping: $85.00 ($10.00 + $25.00 + $50.00)
3. Enter a shipping rate.

Each rate row has three fields:
- Up to (a) - Sets the upper limit for the rate row. The unit of measure is based on the Rate type selected in Step 1. For example, if Quantity is selected, the up to limit is based on the number of items in the cart. If Weight is selected, the limit is based on the combined weight of the items in the cart.
- Cost (b) - Sets the shipping rate for the row.
- Per unit (c) - Applies the shipping rate on a per-unit basis. For example, if the Up to value is 10 items, the Cost is $4.00, and Per unit is 1, a customer ordering 3 items will be charged $12.00 for shipping ($4.00 × 3 items).

Only 'Up to' and 'Cost' are required in each row. The 'Per unit' setting is optional.
(a) Enter the Up to (upper limit) value for this rate row. Any cart value up to and including this limit will be charged the cost entered in (b). The displayed unit of measure is based on the Rate type selected in Step 1 and your General settings 'Units'.

Flat rates (single rate row)
If you're setting up a flat rate that applies to all orders, any order exceeding a fixed Up to value, such as 20, won't receive a shipping rate. To apply the same flat rate regardless of the cart contents, enter the ~ (tilde) symbol as the Up to value. In Intuitive Shipping, ~ means no limit.

Rate tables (multiple rate rows)
If you're creating a rate table with multiple rows, enter the upper limit for the first rate, such as 10. The cost entered in the (b) will apply only to cart values up to and including this limit.

(b). Enter the shipping cost for this rate row. Any cart value up to and including the Up to limit entered in (a) will be charged this shipping rate.

Flat rates (single rate row): Enter a flat cost that applies to all orders.
Rate tables (multiple rate rows): Enter the cost that applies to the up to limit of this row.
The currency displayed beside the Cost field (for example, 'USD') is based on your eCommerce platform's currency settings and can't be changed in Intuitive Shipping. Currency symbols, such as $, are not permitted.
(c). Enter the Per unit value for this rate row. Any cart value up to and including the Up to limit entered in (a) will be charged the shipping rate entered in (b) on a per-unit basis. This setting is optional.

Let’s say you have a quantity-based rate row configured as follows:
- Up to - No limit (~)
- Cost - $2.00
- Per unit - 1
If a customer orders 18 items, they’ll be charged $36.00 for shipping at checkout. This is calculated at $2.00 per item × 18 items.
Alternatively, let’s say you have a weight-based rate row configured as follows:
- Up to - No limit (~)
- Cost - $5.00
- Per unit - 10
If a customer orders 34 lbs of products, they’ll be charged $20.00 for shipping at checkout. The rate increases by $5.00 for every 10 lbs or portion thereof:
- $5.00 for the first 10 lbs
- $5.00 for the next 10 lbs
- $5.00 for the next 10 lbs
- $5.00 for the remaining 4 lbs
You can also combine the Up to limit with the Per unit setting to charge incremental shipping costs while preventing orders that exceed a maximum limit from receiving the rate.
For example, let’s say you have a weight-based rate row configured as follows:
- Up to - 150 lbs
- Cost - $5.00
- Per unit - 10
If a customer orders 120 lbs of products, they’ll be charged $60.00 for shipping at checkout. This is calculated at $5.00 for every 10 lbs.
However, if a customer orders 155 lbs, no shipping rate will be returned because the total weight exceeds the 150 lb limit.

Leave 'Per unit blank if you do not require a per-unit cost.
If you're setting up a flat rate (single rate row), skip ahead to Additional Shipping Cost Settings.
4. Click Add rate row to add more costs to your rate table, then repeat Steps 3.(a) through (c) to configure the Up to, Cost, and, if needed, Per unit values for each additional row.

When creating a rate table, add the rate rows in ascending order, starting with the lowest Up to limit and progressing to the highest.

If the final rate row doesn't have a fixed upper limit, such as '50', and you're not using the cart splitting feature described under Additional Shipping Costs, we recommend entering ~ (tilde) as the final Up to value. In Intuitive Shipping, ~ means no limit.
Using the example shown below:
- Orders containing 1 to 10 items are charged $25.00
- Orders containing 11 to 50 items are charged $50.00
- Orders containing 51 or more items are charged $75.00

If the $75.00 rate row had an Up to limit of 50 items instead of ~ (no limit), customers ordering more than 50 items wouldn't receive a shipping rate at checkout.
Free Shipping with Rate Tables
If you want to offer free shipping, add a rate row with a cost of '0'. This works well when the free shipping requirement uses the same rate type as the rest of the rate table.
For example, let's say your rate table is based on quantity and you want to offer free shipping on orders containing more than 30 items:
- Orders containing 1 to 10 items are charged $25.00
- Orders containing 11 to 30 items are charged $50.00
- Orders containing 51 or more items receive free shipping

If your free shipping requirement uses different criteria than the selected rate type, use a free shipping threshold instead. For example, if your rate table is based on weight but you want to offer free shipping when the cart total exceeds $250.00, configure a free shipping threshold.
Additional Shipping Cost Settings
Additional settings are available for Cart splitting and Rate table blending mode.
-
Cart splitting can be used with either a single rate row or a rate table with multiple rows. Instead of preventing checkout when an order exceeds the highest Up to limit, it calculates additional shipping charges for the amount that exceeds the limit.
-
Rate table blending mode is available only when using multiple rate rows. It combines the cost of each applicable rate row as the order progresses through the table. This is useful when shipping costs increase in tiers and a Per unit calculation isn't suitable because the costs aren't simple multiples of one another.
If you don't need cart splitting or rates table blending, skip ahead to Optional Settings.
1. Click Show additional shipping cost settings.

2. Choose if cart splitting should be applied when the last Up To limit is exceeded.

You have two options to choose from:
- Do not return a rate - If the order exceeds the Up to limit of the last (or only) rate row, no shipping rate will be returned at checkout. This is the default setting.
- Split cart into multiple calculations - If the order exceeds the Up to limit of the last (or only) rate row, the cart is split into multiple calculations, and the resulting shipping costs are combined.
For example, suppose you have the following quantity-based rate table:
- Up to 10 items - $25.00
- Up to 30 items - $50.00
- Up to 50 items - $70.00
When Do not return a rate is selected, a customer ordering 54 items won't receive a shipping rate at checkout because the order exceeds the Up to limit of the last rate row (50 items).

When Split cart into multiple calculations is selected, the same customer ordering 54 items will be charged $100.00 for shipping at checkout.
- The first 50 items are charged $75.00 using the highest Up to limit.
- The remaining 4 items are calculated separately and fall within the 'Up to 10' items rate row, adding $25.00, for a total of $100.00.

If the last (or only) rate row uses the ~ (tilde) symbol to indicate 'no limit', cart splitting won't function because the upper limit can never be exceeded.
If you’re setting up a flat rate (single rate row), the setting in Step 3 does not apply. Skip ahead to Optional Settings.
3. Select a rates table blending mode. This setting applies only to rate tables with multiple rate rows.

You have two settings to choose from:
- Return the highest applicable rate row - Only the highest applicable cost is used to calculate the shipping rate. This is the default setting.
- Add all applicable rate rows - The highest applicable cost and all lower applicable costs are added together.
For example, suppose you have the following weight-based rate table:
- Up to 10 lbs = $25.00
- Up to 30 lbs = $50.00
- Up to 50 lbs = $75.00
When Return the highest applicable rate row is selected, a customer ordering 18 lbs of products will be charged $50.00 because the order exceeds the first row's 10 lb limit but remains within the second row's 30 lb limit.
A customer ordering 48 lbs of products will be charged $75.00 because the order exceeds the second row's 30 lb limit but remains within the third row's 50 lb limit.

When Add all applicable rate rows is selected, a customer ordering 18 lbs of products will be charged $75.00 for shipping. This is calculated by adding the highest applicable rate ($50.00) to the lower applicable rate ($25.00).
A customer ordering 48 lbs of products will be charged $150.00 for shipping. This is calculated by adding the highest applicable rate ($75.00) to the two lower applicable rates ($50.00 and $25.00).

Caution: Combining Cart Splitting with Rate Table Blending
By default, Cart splitting is set to 'Do not return a rate', and Rate table blending is set to 'Return the highest applicable rate row'.

You can enable both 'Split cart into multiple calculations' and 'Add all applicable rate rows' at the same time.

While this combination is technically possible, and can be useful in certain situations, we generally recommend leaving one of these settings at its default setting to avoid creating shipping costs that are confusing or difficult to predict.
Optional Settings
Additional settings are available for cost adjustments, free shipping thresholds, custom shipping blending and rate blending. These settings are optional. To adjust these settings, skip ahead to the main Optional Settings section.
If you don't wish to adjust the optional settings, continue to the next section to save your custom rates shipping method.
Save Your Settings
1. Click the Save button to save your custom rates shipping method.

Package-based Shipping
This section continues from Step 3 of Add a Shipping Method, after clicking Create shipping method, and walks you through setting up package-based shipping rates. With this type of shipping method, rates are determined by the package size or sizes required to pack the customer's order.
Like custom shipping rates, a package-based shipping method is returned at checkout only when its parent Scenario's conditions are met.
As with custom flat rates and rate tables, you can offer free shipping based on a threshold - such as free shipping on orders over $100 or on orders weighing less than 50 lb - while still charging customers who don't qualify. Simply configure the Free shipping threshold setting under Optional settings later in this guide.
If you want to offer free shipping for all orders, skip ahead to the Free Shipping Method.
The Select a service type pop-up opens with 'Custom services' expanded and 'Custom shipping rates' pre-selected.
1. Select Package-based rates.

2. Click the Next button.

3. Select a Zone. If you have a lot of zones, type the zone name into the search field to narrow the list.

4. Click the Configure shipping button.

General
1. Enter a shipping method title.


Shipping method titles are visible to customers at checkout.
2. Set the shipping method status.

You have three options to choose from:
- Archived - When Scenario conditions are met, the shipping method will be ignored and will not display rates, even in Sandbox mode.
- Testing - When Scenario conditions are met, the shipping method will be displayed at checkout only when using ‘Intuitive’ on the checkout page (see below).
- Published - When Scenario conditions are met, the shipping method will be displayed at checkout. This is the default setting.
When using the 'Testing' setting:
- For Shopify - Enter ‘Intuitive’ as the customer’s first or last name.
- For BigCommerce or Shopify B2B - Enter ‘Intuitive’ in the optional address field for ‘Apartment/ Suite/ Building’.
While in Sandbox mode, the 'Published' setting behaves the same as 'Testing' until a billing plan is selected. Learn more about how to test your Intuitive Shipping setup.
3. If desired, enter a description. We recommend limiting your description to 90 characters or less to ensure it displays properly on the checkout page.

Descriptions are displayed below the shipping method title at checkout.

Additional Display Settings
Additional display settings are available for custom delivery estimate and service codes.
- Custom delivery estimates are the approximate number of days for delivery displayed at checkout and help manage expectations for customers.
- Service codes are not displayed to customers, but get pushed to your fulfilment service, if applicable, once a checkout is successfully completed.
If you don't require custom delivery estimates or service codes, skip ahead to Shipping Cost.
Instead of displaying a custom delivery time in number of days, you can choose to display delivery dates. If you've enabled delivery dates in your General settings, the setting shown in this section will be called 'Custom delivery date' instead of 'Custom delivery estimate'.
The steps below show you how to configure custom delivery estimates in number of days.

Learn how to display delivery dates at checkout instead of the number of days.
1. Click Show additional display settings.

2. Enter a custom delivery estimate in days.

- Min delivery time - The lower limit of the delivery time range.
- Max delivery time - The upper limit of the delivery time range.
Number of days: Enter a number in either 'Min' or 'Max and leave the other field blank. For example, to display delivery time as '3 business days', enter '3' in 'Min' and leave the 'Max' field blank (or vice versa).
Range of days: Enter different numbers in each field. For example, to display delivery time as '3 to 5 business days', enter '3' in 'Min' and enter '5' in 'Max'.
Delivery times are displayed below the shipping method title at checkout.

3. Enter a service code, such as ‘GRD’.


Service codes are not visible to customers.
Packages
The packing algorithm determins how shipping costs will be calculated using the packages selected in the shipping method.
1. Select a packing algorithm.

Your have six options to choose from:
- SmartBoxing® - Intuitive Shipping will select the best package combination based on both the weight and the dimensional volume of the order. This is the default setting.
- PortionPack - Intuitive Shipping will select the best package combination based on the portion weight of the order. See below for details.
- Weight-based – Intuitive Shipping will select the best package combination based on the whole weight of the order. See below for details.
- Quantity-based - Intuitive Shipping will select the best package combination based on the number of items in the order.
- Volume-based - Intuitive Shipping will select the best package combination based on the dimensional volume of the order.
- Points-based - Intuitive Shipping will select the best package combination based on a point system. Packing points are arbitrary values assigned to products by you.
For SmartBoxing® and volume-based algorithms to work with Shopify, you must assign product dimensions in your Intuitive Shipping product settings or set up metafields for product dimensions.

Learn more about assigning packing points to products.
PortionPack vs. Weight-based
Both PortionPack and weight-based packing algorithms consider the combined weight of the products being ordered. PortionPack allows you to sell items in bulk or 'portions', such as raw meat, whereas weight-based considers the weight as a whole.
Let's say you only use one package for every order and that package has a maximum weight of 25 lbs. If a customer orders 40 lbs worth of product:
- PortionPack - The order will be packed in 2 packages - one with 25 lbs, one with 15 lbs.
- Weight-based - The order will fail at checkout because the only available package cannot hold the entire weight of the order. A package capable of holding up to 40 lbs would be need to be assigned to the shipping method.
Please note: PortionPack doesn't distribute weight evenly across packages. Instead, it fills each package to its maximum weight capacity before placing the remaining weight into an additional package.
Additional Packing Settings
Additional packing settings are available for packing method and product dimensions.
- Packing method lets you choose if different products in the order are packed together or separately.
- Product dimensions can be used to limit packing when the packing algorithm doesn't otherwise consider dimensions, such as weight-based.
If you don't need to adjust these settings, skip ahead to Add Packages.
1. Click Show additional packing settings.

2. Select a packing method.

You have two options to choose from:
- Pack products together - All of the products in the order will be packed together. Packages will be split based on the selected packing algorithm and the packages assigned to the shipping method. This is the default setting.
- Pack products separately - Each unique product in the order will be packed separately based on the selected packing algorithm and the packages assigned to the shipping method.

Any product or variant with a unique Product ID is considered a unique product.
For example, if you select ‘Pack products separately’ and a customer orders 3 black hats, 2 yellow t-shirts, and 1 red hoodie, each product type will be packed in its own set of packages: the hats together, the shirts together, and the hoodie by itself.
Individual products already set to pack separately in Product settings will ignore this setting.

Learn more about product settings.
3. Choose how product dimensions interact with the packing algorithm. This is useful if you have products with one or more dimensions that exceed the dimensional limits of certain packages, regardless of the packing algorithm.

You have two options to choose from:
- Use product dimensions - Product dimensions are checked to ensure each product fits within the selected package, regardless of the chosen packing algorithm.
- Ignore product dimensions - Product dimensions are ignored, and packages are selected using only the chosen packing algorithm.
For example, let's say you're using a weight-based packing algorithm and have selected Use product dimensions. You have the following packages:
- 12 × 10 × 8 in - Up to 20 lb
- 15 × 10 × 10 in - Up to 25 lb
If a customer orders an 18 lb product measuring 6 × 14 × 3 in, the second package will be selected. Although the product is within the weight limit of the first package, its 14-inch dimension exceeds the first package's maximum dimension of 12 inches. This setting is ideal for rigid products that can't be bent or compressed to fit into a smaller box.
Using the same example with Ignore product dimensions selected, the first package will be used instead. Because only the product's weight is considered, the 18 lb product fits within the 20 lb limit. This setting is useful for flexible products that can be bent, folded, or compressed to fit into a smaller package.

SmartBoxing® always requires dimensions and will ignore this setting.
Add Packages
All packages saved in the Package Management system are listed in this section of the shipping method. You can select any or all packages from the list. If needed, you can also add new packages directly from here. Any package you add will automatically be saved to your central package settings, making it available for other shipping methods that use packages.

Learn more about adding packages to the package management system.
The following steps will show you how to add a package directly from the shipping method.
If the packages you need are already listed in the shipping method and you don't need to add more, skip ahead to Select Packages.
1. Click Add package.

2. Enter a package title, like ‘Box 1’ or ‘Large Envelope’.


Package titles are not visible to customers.
3. Select a package type.

You have two options to choose from:
- Box - Fixed length, width and height dimensions.
- Soft package - Fixed length and width dimensions; adjustable height dimension.
4. Enter the outer length, width, and height dimensions.

If you selected Soft package in the previous step, the height dimension refers to maximum height. Intuitive Shipping automatically adjusts height based on the actual size of the products being packaged. Learn more about soft packages.
Additional Settings
Additional settings are available for inner dimensions, maximum weight, empty weight, and package cost:
- Inner dimensions are used with the SmartBoxing® algorithm to improve packing accuracy. Use these if there’s a noticeable difference between the inner and outer dimensions or if extra packing material takes up space.
- Maximum weight lets you set a weight limit for each package. This helps prevent overloading the package or exceeding the carrier’s weight limit.
- Empty weight accounts for the package’s own weight, which can impact the total weight used to calculate carrier rates.
- Package cost is added to the total shipping cost, helping you recover the cost of your packaging materials.
If you don't need to add additional package information, skip ahead to Select Packages.
1. Click Show additional settings.

2. Enter the inner length, width, and height dimensions. When using the SmartBoxing® packing algorithm, these values improve packing accuracy if there’s a noticeable difference between the inner and outer dimensions or if extra packing material takes up space.

When inner dimensions are excluded, SmartBoxing® will use the outer dimensions to determine the most efficient packaging set. Learn more about SmartBoxing®
Inner dimensions can also be used with simple packing algorithms like weight-based or quantity-based packing if products in the order have been assigned dimensions.
3. Enter the maximum weight the package can hold. Intuitive Shipping will make sure the total product weight in a single package doesn’t exceed this limit. This setting is helpful if your package has a physical weight restriction or if you’re concerned about going over your carrier’s weight limit. Be sure to check with the carrier being used to ship the order for any package weight restrictions.

4. Enter the empty weight of the package. Intuitive Shipping adds this to the total weight of the products. Use this setting if the package’s weight is significant enough to affect your carrier’s rate calculation. If a maximum weight is set in the previous step, Intuitive Shipping automatically subtracts the empty weight from the package’s maximum weight during the packaging process.

Weight units, such as pounds (lbs) and kilograms (kg) are configured in General Settings. Learn more about updating your General settings.
5. Enter the package cost. Intuitive Shipping adds it to the total shipping cost - it does not appear as a separate line item. This setting is useful for recovering packaging costs through your shipping charges.

Currency is managed by your eCommerce platform. Learn more about updating currency settings.
6. Click Save. The new package will appear as a selectable option within this shipping method and will also be saved to the Package Management system for use in other shipping methods that use packages.

Select Packages
All packages you’ve added to Intuitive Shipping, including those added in the previous section, are listed in the shipping method. Only those with a checkmark next to them will be used by the packing algorithm during rate calculations.
1. To make all of your packages available, select ‘Custom Packages’. This acts as a select all option.

2. If you don’t want to use all packages, select only the ones you need. For longer lists, use the search bar or scroll to find specific packages.

Packages that aren't selected will be ignored by the packing algorithm during rate calculations.

Packages that have been archived (turned off) in the Package Management system will appear muted and show a ‘Package not available’ message. These packages are ignored by the packing algorithm during rate calculations, even if their checkbox is selected.

Learn how to change the status of a package in the Package management system.
Shipping Cost
Shipping rates from this method are displayed at checkout based on the package or packages required to pack the order. When more than one package is needed, the shipping costs for each package are combined.
For example, let's say you assign the following shipping rates:
- Box 1 - $8.00
- Box 2 - $12.00
- Box 3 - $18.00
- Box 4 - $26.00
If the entire order fits into Box 4, the customer is charged $26.00 for shipping at checkout.
If part of the order fits into Box 4 and the remaining items fit into Box 1, the customer is charged $34.00 ($26.00 + $8.00) for shipping at checkout.
1. Enter a cost for each package listed.

You must enter a cost for each listed package to save the shipping method. If you don't want to charge shipping for a certain package size, make sure it isn't selected.
2. Enter a Custom package cost. If an order can't be packed using any of the available packages, Intuitive Shipping creates a custom package based on the shipping dimensions of the products in the order. The cost entered here is returned at checkout when no configured package can accommodate the order.
We recommend setting the Custom package cost higher than the shipping cost of your largest configured package.
If you don't enter a custom package cost here, Intuitive Shipping will set it at '0.00' (no cost) when the shipping method is saved.
Optional Settings
Additional settings are available for cost adjustments, free shipping thresholds, custom shipping blending and rate blending. These settings are optional. To adjust these settings, skip ahead to the main Optional Settings section.
If you don't wish to adjust the optional settings, continue to the next section to save your package-based shipping method.
Save Your Settings
1. Click the Save button to save your package-based shipping method.

Free Shipping
This section continues from Step 3 of Add a Shipping Method, after clicking Create shipping method, and walks you through setting up a dedicated free shipping method. With this method, shipping is always free, regardless of the customer's order.
Like custom shipping rates and package-based shipping, a free shipping method is returned at checkout only when its parent Scenario's conditions are met.
As with custom flat rates, rate tables, and package-based shipping, you can apply a free shipping threshold to a free shipping method. For example, you can offer free shipping only on orders over $100 or on orders weighing less than 50 lb.
When using a threshold with a dedicated free shipping method, consider creating a separate paid shipping method for customers whose orders don't qualify. Otherwise, customers who don't meet the threshold won't see any shipping options at checkout.
The Select a service type pop-up opens with 'Custom services' expanded and 'Custom shipping rates' pre-selected.
1. Select Free shipping.

2. Click the Next button at the bottom of the pop-up.

3. Select a Zone. If you have a lot of zones, type the zone name into the search field to narrow the list.

4. Click the Configure shipping button.

General
1. Enter a shipping method title.


Shipping method titles are visible to customers at checkout.
2. Set the shipping method status.

You have three settings to choose from:
- Archived - When Scenario conditions are met, the shipping method will be ignored and will not display rates, even in Sandbox mode.
- Testing - When Scenario conditions are met, the shipping method will be displayed at checkout only when using ‘Intuitive’ on the checkout page (see below).
- Published - When Scenario conditions are met, the shipping method will be displayed at checkout. This is the default setting.
When using the 'Testing' setting:
- For Shopify - Enter ‘Intuitive’ as the customer’s first or last name.
- For BigCommerce or Shopify B2B - Enter ‘Intuitive’ in the optional address field for ‘Apartment/ Suite/ Building’.
While in Sandbox mode, the 'Published' setting behaves the same as 'Testing' until a billing plan is selected. Learn more about how to test your Intuitive Shipping setup.
3. If desired, enter a description. We recommend limiting your description to 90 characters or less to ensure it displays properly on the checkout page.

Descriptions are displayed below the shipping method title at checkout.

Additional Display Settings
Additional display settings are available for custom delivery estimate and service codes.
- Custom delivery estimates are the approximate number of days for delivery displayed at checkout and help manage expectations for customers.
- Service codes are not displayed to customers, but get pushed to your fulfilment service, if applicable, once a checkout is successfully completed.
If you don't require custom delivery estimates or service codes, skip ahead to
Instead of displaying a custom delivery time in number of days, you can choose to display delivery dates. If you've enabled delivery dates in your General settings, the setting shown in this section will be called 'Custom delivery date' instead of 'Custom delivery estimate'.
The steps below show you how to configure custom delivery estimates in number of days.

Learn how to display delivery dates at checkout instead of the number of days.
1. Click Show additional display settings.

2. Enter a custom delivery estimate in days.

- Min delivery time - the lower limit of the delivery time range.
- Max delivery time - the upper limit of the delivery time range.
Number of days: Enter a number in either 'Min' or 'Max and leave the other field blank. For example, to display delivery time as '3 business days', enter '3' in 'Min' and leave the 'Max' field blank (or vice versa).
Range of days: Enter different numbers in each field. For example, to display delivery time as '3 to 5 business days', enter '3' in 'Min' and enter '5' in 'Max'.
Delivery times are displayed below the shipping method title at checkout.

3. Enter a service code, such as ‘FREE’.


Service codes are not visible to customers.
Free Shipping Threshold
A free shipping method applies to any order that meets its parent Scenario's conditions. However, you can limit when free shipping is available by configuring a Free shipping threshold. When a threshold is enabled, customers whose orders don't meet the requirement won't see this shipping method at checkout, even if their order satisfies the Scenario's other conditions.
This may be the behavior you want. If so, we recommend explaining any free shipping requirements on your store's shipping page to help set customer expectations.
Alternatively, you can create a paid shipping method that serves as a fallback for customers whose orders don't qualify for free shipping.
If you don't need a free shipping threshold, skip ahead to Optional settings, or save your free shipping method.
1. Choose Set a free shipping threshold.

2. Select a free shipping threshold type.

You have three options to choose from:
- Total - Free shipping is offered based on the combined value of items in the cart.
- Quantity - Free shipping is offered based on the combined number of items in the cart.
- Weight - Free shipping is offered based on the combined weight of items in the cart.
3. Select the free shipping threshold operator.

You have six options to choose from:
- Greater than - Free shipping is offered when the cart value is greater than the value entered in the next step.
- Greater than or equals - Free shipping is offered when the cart value is greater than or equal to the value entered in the next step.
- Less than - Free shipping is offered when the cart value is less than the value entered in the next step.
- Less than or equals - Free shipping is offered when the cart value is less than or equal to the value entered in the next step.
- Equals - Free shipping is offered when the cart value is exactly equal to the value entered in the next step.
- Does not equal - Free shipping is offered when the cart value is any value other than the one entered in the next step.
4. Enter the free shipping threshold value. Free shipping will be offered when the cart value exceeds the value entered here, based on the settings in the Steps 2 and 3.

The unit of measure for the threshold value is based on the free shipping threshold type selected.
- If the selected threshold type is 'total', the unit of measure for the value will be based on the default currency in your eCommerce platform.
- If the selected threshold type is 'quantity', the unit of measure for the value is based on the number of items in the cart.
- If the selected threshold type is 'weight', the unit of measure for the value is based on the weight unit selected in your Intuitive Shipping general settings.
Optional Settings
Additional settings are available for custom shipping blending and rate blending. These settings are optional. To adjust these settings, skip ahead to the main Optional Settings section.
If you don't wish to adjust the optional settings, continue to the next section to save your free shipping method.
Save Your Settings
1. Click the Save button to save your free shipping method.

Optional Settings
Optional settings give you additional control over how shipping rates are calculated and displayed at checkout. These settings are not required.
- Cost adjustments - modify the final shipping cost returned at checkout, regardless of the original rate calculation.
- Free shipping - offer free shipping when an order meets a specified threshold, while charging your configured rates for orders that don't qualify.
- Custom shipping blending - combine rates from this shipping method with product-specific shipping costs.
- Rate blending - combine rates from this shipping method with rates from other shipping methods using simple or advanced blending.
For free shipping methods only:
-
Cost adjustment settings are not available.
-
Free shipping threshold settings are not displayed in the 'Optional settings' section and can be found in the main settings for that method type.
1. Click Show optional settings.

The screenshot above is from a custom rates shipping method and is shown for reference. The 'Show optional settings' button is available in all shipping methods and is located near the bottom of the page, above the 'Save' button.
Cost Adjustments
Customize how shipping costs appear at checkout by adjusting the final custom rate calculation.
Cost adjustment settings are only available for custom rates and package-based rates shipping methods. If you're creating a free shipping method, skip ahead to Custom Shipping Blending.
1. Click Add adjustment.

2. Enter a cost adjustment title, such as 'Markup', 'Discount' or 'Handling Fee' depending on the type of adjustment you're making.

3. Select a cost adjustment type.

You have ten options to choose from:
- Add flat amount - The calculated shipping rate will increase by the amount entered in Step 4. For example, if the calculated shipping rate is $28.50 and the flat amount is $3.00, the adjusted shipping rate will be $31.50.
- $28.50 + $3.00 = $31.50
- Add % of shipping rate - The calculated shipping rate will increase by the percentage entered in Step 4. For example, if the calculated shipping rate is $28.50 and the percentage is 5%, the adjusted shipping rate will be $29.93.
- $28.50 × 5% = $1.43
- $28.50 + $1.43 = $29.93
- Add % of cart value - The calculated shipping rate will increase by the percentage entered in Step 4, based on the cart value. For example, if the cart value is $150.00, the calculated shipping rate is $28.50, and the percentage is 10%, the adjusted shipping rate will be $43.50.
- $150.00 × 10% = $15.00
- $28.50 + $15.00 = $43.50
- Subtract flat amount - The calculated shipping rate will decrease by the amount entered in Step 4. For example, if the calculated shipping rate is $28.50 and the flat amount is $3.00, the adjusted shipping rate will be $25.50.
- $28.50 - $3.00 = $25.50
- Subtract % of shipping rate - The calculated shipping rate will decrease by the percentage entered in Step 4. For example, if the calculated shipping rate is $28.50 and the percentage is 5%, the adjusted shipping rate will be $27.07.
- $28.50 × 5% = $1.43
- $28.50 - $1.43 = $27.07
- Subtract % of cart value - The calculated shipping rate will decrease by the percentage entered in Step 4, based on the cart value. For example, if the cart value is $150.00, the calculated shipping rate is $28.50, and the percentage is 10%, the adjusted shipping rate will be $13.50.
- $150.00 × 10% = $15.00
- $28.50 - $15.00 = $13.50
- Multiply by - The calculated shipping rate will be multiplied by the value entered in Step 4. For example, if the calculated shipping rate is $28.50 and the value is 1.5, the adjusted shipping rate will be $42.75.
- $28.50 × 1.5 = $42.75
- Divide by - The calculated shipping rate will be divided by the value entered in Step 4. For example, if the calculated shipping rate is $28.50 and the value is 2, the adjusted shipping rate will be $14.25.
- $28.50 ÷ 2 = $14.25
- Set minimum rate - If the calculated shipping rate is lower than the value entered in Step 4, it will be increased to that value. For example, if the calculated shipping rate is $8.95 and the minimum rate is $10.00, the adjusted shipping rate will be $10.00.
- Set maximum rate - If the calculated shipping rate is higher than the value entered in Step 4, it will be reduced to that value. For example, if the calculated shipping rate is $118.95 and the maximum rate is $100.00, the adjusted shipping rate will be $100.00.
4. Enter a cost adjustment value.

Currency or percentage (%) symbols are not required and will result in errors when saving the shipping method.
Additional Cost Adjustments
You can apply multiple cost adjustments by clicking Add adjustment again. Adjustments are applied in the order they appear in the list, so the output of one adjustment becomes the input for the next.
For example, let's say you configure the following adjustments:
- Markup - Add % of shipping cost - 5%
- Handling - Add % of cart value - 2%
- Promo Discount - Divide by - 2
- Minimum Cost - Set minimum cost - $18.00

If the cart value is $150.00 and the calculated shipping rate is $28.50, the adjustments are applied in the following order:
- Markup
- $28.50 × 5% = $1.43
- $28.50 + $1.43 = $29.93
- Handling
- $150.00 × 2% = $3.00
- $29.93 + $3.00 = $32.93
- Price Promo Discount
- $32.93 ÷ 2 = $16.47
- Minimum Cost
- $16.47 is below the minimum cost of $18.00, so the final shipping rate is adjusted to $18.00.
If the shipping rate after the Price Promo Discount adjustment had been higher than the minimum cost - for example, $21.75 - the 'Set minimum cost' adjustment would have no effect.

Adjusted shipping rates cannot be negative at checkout.
For example, let's say you have the following cost adjustment:
- Discount - Subtract flat amount - $10.00
If the calculated shipping rate is $8.95, the adjusted shipping rate would normally be -$1.05. Because negative shipping rates can't be returned at checkout, the final shipping rate is automatically adjusted to $0.00.
However, negative shipping rates can still be used during calculations within Intuitive Shipping. Only the final shipping rate returned to checkout is prevented from being negative. This lets you apply discounts before additional adjustments, such as markups or minimum costs, are applied.
For example, let's say the cart value is still $150.00 and the calculated shipping rate is once again $28.50. The following cost adjustments are configured:
- Promo Discount - Divide by - 2
- Cart Discount - Subtract % of cart value - 15%
- Markup - Add % of shipping cost - 5%
- Minimum Cost - Set minimum cost - $18.00

The adjustments are applied in the following order:
- Promo Discount
- $28.50 ÷ 2 = $14.25
- Cart Discount
- $150.00 × 15% = $22.50
- $14.25 - $22.50 = -$8.25
- Markup
- -$8.25 × 5% = -$0.41
- -$8.25 + -$0.41 = -$8.66
- Minimum Cost
- -$8.66 is below the minimum cost of $18.00, so the final shipping rate is adjusted to $18.00.
Without the Set minimum cost adjustment, the final shipping rate would be adjusted to $0.00 at checkout because negative shipping rates cannot be displayed to customers.
Cost adjustments can be reordered by dragging and dropping them into your preferred order of operations. To move a cost adjustment, hover over the up/down arrow to the left of the adjustment, then click and drag it to a new position in the list.

Click the trash can symbol to the right of the adjustment row to remove a cost adjustment.

Rounding
Rounding can be applied to the final shipping rate, whether or not other cost adjustments are used. For example, if the calculated shipping rate is $28.50 and no other adjustments are applied, you can still round the final shipping rate up or down.
1. Select a rounding setting.

You have two options to choose from:
- Do not apply rounding - The final shipping rate, after all other cost adjustments have been applied, is returned exactly as calculated. This is the default setting.
- Round final shipping cost - The final shipping rate, after all other cost adjustments have been applied, is rounded according to the settings configured in the Steps 2 and 3 below.
If you aren't applying rounding, skip ahead to Free shipping threshold.
2. Choose the rounding direction.

You have three options to choose from:
- Up/down - The final shipping cost will be rounded up or down to the nearest increment selected in the next step, whichever is closer.
- Up - The final shipping cost will always be rounded up to nearest the increment selected in the next step.
- Down - The final shipping cost will always be rounded down to the nearest increment selected in the next step.
3. Choose the increment amount to round the shipping cost.

You have four options to choose from:
-
0.50 - The final shipping cost will be rounded up or down to the nearest 0.50 of your base currency. If the final shipping cost is $18.80, the cost will be rounded down to $18.50 or up to $19.00, depending on the setting selected in the previous step.
-
1.00 - The final shipping cost will be rounded up or down to the nearest 1.00 of your base currency. If the final shipping cost is $23.20, the cost will be rounded down to $23.00 or up to $24.00, depending on the setting selected in the previous step.
-
5.00 - The final shipping cost will be rounded up or down to the nearest 5.00 of your base currency. If the final shipping cost is $33.00, the cost will be rounded down to $30.00 or up to $35.00, depending on the setting selected in the previous step.
-
10.00 - The final shipping cost will be rounded up or down to the nearest 10.00 of your base currency. If the final shipping cost is $22.38, the cost will be rounded down to $20.00 or up to $30.00, depending on the setting selected in the previous step.
Free Shipping (Threshold)
Free Shipping settings (under 'Optional settings') are only available for custom rates and package-based rates shipping methods.
For free shipping methods only, go here to apply threshold settings or skip ahead to Custom Shipping Blending.
For custom rates (single flat rates or rate tables or package-based rates, use these settings to offer free shipping when an order meets a minimum or maximum threshold. This is especially useful for custom rate shipping methods when free shipping is based on something other than your selected rate type.
For example, let's say your custom rate table is based on weight, so shipping rates increase as the total cart weight increases. However, you want to offer free shipping on orders with a cart total over $200.00, regardless of weight. In this case, use the Free shipping threshold setting.
If you don't want to offer free shipping with your paid shipping rates, or you've already added a zero-cost (0.00) rate row to your custom rate table, skip ahead to Custom shipping blending.
1. Select Set a free shipping threshold.

2. Select a free shipping threshold type.

You have three settings to choose from:
- Total - Free shipping is offered based on the combined value of items in the cart.
- Quantity - Free shipping is offered based on the combined number of items in the cart.
- Weight - Free shipping is offered based on the combined weight of items in the cart.
3. Select the free shipping threshold operator.

You have six options to choose from:
- Greater than - Free shipping is offered when the cart value is greater than the value entered in the next step.
- Greater than or equals - Free shipping is offered when the cart value is greater than or equal to the value entered in the next step.
- Less than - Free shipping is offered when the cart value is less than the value entered in the next step.
- Less than or equals - Free shipping is offered when the cart value is less than or equal to the value entered in the next step.
- Equals - Free shipping is offered when the cart value is exactly equal to the value entered in the next step.
- Does not equal - Free shipping is offered when the cart value is any value other than the one entered in the next step.
4. Enter the free shipping threshold value. Free shipping will be offered when the cart value exceeds the value entered here, based on the settings in the Steps 2 and 3.

The unit of measure for the threshold value is based on the free shipping threshold type selected.
- If the selected threshold type is 'total', the unit of measure for the value will be based on the default currency in your eCommerce platform.
- If the selected threshold type is 'quantity', the unit of measure for the value is based on the number of items in the cart.
- If the selected threshold type is 'weight', the unit of measure for the value is based on the weight unit selected in your Intuitive Shipping general settings.
Additional Free Shipping Display Settings
Additional display settings are available for the title, description, delivery time, and service code when the free shipping threshold is met. These settings let you override the custom rates or package-based rates shipping method's general display settings only when free shipping is being offered.
If you don't require different display settings for free shipping, skip ahead to Custom shipping blending.
1. Click Show optional display settings.

2. Enter a free shipping title. When the free shipping threshold is enabled, the title entered here will override the title entered in 'General' when free shipping is offered.

3. Enter a free shipping description. When the free shipping threshold is enabled, the description entered here will override the description in 'General' when free shipping is offered.

4. Enter a free shipping delivery estimate. When the free shipping threshold is enabled, the delivery estimate entered here will override the estimate 'General' when free shipping is offered. This step shows you how to configure a custom delivery estimate in number of days.

Instead of displaying a custom delivery estimate in number of days, you can choose to display delivery dates. If you've enabled delivery dates in your Intuitive Shipping General settings, the setting shown in this step will be called 'Custom delivery date' instead of 'Custom delivery estimate'.

Learn how to display delivery dates at checkout instead of the number of days.
5. Enter a free shipping service code, like 'FREE'. The service code is pushed to your fulfillment service (if applicable) when a customer successfully completes their checkout. When the free shipping threshold is enabled, the service code entered here will override the service code entered in 'General' when free shipping is offered.

Custom Shipping Blending
If your store uses products with custom shipping costs, Intuitive Shipping can blend those product-specific shipping costs with the shipping rate calculated by this shipping method.

Learn how to set up custom shipping costs in product shipping settings.
For example, if a customer's cart includes a product with a custom shipping cost of $100.00 and this shipping method calculates a shipping rate of $25.00 for the rest of the cart, the customer will be charged $125.00 for shipping at checkout.
Alternatively, you can disable blending and choose to return either the custom shipping costs or the shipping rate from this shipping method, depending on which best suits your shipping setup.
If you don't use custom shipping costs, these settings are ignored regardless of how they're configured. Skip ahead to Rate blending.
1. Select a custom shipping blending option.

You have two options to choose from:
- Do not blend - Custom shipping costs will be ignored by the shipping method.
- Blend custom shipping costs - Custom shipping costs will be blended with the shipping rates calculated by the shipping method. This is the default setting.
If you choose 'Do not blend', skip ahead to Rate Blending.
Do not blend is useful if you want to return either the custom shipping costs or the shipping rate from this shipping method, but not both. For example, let's say a customer's cart contains:
- One product with a custom shipping cost of $100.00.
- Additional products that qualify for a $50.00 shipping rate from this shipping method.
The customer will be charged $50.00 for shipping because the shipping method rate is used instead of blending it with the custom shipping cost. However, if the customer removes the additional products from the cart, leaving only the product with the custom shipping cost, they'll be charged $100.00 for shipping.
For Free shipping methods, selecting 'Do not blend' returns free shipping when the cart contains a mix of products with and without custom shipping costs.
In other words, if the cart contains only products with custom shipping costs, the customer is charged the combined custom shipping costs instead.
Blend custom shipping costs is useful if you want to combine the custom shipping costs with the shipping rate calculated by this shipping method. Using the same example above:
- A customer ordering only the product with the custom shipping cost will be charged $100.00 for shipping.
- A customer ordering that product along with the additional products will be charged $150.00 for shipping ($100.00 + $50.00).
2. Select a blending mode.

You have two options to choose from:
- Add to final shipping cost - Custom shipping costs are added to the shipping rate calculated by the shipping method. This is the default setting.
- Replace shipping cost - Custom shipping costs replace the shipping rate calculated by the shipping method.
Add to final shipping cost is useful when you want to combine custom shipping costs with the shipping rate. For example, if a customer orders a product with a $100.00 custom shipping cost and the shipping method calculates a rate of $50.00 for the rest of the order, the customer will be charged $150.00 for shipping at checkout.
Replace shipping cost is useful when you want custom shipping costs to override the shipping rate calculated by the shipping method. Using the same example, the customer will be charged $100.00 for shipping at checkout because the custom shipping cost replaces the $50.00 shipping rate.

For Free shipping methods, either setting will result in the same final cost.
Additional Custom Shipping Blending Settings
Additional settings are available for filtering, markups, and discounts when blending custom shipping costs.
- Filtering - Choose whether products with custom shipping costs are included in or excluded from the shipping rate calculation.
- Markups - Increase custom shipping costs before they're blended with the shipping rate calculated by the shipping method.
- Discounts - Reduce custom shipping costs before they're blended with the shipping rate calculated by the shipping method.
If you don't need to filter products with custom shipping costs or apply markups or discounts, skip ahead to Rate Blending.
1. Click Show additional custom shipping blend settings.

2. Select a filter products option.

You have two options to chooose from:
- Include in shipping calculation - Products with custom shipping costs are included when calculating the shipping rate. For weight-based or dimensional volume-based shipping methods, the product weight or dimensions are included in the calculation.
- Exclude from shipping calculation - Products with custom shipping costs are excluded from the shipping rate calculation. For weight-based or dimensional volume-based shipping methods, the product weight or dimensions are ignored. This is the default setting.
For example, if you're using a weight-based shipping method, you can choose whether the weight of products with custom shipping costs counts toward the Up to limits in your rate table.
This setting doesn't affect custom shipping blending options. It only determines whether products with custom shipping costs are included when calculating the shipping rate.
3. Add a mark up to the custom shipping costs.

You have two options to choose from:
- Flat - Adds the amount entered here to the combined custom shipping costs for all applicable products in the cart. The adjusted total is then blended with the shipping rate calculated by the shipping method according to the selected Blending mode.
- Percentage - Increases the combined custom shipping costs by the percentage entered here. The adjusted total is then blended with the shipping rate calculated by the shipping method according to the selected Blending mode.
For example, let's say a customer orders multiple products, including two products with custom shipping costs of $50.00 and $30.00.
Flat
If the markup amount is $10.00:
- $50.00 + $30.00 = $80.00 (combined custom shipping costs)
- $80.00 + $10.00 = $90.00 (adjusted custom shipping costs)
- $90.00 is blended with the shipping rate calculated by the shipping method.
- If the shipping method calculates a rate of $15.00, the customer is charged $105.00 for shipping at checkout.
Percentage
If the markup percentage is 10%:
- $50.00 + $30.00 = $80.00 (combined custom shipping costs)
- $80.00 × 10% = $8.00
- $80.00 + $8.00 = $88.00 (adjusted custom shipping costs)
- $88.00 is blended with the shipping rate calculated by the shipping method.
- If the shipping method calculates a rate of $15.00, the customer is charged $103.00 for shipping at checkout.
You can apply both a flat markup and a percentage markup to the same shipping method. The flat markup is applied first, followed by the percentage markup.
For example, if the flat markup is $10.00 and the percentage markup is 5%, the adjustment is calculated as follows:
- $50.00 + $30.00 = $80.00 (combined custom shipping costs)
- $80.00 + $10.00 = $90.00 (combined custom shipping costs after the flat markup)
- $90.00 × 5% = $4.50
- $90.00 + $4.50 = $94.50 (combined custom shipping costs after the percentage markup)
- $94.50 is blended with the shipping rate calculated by the shipping method.
- If the shipping method calculates a rate of $15.00, the customer is charged $109.50 for shipping at checkout.
4. Add a discount to the custom shipping costs.

You have two options to choose from:
- Flat - Subtracts the amount entered here from the combined custom shipping costs for all applicable products in the cart. The adjusted total is then blended with the shipping rate calculated by the shipping method according to the selected Blending mode.
- Percentage - Reduces the combined custom shipping costs by the percentage entered here. The adjusted total is then blended with the shipping rate calculated by the shipping method according to the selected Blending mode.
For example, let's say a customer orders multiple products, including two products with custom shipping costs of $50.00 and $30.00.
Flat
If the discount amount is $5.00:
- $50.00 + $30.00 = $80.00 (combined custom shipping costs)
- $80.00 - $5.00 = $75.00 (adjusted custom shipping costs)
- $75.00 is blended with the shipping rate calculated by the shipping method.
- If the shipping method calculates a rate of $15.00, the customer is charged $90.00 for shipping at checkout.
Percentage
If the discount percentage is 5%:
- $50.00 + $30.00 = $80.00 (combined custom shipping costs)
- $80.00 × 5% = $4.00
- $80.00 - $4.00 = $76.00 (adjusted custom shipping costs)
- $76.00 is blended with the shipping rate calculated by the shipping method.
- If the shipping method calculates a rate of $15.00, the customer is charged $91.00 for shipping at checkout.
You can apply both a flat markup and a percentage markup to the same shipping method. The flat markup is applied first, followed by the percentage markup.
For example, if the flat discount is $5.00 and the percentage discount is 5%, the adjustment is calculated as follows:
- $50.00 + $30.00 = $80.00 (combined custom shipping costs)
- $80.00 - $5.00 = $75.00 (combined custom shipping costs after the flat discount)
- $75.00 × 5% = $3.75
- $75.00 - $3.75 = $71.25 (combined custom shipping costs after the percentage discount)
- $71.25 is blended with the shipping rate calculated by the shipping method.
- If the shipping method calculates a rate of $15.00, the customer is charged $86.25 for shipping at checkout.
Rate Blending
Rates from different shipping methods can be blended together, whether they're assigned to the same Scenario or different Scenarios. To use rate blending:
- Select either Simple blending or Advanced blending in your General settings.
- Enable Rate blending in at least two shipping methods.
- Configure your blending rules.

Learn more about blending rules and how to create them.
Let's say you have multiple shipping methods. This one returns a custom flat rate of $10.00, and another returns a live carrier rate. If the carrier calculates a rate of $27.50, rate blending can combine the two so the customer is charged $37.50 when both shipping methods apply to the same order.
You can also use rate blending to:
- Add optional shipping services or fees, such as White Glove Delivery.
- Offer expedited shipping options, such as 2-Day or Overnight, even when rates are returned by multiple shipping methods.
If you don't need to blend rates from multiple shipping methods, leave Rate blending set to 'Do not blend', then skip ahead to Save Your Settings.
1. Select Blend with other rates.

Simple Blending vs. Advanced Blending
By default, Intuitive Shipping uses Simple rate blending. If 'Blend with other rates' is enabled in two or more shipping methods, any applicable rates returned at checkout will be blended according to your Simple rate blending settings.
Advanced rate blending provides greater flexibility by allowing you to create multiple blending rules using blending group tags.
If you're not sure which blending mode your account is using, check the message below the Rate blending setting. It will display one of the following:
-
'Your account is currently setup to use simple rate blending.'

- 'Your account is currently setup to use advanced rate blending.'

To switch between Simple and Advanced rate blending, click Account settings. Any changes will take effect after you save the shipping method.
If you're using Simple rate blending, skip ahead to Save Your Settings.
If you're using advanced blending:
2. Add a Blending group tag. All shipping methods with the same blending group tag, regardless of the type of shipping method, will be blended together based on the rate blending rules.

Blending group tags are available only when Advanced rate blending is enabled in General settings. Tags aren't case-sensitive and can consist of a single letter or a word. We recommend using something simple, such as 'A'.

Blending group tags cannot contain spaces or special characters.
Save Your Settings
1. Click the Save button to save your optional settings.
What's Next:
Optional:
- Create a parcel service shipping method (carrier rates)
- Create a blended rate
- Create a condition group
- Add a location
- Update product settings
- Update general settings
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