In this section we will walk you through the process of shipping setup step-by-step. Please note that the shipping rates and methods are given as samples only. Use your own rates and methods when setting up shipping in your store.
Shipping system in X-Cart is based on the correct setup of the 3 main parameters:
Step 1. Desired shipping rates
First of all you need to decide exactly, which shipping method (or methods) you will use. You might want to use different shipping methods for certain package weight ranges, or for certain order subtotals; you might want to charge a flat charge, per item charge, percent charge or a combination of the above. In our example we will define charges depending on package weight.
Here are the shipping charges we want to set up:
UK:
weight range, kg |
shipping charge, GBP |
shipping method |
0-1 |
3.00 |
Royal Mail 1st Class |
1-2 |
5.00 |
Royal Mail 1st Class |
2+ |
9.00 |
City Link |
EU - EUROPEAN UNION:
weight range, kg |
shipping charge, GBP |
shipping method |
0-1 |
5.00 |
Royal Mail Airmail |
1-2 |
10.00 |
Parcelforce International |
2+ |
30.00 |
Parcelforce International |
USA / CANADA / FAR EAST & AUSTRALIA:
weight range, kg |
shipping charge, GBP |
shipping method |
0-1 |
8.00 |
Royal Mail Airmail |
1-2 |
18.00 |
Royal Mail International Signed For |
2+ |
43.00 |
Parcelforce International |
REST OF WORLD:
weight range, kg |
shipping charge, GBP |
shipping method |
0-1 |
8.00 |
Royal Mail Airmail |
1-2 |
18.00 |
Royal Mail International Signed For |
2+ |
55.00 |
Parcelforce International |
Step 2. Creating shipping methods
Create manually defined shipping methods you are going to use. The ones we need are as follows:
National
1. Royal Mail 1st Class
2. City Link
International
3. Royal Mail Airmail
4. Royal Mail International Signed For
5. Parcelforce International
So there should be 5 manually defined shipping methods set in the 'Shipping Methods' section of the cart admin area.
Step 3. Defining destination zones
Now it's necessary to define the destination zones you are going to use. This can be done in the 'Inventory' -> 'Destination zones' section. The zones should be as follows:
1. UK
2. EU (European Union)
3. USA / CANADA / FAR EAST & AUSTRALIA
4. REST OF WORLD
Note: Please be warned that you should not use one and the same country for 2 different destination zones. This will lead to the rates mess up.
Step 4. Setting up shipping rates
Once the shipping methods and the destination zones are defined you can set up rates in the 'Inventory' -> 'Shipping charges' section. Read more how to configure the charges in the 'Shipping charges' section.
You should get the following rules (sample for UK):
1. Royal Mail 1st Class/UK
2. City Link/UK
The rates for all other zones should be configured likewise. Please do note when you use one shipping method for one destination zone, you should define all rates for this method within one rule.
Once all shipping charges are defined, you should enable shipping for all the products in the cart. To do so check the 'General Settings' -> 'Shipping options' configuration and choose the options you like.