Set a carrier-calculated shipping rate in Shopify
Carrier-calculated rates ask the carrier for the price at checkout, using the parcel's weight, size, and destination. This tutorial turns on Canada Post calculated rates for the Canada zone and checks three parcels against a $10.00 flat rate, so the difference is visible.
Written · Shopify admin, desktop steps · 4 minutes read
The worked example
| Carrier | Canada Post |
| Zone | Canada |
| 1 lb parcel | $9.20 |
| 2.5 lb parcel | $14.75 |
| 5 lb parcel | $21.30 |
| Flat rate compared | $10.00 |
Download the comparison: carrier-rate-comparison.csv (104 bytes).
A carrier rate comparison: three parcels rated by the carrier against a $10.00 flat rate. It is a planning record, not a file Shopify imports.
1Check product weights are accurate
Carrier rates are only as good as the weights behind them. Enter accurate product weights first: the carrier prices by weight and dimensions, and a wrong weight means a wrong rate at checkout.
2Open the profile
From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Shipping and delivery. In the Shipping profiles section, click the profile that gets the rate.
3Add a shipping option
For the Canada zone, click Add shipping option. Name the option so customers can tell it apart from the flat rate, for example Canada Post calculated.
4Choose the carrier service
Select the carrier-calculated service for Canada Post. Built-in carrier integrations, such as Canada Post in Canada, work on all plans. Your own carrier accounts with UPS, FedEx, or USPS need third-party carrier-calculated shipping, which needs a specific plan or an extra monthly fee.
5Click Done, then Save
Click Done, then click Save. The carrier rate now shows at checkout next to your flat rate, with its expected transit time.
6Test three parcels
Check out with a 1 lb, a 2.5 lb, and a 5 lb parcel. The carrier prices each one on its own, so the gap against the $10.00 flat rate grows with the weight.
The arithmetic
Three parcels, carrier rate against the $10.00 flat rate.
| Parcel | Carrier rate | Flat rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 lb | $9.20 | $10.00 | -$0.80 |
| 2.5 lb | $14.75 | $10.00 | +$4.75 |
| 5 lb | $21.30 | $10.00 | +$11.30 |
$9.20 - $10.00 = -$0.80, $14.75 - $10.00 = $4.75, and $21.30 - $10.00 = $11.30. The light parcel is cheaper by carrier rate than by flat rate, and the heavy parcel is dearer. The steps between parcels are $14.75 - $9.20 = $5.55 and $21.30 - $14.75 = $6.55.
Held at the counter
Carrier rates show transit time, not your processing time. The rate shows the carrier's expected transit time. It does not include the time you take to pick and pack, so a promised delivery date needs both numbers added together.
Your own carrier accounts need a plan or a fee. Connecting your own UPS, FedEx, or USPS accounts needs third-party carrier-calculated shipping, which needs a specific Shopify plan or an extra monthly fee on your account.
Rates depend on the fulfilment location. Canada Post calculated rates need a Canadian fulfilment location. A location in another country hides that carrier's rates at checkout.
Sources
- Setting up shipping zones and rates — Shopify's help pages: the carrier-calculated rate steps, the Canada carrier availability table, the third-party carrier requirement, and the transit-time note.