How to Set Up Magento Shipping Cost for Flat Rate, Table Rate & More Methods

Unexpected shipping charges are one of the reasons customers may abandon their carts. And if your Magento store doesn’t have clear shipping costs to display, it can confuse buyers. That’s why it is important to have a clear shipping cost for your Magento store.

By default, there are four configurable Magento shipping cost methods you can set. The simplest one is ‘Flat rate’, and the most flexible method is ‘Table rates’.

In this blog, I’ll help you configure shipping costs just like how expert Magento developers do. We’ll learn which option is best for you based on your store’s needs. With that said, let’s get started!

What are the Default Shipping Methods in Magento?

Magento gives you a few built-in shipping methods that cover most common needs. The default methods are flexible enough to handle simple shipping setups and can also be customized. Let’s easily understand each one.

Free Shipping

Free shipping is a go-to option if you want to attract more buyers and reduce cart abandonment. In Magento, you can enable this and set conditions, like only offering it when an order hits a certain value. It’s a smart way to reward bigger purchases without needing extra tools. You’ll find it easy to turn on and customize right from your dashboard.

Flat Rate Shipping

Flat rate keeps things simple for both you and your customers. It lets you charge one fixed amount per order or item, no matter the size or weight. This is especially helpful when your shipping costs are consistent. It also makes checkout more predictable, which customers always appreciate.

Table Rate Shipping

Table rates give you a bit more control without needing an extension. You can set up rules based on destination, weight, or order total using a CSV file. It’s a great choice if you want tiered shipping logic. It does take a few more steps to configure, but it’s worth it if you have varied shipping zones or product weights.

In-Store Delivery (Pickup)

If you have a physical location, in-store pickup is a helpful option. It lets customers collect their orders directly, saving them shipping costs and you the hassle of delivery. You can set which stores offer pickup and when it’s available. It’s ideal for local businesses or anyone blending online and offline sales.

So, Which Shipping  Method Should You Use?

Free shipping works for promotions, flat rates keep it all simple, and table rates handle complex pricing. And if you sell locally, in-store pickup cuts costs. If you want us to set up your eCommerce store, you can consult with our Magento development company.

How to Configure Magento Shipping Cost for Flat Rate Method?

Flat rate shipping is perfect when you want simple, predictable shipping fees. No complicated calculations, just one fixed rate that customers can directly see. Here’s how you can set it up in Magento.

Step 1: Log in to your Magento admin panel.

Step 2: Go to Stores > Settings > Configuration.

Step 3: In the left menu, click on Sales > Delivery Methods.

Step 4: Find the Flat Rate section and expand it.

Step 5: Set Enabled to Yes to turn on flat rate shipping.

Step 6: Enter a Title—this is what shoppers will see during checkout (e.g., “Standard Shipping”).

Step 7: Fill in the Method Name, which appears next to the rate (e.g., “Shipping Fee” or “Flat Rate”).

Step 8: Choose the type of flat rate:

• Per Order (one price for the full cart).
• Per Item (price multiplied by quantity).

Step 9: Set the Price you want to charge for shipping.

Step 10: Decide how you want to calculate handling fees—choose Fixed or Percent.

Step 11: Enter the actual Handling Fee value based on your choice above.

Step 12: Choose whether to apply the method to All Allowed Countries or just Specific Countries.

Step 13: Set the Sort Order (optional), then click Save Config.

Flat rate shipping keeps things simple for you and your customers. Test it with a dummy order to make sure it works before going live. If you need more flexibility in Magento shipping costs, go with table rates. We’ll see how to configure that in the next section.

How to Set Up Table Rate Shipping Cost in Magento?

Table rate shipping is a smart option when you need flexible shipping costs. It automatically adjusts fees based on weight, order value, or destination. Here’s how to set it up properly.

Step 1: Log in to your Magento admin and go to Stores > Settings > Configuration.

Step 2: Click Sales > Delivery Methods from the left-hand menu.

Step 3: Expand the Table Rates section and set Enabled to Yes.

Step 4: Enter a Title for your shipping method (e.g., “Courier Fees”).

Step 5: Add a Method Name that will appear next to the shipping cost in the cart.

Step 6: Choose a Condition for rate calculation:

• Weight vs. Destination
• Price vs. Destination
• Number of Items vs. Destination

Step 7: Set Include Virtual Products in Price Calculation to Yes (recommended).

Step 8: Choose how to Calculate Handling Fee—either as a Fixed amount or Percent.

Step 9: Enter the Handling Fee value depending on your choice above.

Step 10: If needed, write a custom error message or leave the default.

Step 11: Under Ship to Applicable Countries, select either All Allowed or Specific Countries.

Step 12: Set Show Method if Not Applicable to No to hide it when it doesn’t apply.

Step 13: Set the Sort Order to control its position during checkout, then click Save Config.

Step 14: Now, switch the Store View to a specific website and click Export CSV to download a sample file.

Step 15: Edit the CSV file using Excel or Google Sheets, set your custom rates, and then re-upload it under the Table Rates section using the Choose File button. Click Save Config again.

Table rates take a bit more setup than flat shipping, but they’re worth it. You’ll charge fair rates that actually cover your costs. After setting up, test with different addresses and order values to make sure it works right.

How to Enable Free Shipping in Magento?

If you want to increase your sales, free shipping works like magic. I’ve used it in my store and saw order values jump by 30%. Here’s the simple way to set it up in Magento; it takes about 3 minutes if you follow these steps.

Step 1: Log in to your Magento admin and go to Stores > Settings > Configuration.

Step 2: Click on Sales > Delivery Methods in the left sidebar.

Step 3: Expand the Free Shipping section.

Step 4: Set Enabled to Yes to activate the free shipping option.

Step 5: Fill in the Title and Method Name—these will show during checkout.

Step 6: Set the Minimum Order Amount to define when free shipping kicks in.

Step 7: Choose whether to Include Tax in that amount by setting this to Yes or No.

Step 8: Add a custom Displayed Error Message if free shipping isn’t available.

Step 9: Under Ship to Applicable Countries, select All Allowed or choose Specific Countries.

Step 10: Set Show Method if Not Applicable to Yes or No, based on your preference.

Step 11: Add a Sort Order number to control where this method appears during checkout.

Step 12: Click Save Config to apply your changes.

This is how simple it is. Free shipping is the easiest way to get customers to buy more. Just remember to check your profit margins first and your sales strategy.

Steps to Set Up In-Store Delivery in Magento

In-store delivery (or pickup) is a handy option if you have physical stores where customers can collect their orders. Magento makes it simple to enable this feature, but you’ll need a pickup location first. Here’s how I set it up in my Magento store.

Step 1: Log in to your Magento admin panel.

Step 2: Navigate to Stores > Settings > Configuration.

Step 3: Go to Sales > Delivery Methods in the sidebar menu.

Step 4: Expand the In-Store Delivery section.

Step 5: Set Enabled to Yes to activate in-store pickup.

Step 6: Enter a Method Name that will appear in the shopping cart (e.g., “Store Pickup”).

Step 7: Fill in the Title that customers will see at checkout.

Step 8: Set the Price for pickup service or leave it at 0.00 if it’s free.

Step 9: Enter the Search Radius in kilometers—this controls how far Magento searches for pickup locations.

Step 10: Add a custom Displayed Error Message or keep the default.

Step 11: Click Save Config to finish.

With that, you have the setup for in-store delivery in Magento. It’s a great way to offer convenience and cut delivery costs for your customers. Just make sure your pickup points are configured, and you’re ready to go!

FAQs on Magento Shipping Cost

Let’s Summarize

Managing shipping rates is simple when you know your options. Once you understand how to set up shipping costs for each method, you can match it with your business and customer needs.

• Use Flat Rate if: You want to keep it simple by keeping the same fee for every order.
• Use Table Rate if: You need flexible pricing based on destination, weight, or order value.
• Use In-Store Delivery if: You have physical locations and want to offer local pickup as a convenient option.

Choose what fits best, test your setup, and you’ll be able to offer a transparent checkout experience every time. If you want help to set up your Magento eStore the right way, connect with us today!