Shipping configuration is one of the most operationally important setups when moving to Shopify. WooCommerce shipping is handled through a combination of core shipping zones/methods and plugins (Table Rate Shipping, WooCommerce Shipping, ShipStation). Shopify has a native shipping system plus integrations — understanding the mapping helps avoid checkout drop-off from misconfigured rates.

Shopify shipping architecture

Shopify shipping is configured at Settings → Shipping and delivery. Key concepts:

Shipping profiles: Groups of products with their own shipping rates. Use when different product types ship at different costs (e.g. standard items vs heavy furniture vs digital downloads).
Zones: Geographic areas (countries or regions) within a profile. Each zone has its own rate structure.
Rates within zones: Flat rate, price-based, weight-based, or carrier-calculated.
Conditions: Rates can be conditional on order price (e.g. free shipping over £50) or order weight.

Replacing WooCommerce flat rate shipping

WooCommerce flat rate shipping maps directly to Shopify flat rate:

Shopify: Settings → Shipping → your profile → Add rate → Flat rate
Name the rate exactly as shown to customers at checkout (e.g. "Standard delivery — 3-5 working days")
Multiple flat rates: create separate rates for different speeds (Standard, Express, Next Day)
Rate conditions by price: tick "Add conditions" → order price → "Free shipping on orders over £X"

Free shipping threshold

Free shipping over a threshold is one of the most conversion-critical checkout configurations:

In Shopify, add a rate called "Free standard delivery" with condition: minimum order price = £X
Keep paid rate alongside free rate — Shopify shows all applicable rates; free rate appears when threshold met
Consider showing free shipping progress in cart: "Add £X more for free delivery" — achievable with theme customisation or apps like Free Shipping Bar
Multiple thresholds: not natively supported without conditions per-rate (e.g. free standard over £30, free express over £75)

Carrier-calculated shipping

Shopify can calculate live carrier rates at checkout (requires Shopify plan or above, or Annual Basic plan):

Royal Mail, DPD, DHL, UPS, FedEx integrations available via carrier services
Requires accurate weight and dimensions on all products
Shopify Shipping (integrated carrier accounts): discounted rates with Royal Mail, Evri, DPD (available in UK)
Third-party rate calculators: Shippo, EasyPost — more carriers and options

Weight-based rates

// Example weight-based rate structure:
// 0 – 0.5 kg: £3.95 (letter/small parcel)
// 0.5 – 2 kg: £5.95 (medium parcel)
// 2 – 10 kg: £8.95 (large parcel)
// 10 kg+: £14.95 (heavy parcel)

Important: ensure all products have accurate weights set in Shopify (Products → edit → Shipping section → Weight). Without product weights, weight-based rates default to the lowest tier.

Replacing WooCommerce Table Rate Shipping

WooCommerce Table Rate Shipping by Barn2 or WooCommerce allows complex tiered rates. Shopify native supports price and weight conditions on rates. For more complex rules:

WooCommerce plugin	Shopify equivalent
Table Rate Shipping (Barn2)	Shopify conditional rates + shipping profiles, or Advanced Shipping Rules app
WooCommerce Shipping (Royal Mail integration)	Shopify Shipping (UK carrier integrations)
ShipStation for WooCommerce	ShipStation Shopify app (same platform, reconnect)
WooCommerce Local Pickup	Shopify native Local Pickup (Settings → Shipping → Local pickup)
Flexible Shipping	Advanced Shipping Rules (Shopify app)

Local pickup / click and collect

Shopify has native local pickup — no plugin required:

Settings → Shipping and delivery → Local pickup → Enable for each location
Customers see "Pick up in store" option at checkout, shown with your location name and address
Pick-up ready notification: automated email sent when order is marked ready for pickup
Multiple locations: show all pickup locations with estimated pickup time

Shipping for heavy, large, or hazardous items

Some products require special shipping handling:

Furniture and large items: Create a separate shipping profile for oversized items; add pallet/courier surcharge rate
Heavy items: Use weight-based rates or separate profiles with surcharges
Hazardous goods (aerosols, flammables, lithium batteries): some carriers refuse or surcharge — note restrictions on product page; offer only appropriate carrier rates
Temperature-sensitive: Refrigerated/frozen goods — restrict shipping to standard parcels carriers; add insulated packaging charge

Post-migration shipping checklist

All products have accurate weights and dimensions set
Shipping zones: domestic (UK), EU (if applicable), and worldwide configured
Free shipping threshold configured with correct value
Carrier-calculated rates: requires Shopify plan — upgrade or use flat rates on Basic
Local pickup: enabled if you have a physical location
Oversized/heavy products: separate shipping profile created
International shipping: duty and VAT information in policy pages
Test checkout: place test orders from each zone to verify rates display correctly

Setting up shipping rates on Shopify after WooCommerce (2026)