Custom shipping method settings

Custom shipping methods let you define your own shipping options with tailored pricing, availability, and delivery behavior. This article explains every setting available for a custom shipping method in DecoNetwork so you can configure it with confidence. The settings described here apply whether you are creating a new custom shipping method or editing an existing one.

In this article

• Prerequisites
• Why configure custom shipping method settings
• Accessing custom shipping method settings
• General settings
• Price breakdowns
• Shipping locations
• Availability settings
• Best-practice tips
• Troubleshooting
• FAQs
• Additional resources

Prerequisites

Why configure custom shipping method settings

Custom shipping methods give you full control over how shipping is offered and charged to your customers. Correctly configuring these settings helps you:

• Provide accurate shipping charges based on order value, weight, or quantity.
• Offer promotions such as free shipping above a certain order value.
• Communicate clearly using tailored names, descriptions, and email templates.
• Manage risk and expectations with COD options, tracking details, and delivery periods.
• Control availability by restricting methods to specific regions, stores, or Business Hub only.

Accessing custom shipping method settings

To open the settings for a custom shipping method:

1. Go to Admin → Settings → Shipping → Shipping Methods.
2. Locate your custom shipping method in the list.
3. Click Edit next to the shipping method to open its settings.

The settings are organized into tabs: General, Price breakdowns, Shipping locations, and Availability.

General settings

The General tab defines the core identity and behavior of the shipping method.

General section

Use the fields in the General section to control the name, visibility, and basic delivery information:

• Active: Toggles the shipping method on or off. Only active methods are available at checkout and in Business Hub.
• Name: The label for the shipping method. This name is displayed to customers during checkout and in Business Hub.
• Description: Additional text shown next to the shipping method name at checkout. Use this to explain what the method includes (for example, “Road freight, 3–5 business days”).
• Customer order email template: Select which order confirmation email template is sent to customers when they place an order using this shipping method. Available templates are configured in Admin > Settings > Email and order templates.
• Customer 'order shipped' email template: Select which order shipped email template is sent when an order using this shipping method is marked as shipped. Available templates are configured in Admin > Settings > Email and order templates.
• Default maximum delivery period: Sets how long this shipping method typically takes to deliver the order once production is complete.
  • Show in checkout: When ticked, the maximum delivery period is shown on the checkout shipping page. When unticked, the period is hidden from customers.

Markup and restriction section

Also on the General tab, the Markup section lets you add extra features and constraints such as tracking, COD, minimum order values, and weight limits.

• Includes tracking: Indicates that this method supports shipment tracking. When enabled, the Tracking URL field is revealed so you can enter the URL customers can use to track their shipment.

  

• Sets the shipping method as Cash on Delivery (COD). When enabled, additional fields appear so you can:

  • Provide COD details for the payment page.
  • Add instructions for COD on the order page and in customer emails.
  

• This method is free for orders that meet a minimum order value: When enabled, reveals a Minimum order value field. Orders with a total value at or above this minimum receive free shipping. Orders below the specified value are charged according to the Price breakdowns configuration.

  This is typically used to offer free shipping promotions above a certain order value.

  Note that you probably want this shipping method to appear at the top of the list of shipping methods so it is the default selection for customers if it is available. The customer will be notified they have qualified for "free shipping" during the checkout process if a minimum order value has been specified here.

  

• This method is only available for orders that meet a minimum order value requirement: When enabled, reveals a Minimum order value field. The shipping method is only offered if the order meets or exceeds this value.

  Use this when the shipping service should only be offered to higher-value orders, rather than simply becoming free above a threshold.

  

   

• This method has weight limitations: When enabled, reveals fields to specify minimum and maximum total weight for orders using this method.

  • The weight limitation applies to both website and Business Hub orders.
  • The method is available only if the total cart weight is within the specified range.
  • This option is available for custom shipping methods.
  

Price breakdowns

The Price breakdowns tab controls how shipping charges are calculated.

• Handling Fee: A base fee added to the total shipping charge. This is applied in addition to any delivery charges you configure.
• Calculation Method: Determines how the shipping cost is calculated:
  • Quantity – based on the number of items in the shipment.
  • Weight – based on the total weight of items in the shipment.
  • Value – based on the total value of goods in the shipment.
• Price per item: When ticked, each price breakdown applies per item. When unticked, the price breakdown applies to all items in the shipment.

• Add Breakdown: Lets you define tiered pricing for different ranges. For example:

  • 1–5 items: charge X
  • 6–10 items: charge Y
  • 11+ items: charge Z

  You can set similar ranges based on weight or value, depending on the chosen calculation method.

Shipping locations

The Shipping locations tab controls where this shipping method can be used.

• International shipping only: Restricts the shipping method to orders delivered to international addresses only.

• Domestic shipping only: Restricts the shipping method to orders delivered to domestic addresses only.

  When this option is selected, the Location Filter settings become available, where you can configure the applicable locations for the shipping method.

  
  • Zip code filter: Enter the zip/postcodes where this shipping method should be available.
    • Specify multiple locations by entering zip/postcodes separated with commas.
    • Specify a range using a hyphen, for example: 6000-7000.

• Delivers to all states (or countries): Determines which states or countries the shipping method delivers to. Use this to include or exclude specific regions from the service area.

  
• Exclude own country: Available when the method is configured as an international-only shipping method. Use this to exclude your own country as a destination.

Availability settings

The Availability tab defines where in DecoNetwork the shipping method can be selected and which stores can use it.

Availability section

• This shipping method is available in Webstores, Quotes & Orders (Business Hub) and Record Shipments (Business Hub): Makes the method available in:
  • All web stores at checkout
  • Quotes and orders created in Business Hub
  • Record Shipments in Business Hub
• This shipping method is available in Quotes & Orders (Business Hub) and Record Shipments (Business Hub): Removes the method from all web store checkouts, but keeps it available for:
  • Quotes and orders in Business Hub
  • Record Shipments in Business Hub
• This shipping method is available Hub. This is typically used for internal or specialized shipping scenarios.

Global section

The Global settings defines the default behavior of the shipping method for all stores:

• Available in all stores by default; or
• Unavailable in all stores by default.

This setting does not affect Business Hub availability.

Group section

The Group settings lets you enable the shipping method for specific store groups.

Groups are created in Admin > Websites > Store groups, and stores are assigned to groups in Admin > Websites > Manage > Administration > Group settings.

Store Group section

The Store section lets you set access to the shipping method on a per-store basis.

Best-practice tips

• Use clear names and descriptions so customers understand the difference between shipping options at checkout.
• Align thresholds such as minimum order values and weight limits with your actual carrier costs and policies.
• Test with sample orders (varying value, weight, and locations) to confirm the method appears and charges as expected.
• Keep availability simple by limiting the number of overlapping methods to reduce confusion for customers.

Troubleshooting

Shipping method is not appearing at checkout

• Confirm the method is Active on the General tab.
• Check Shipping locations to ensure the customer’s address meets any domestic, international, or zip code filters.
• Verify that any minimum order value or weight limitations are met by the order.
• Review the Availability tab to ensure the method is available to web stores (not restricted to Business Hub only).

Free shipping is not being applied

• Check which free-shipping option is enabled (for example, This method is free for orders that meet a minimum order value).
• Confirm the order total meets or exceeds the configured Minimum order value.
• Make sure there are no conflicting weight or location restrictions preventing the method from being used.

FAQs

Do these settings apply to both creating and editing custom shipping methods?

Yes. The settings described in this article are the same whether you are adding a new custom shipping method or editing an existing one.

Can I calculate shipping by both weight and value at the same time?

No. The Calculation Method selects one basis at a time (quantity, weight, or value). If you need different approaches, you can create separate shipping methods for each.

What is the difference between making a method free above a minimum value and only available above a minimum value?

When you make the method free above a minimum value, the method is still offered for lower-value orders but with a shipping charge. When you make the method only available above a minimum value, it is not offered at all for lower-value orders.

Additional resources

• Shipping methods
• Add a new custom shipping method
• Set availability for a shipping method