Setting up shipping & fulfillment
Wix Stores: Setting Up Real Time Shipping Calculation with USPS
Important:
We're in the process of rolling out new shipping settings. If you have a Create Region button instead of Add Region, then you have the new version. Learn how to set up shipping using the new settings.
Real Time Shipping Calculation allows you to charge customers a more accurate rate for shipping.
How do real time shipping calculations work?
The USPS calculator provides approximate, dynamically-calculated shipping rates based on the weight and dimensions of the order, and on the shipping cost to and from addresses.
Is this an estimate or the actual shipping price?
The price is a close estimate, however, actual shipping costs may vary based on how you choose to ship the package - the actual package you use and the actual weight of your package as determined by the carrier.
Do I have to ship with USPS?
No, USPS is used for calculation purposes only. The estimate is also what your customers are charged. When you actually ship orders, you are free to do so with any carrier you choose.
Important:
This feature is only available for merchants in the U.S selling in USD (except Puerto Rico).
Rates calculated during checkout may vary from the final shipping rates determined by USPS.
Rate adjustments:
If you ship using another carrier and the actual price ends up not being the same as the estimate, your customer is still charged the price shown to them using Real Time Shipping Calculations. To account for the difference, you can add a rate adjustment during setup to ensure that you cover your actual shipping expenses.
How do I choose which packaging to use for the purpose of calculations?
During setup, you are asked to choose your main package type. This package's details will be used to calculate the estimated shipping rates of all your deliveries, even though you may ship using other boxes (or use other carriers).
Let's look at two examples:
During setup, you chose the USPS Small Flat Rate Box and indicated that it can hold two items. A customer buys 3 items from your store. Shipping is calculated as though you ship it using 2 USPS Small Flat Rate Boxes. In actual fact, you may choose to ship the item in one Medium Flat Rate Box.
Most of your items are small enough to fit into a USPS Small Flat Rate box, but you do sell some larger items. In this case, you would still choose the USPS Small Flat Rate box during setup. To offset the higher shipping costs for your larger products, you might consider adding a Set Rate Adjustment during step 2 of the setup process.
I ship using different sized boxes. Which should I choose as my packaging type?
We recommend you select the package you use most often.
What is the difference between flat rate packaging and custom packaging?
Flat rate envelopes and boxes: When you select a USPS flat rate option, the price is calculated per package (whatever fits in the box). Product weight and destination do not factor into the price for domestic shipping.
Custom packaging: Choose the Custom option to calculate the price of delivery with a USPS envelope or box that is not a flat rate option or when you want to ship using any other type of packaging. Shipping costs are calculated based on package weight and customers' address.
Important:
Not all shipping services are available for all packaging types. Check your carrier for details. If your shipping and packaging selections are not among the available options – Wix may offer the customer an alternative delivery method. As a result, applicable shipping cost may be adjusted.
Step 1 | Prepare your products
Shipping calculations can be based on the weight of your products. If you have not already done so, enter a weight for each shippable product.
Note: When adding products in future, make sure to enter a weight.
To add a product's weight:
Click to edit a product.
Scroll down to the Inventory & shipping section and enter the Shipping weight.
Click Save.
Step 2 | Set up a shipping region and choose Calculate with USPS
Real Time Shipping Calculation must be set up per region. You can set up as many regions as you like.
Note: Real Time shipping calculations is currently available only for stores in the US selling in USD. If you are based in the US but do not see this option, make sure your address is set to the US and currency is set to USD.
Go to Shipping in your site's dashboard.
Edit and existing shipping a default region or create a new one.
Select USPS Calculated Rate from the drop-down list.
Step 3 | Choose and customize your shipping services
For US regions, the following services are available:
Ground Advantage (Previously called First-Class Mail) - Learn moreEstimated delivery: 2 - 5 business days
Suitable for packages up to 70 lbs. (package type restrictions apply)
Priority Mail - Learn moreDelivery within 1 - 3 business days
Suitable for flat rate package
Priority Mail Express - Learn moreFastest USPS domestic service
Suitable for flat rate envelopes
For international regions, the following services are available:
First-Class Package International - Learn moreSuitable for packages up to 4 pounds
Value of items must not exceed $400
Restrictions may apply based on country destination
Priority Mail International - Learn moreDelivery within 6 - 10 business days
Priority Mail Express international - Learn moreDelivery within 3 - 5 business days
When you offer multiple shipping services, your customer can choose one during checkout.
To choose and customize your shipping services:
Select the checkbox next to the service you want to offer.
(Optional) Enter an estimated delivery time. (e.g. you can add days to account for handling time).
Note: Customers see this information when selecting a shipping service.(Optional) Set Rate Adjustment (e.g. a $5 handling fee):
Note: Customers will not see this as a separate fee. It appears as part of the total shipping cost.Click to select percentage or amount.
Enter the percentage or the adjustment amount.
(Optional) Offer free shipping above a specific amount for this service:Select the Offer free shipping when a customer buys over a certain amount checkbox.
Enter the amount or percentage.
Repeat steps 1 - 4 for each service you offer.
Note: If you choose more than one service, all available services are displayed at checkout. Your customers can select the service they prefer.
Step 4 | Choose your packaging
Select the package you use most often. This package will be used to calculate all shipping estimates. You do not have to actually ship the order using this package. The main package type is used for calculation purposes.
Note: Not all shipping services are available for all types of packaging. Check your carrier for details.
Do one of the following:
Select your own package (not a USPS flat rate package) as your package type:Click Custom.
Enter a package name.
Enter the package dimensions.
Select a flat rate package:Select a USPS flat rate package type from the Your main shipping package drop-down list.
Enter the maximum number of products you estimate can fit in this box (e.g. if you select 3 products and a customer buys 9 products, shipping is calculated for 3 boxes).
Step 5 | Provide the address you ship from
Important: To ensure that correct rates apply, provide a 5-digit zip code. Do not add the 4-digit routing number.
Do one of the following:
If no address is displayed:Enter the address that the package is shipped from.
Note: If you have a separate shipping address (e.g. a warehouse), enter the shipping address. If not, enter your store address.
If an address is displayed and you do not ship from there:Click Change.
Enter the address that the package is shipped from.
Click Done.
If your shipping address is already displayed: Nothing needs to be changed.
Step 6 | Choose a default product weight and shipping rate
Enter a Backup weight per product.
The backup weight is used only when a product was not assigned a weight. If your products vary in weight, we recommend you enter an average weight or the weight of the best selling product.
Notes:The weight will apply to all regions with Real Time Shipping Calculations.
Backup weight is calculated per order (not per product).
If a backup rate is needed but hasn't been provided, the shipping fee your buyer will be charged is $0.
Enter a Backup shipping rate.
In the unlikely occurrence that shipping cannot be calculated during checkout, this is the shipping rate offered your customer. Learn more
This can happen, for example, when:Communication with USPS is down (rare).
You defined one service and you have a product that exceeds the maximum weight allowed for a service (e.g. First Class Mail that exceeds 13 oz.).
Any other reason a carrier could not provide a rate.
Step 7 | (Optional) Offer customers local delivery or pickup
After saving your shipping rule, you can select the region again and add local delivery or pickup options.
