Matrix Rates
Matrix Rates calculates shipping from a rate sheet you upload. It works like Best Way (Table Rates), and adds a Delivery Type column so one sheet can offer several services at checkout, such as Standard, Express and Courier, each with its own price.
What Matrix Rates can do
- Price shipping by country, region/state and zip or postal code.
- Base the price on the cart's weight, subtotal or number of items.
- Offer several delivery services from one sheet using the Delivery Type column. The Delivery Type is the name customers see at checkout.
- Offer free shipping over a set order amount.
- Add a handling fee as a fixed amount or a percentage of the order subtotal.
- Show a custom message, such as "Please call us for a delivery price", when no rate on the sheet matches the customer's address and cart.
Rates are calculated for the whole cartMatrix Rates works out one price per Delivery Type from the cart's total weight, subtotal or number of items. It can't price groups of products differently within the same cart, for example bulky items on a pallet and small items by parcel. For product-based shipping rules, use ShipperHQ.
Add the Matrix Rates shipping method
- Go to Settings > Shipping Methods.
- Select Add Shipping Method, choose Matrix Rates, then select Add Shipping Method.
- Select Set-Up next to Matrix Rates to open its settings.
Configure the settings
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Enabled | Set to Yes to show Matrix Rates in the cart and at checkout. |
| Title | The name customers see for this shipping option at checkout, such as "Delivery". |
| Condition | What the rates are based on: Weight vs. Destination, Price vs. Destination or Number of Items vs. Destination. |
| Use Numeric Zipcode Ranges | Set to Yes if your sheet uses numeric zip code ranges, such as US zip codes. Leave as No for postcodes that contain letters, such as UK or Canadian postcodes, or if you aren't using postcodes. |
| Free Shipping Promotions | Set to Enable to offer free shipping over a set order amount. |
| Only Display Free Shipping | Set to Yes to hide the other options, such as Express, once an order qualifies for free shipping. |
| Free Shipping Display Text | The text customers see for the free shipping option. |
| Minimum Order Amount For Free Shipping | The order amount at which shipping becomes free. Enter a number only, with no currency symbol. |
| Include Free Shipping Items in Rate Calculation | Set to Yes to include items that get free shipping from a promotion in the cart's weight, subtotal or number of items. |
| Include Virtual Products in Rate Calculation | With Price vs. Destination or Number of Items vs. Destination, set to Yes to include virtual products in the calculation. |
| Calculate Handling Fee | Optional. Fixed amount or Percentage of the order subtotal. |
| Handling Fee | The handling fee amount or percentage. Leave empty for no fee. |
| Ship to Applicable Countries | All Allowed Countries or Specific Countries. Every country you allow must be on your rate sheet, or covered by a * row. |
| Displayed Error Message | The message shown when Matrix Rates isn't available for the customer's address and cart, such as "Please call us for a delivery price." |
| Sort Order | Where Matrix Rates appears in relation to your other shipping methods. 1 displays first. |
Select Save.
Build your rate sheet
Download the template
- After saving your settings, change the scope in the top right from Default Config to your main website.
- Select Export CSV to download the template with the correct column headings.
Fill in the rows
Each row is one rate: the destination, the weight, subtotal or item range it applies to, the shipping price and the Delivery Type.
- Use two-letter country codes, such as
US,CAorGB. - Use
*in a destination column to match anything. A row with*as the country covers every country not listed elsewhere on the sheet. - The most specific matching row is used first. For example, a row for a specific postal code is used before a
*row for the same country. - To give customers a choice of services, add one row per Delivery Type for the same destination and range.
- If no row matches the customer's address and cart, Matrix Rates isn't offered and the Displayed Error Message shows instead.
- Don't leave blank rows in the sheet.
Here's an example of rates ready to import:
Upload the sheet
Save the file as a Windows CSVThe rate sheet must be saved and uploaded as a Windows CSV file. Excel (.xls) and Mac CSV files won't be recognized and won't save.
With your main website still selected as the scope, select Choose File, choose your rate sheet and select Save.
Test before going live
To test Matrix Rates before customers see it, go to Settings > Method Restrictions and set Matrix Rates to Admin / Mobile Only. Create test orders in the Admin to check the rates for different addresses and carts. When you're happy, change it to No Restrictions.
Learn more about Method Restrictions
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Updated 10 days ago