# Set up rates at checkout
URL: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/360000179036-set-up-rates-at-checkout
Canonical: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/360000179036-set-up-rates-at-checkout
Markdown: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/360000179036-set-up-rates-at-checkout.md
Updated: 2026-10-15

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.starshipit.com/llms.txt).

> Configure checkout packaging, courier services and fallback rates, then test the rates shown in your store.

Choose how Starshipit calculates checkout packages, enable the courier services you want to offer, and test the rates in your store. You can return live courier rates or configured table rates.

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## Before you begin

- Connect the couriers whose rates you want to offer and complete the checkout setup for your sales channel.
- Supply accurate item weights. Methods that use dimensions also need item dimensions from the checkout request or matching Product Catalogue records.
- For Shopify item dimensions, configure matching SKUs in [Product Catalogue](/articles/6817931777807-product-catalogue) and enable **Use on checkout** in **Settings > Product Catalogue**. Shopify product or variant dimension metafields apply to imported orders; checkout does not look them up.

Checkout package calculation is separate from **Settings > Packaging**, which controls package assignment when orders import. Changing an import packaging method does not select the checkout method.

## Choose how checkout packages are calculated

1. Go to **Settings > Checkout Rates > Settings**.
2. Choose a method under **Weight and Dimensions** or **Rates calculation**, depending on the screen shown in your account.
3. Click **Save**.
4. Reopen the settings and check that the method is still selected.

| Method | How it calculates packages |
| --- | --- |
| **Single Package using sum of integration item weights** | Uses the combined item weight for one package. It does not calculate a separate package from each item's dimensions. |
| **Single Package using sum of integration item weights and dimensions** | Combines item weights and dimensions into one package. Direct integration dimensions are supported for WooCommerce, Magento 1 and Magento 2. |
| **Single Package using default package weight and default dimensions** | Uses the weight and dimensions of your saved default package. |
| **Pack each item separately** | Rates each item unit as a separate package. Shopify uses matching Product Catalogue dimensions when checkout catalogue use and Shopify per-item rating are enabled. The older **Unique Package for each item using integration item weight and item dimensions** wording also covers direct item dimensions from WooCommerce and Magento 2. |
| **Automatically assign packages based on dimensions** | Uses Recommended Packaging to select suitable saved cartons from item dimensions. Follow [Configure recommended packaging at checkout](/articles/12219449620111-configure-recommended-packaging-at-checkout) for prerequisites and setup. |

### Rate each Shopify item separately

Use this method when each unit ships in its own package. In **Settings > Checkout Rates**, select **Pack each item separately**, also labelled **Rates calculated using item weight and dimensions (one package per item)** on some screens, then save.

Enable **Use on checkout** in **Settings > Product Catalogue** and check that the catalogue has the exact SKUs and complete dimensions for the cart. Review the catalogue's overwrite or populate-missing setting before relying on its weights. Missing item dimensions can fall back to default package dimensions; a returned rate does not prove the item dimensions were used.

Shopify per-item rating must be enabled for your account. If the option is unavailable or testing does not produce the expected separate packages, [ask Support to check access](https://support.starshipit.com/ticket) before relying on it.

### Use saved cartons at Shopify checkout

If items are packed together in your saved cartons, configure the real cartons under **Settings > Packaging**, then choose **Automatically assign packages based on dimensions** under **Settings > Checkout Rates**. Enable Product Catalogue checkout use and provide matching SKU dimensions as above.

This is a different calculation from rating each unit separately. Follow the [Recommended Packaging checkout guide](/articles/12219449620111-configure-recommended-packaging-at-checkout) for the full setup and limits.

## Add a courier service

1. Navigate to **Settings** \> **Checkout Rates**.
2. Navigate to the **Courier Configuration** tab.
3. Click **Add New Shipping Option**.
4. Select the Carrier & Product.
5. (Optional) **Display Name**
    * By default, when left empty, Starshipit uses the carrier’s service name (e.g., DHL Express Shipping).
    * However, if required, you can rename it to something more user-friendly (e.g., Express Shipping).
6. (Optional) **Margin**
    * Margins allow you to adjust the final shipping rate displayed to customers.
    * You can increase the rate (e.g., adding a handling fee) or decrease it (e.g., offering a discount).
    * Two margin types:
        * Flat Fee: Adds or subtracts a fixed amount (e.g., contract rate + $5.00).
        * Percentage: Adjusts the price by a percentage (e.g., contract rate + 5%).
    * This is useful for businesses looking to offset costs, apply handling fees, or offer competitive shipping rates.
7. (Optional) **Estimated Transit Time**
    * The estimated transit time provides an expected delivery timeframe for shipments using this service.
    * For DHL and Australia Post, transit times can be retrieved dynamically.
    * For other couriers, you can manually set transit times.
8. (Optional) **Display Start & End Time**
    * Display Time lets you control the visibility of shipping options based on time constraints.
    * Example: If your courier has a cutoff time, you can hide same-day delivery after 1 PM.
9. (Optional) **Group**
    * What is a Group?Group allow you to categorise similar shipping services from different carriers, helping to identify and organise them for a better user experience at checkout.
    * Why use a Group?
        * If multiple couriers offer the same type of service (e.g., express shipping), grouping ensures they are displayed under a single option.
        * Example: Instead of showing DHL Express and FedEx Priority separately, they can be grouped as Express Shipping.
        * This helps customers compare shipping rates and transit times for similar services from different carriers, making it easier to choose the best option.
    * How to use a Group?
        * Create a group by selecting "Add new group" in the Checkout Settings page.
        * Once created, services can be assigned to a group when adding a new shipping option.
10. Click **Save** to confirm the new shipping option.

## Enable failover rates

A **Fail Over rate** is a flat rate that you can enable which will be displayed on checkout in the case that the selected carrier does not return a rate for the address. This can be helpful when carriers experience a temporary outage or if the customer enters an invalid address that the courier does not recognise.

1. Go to **Settings**\> **Checkout Rates**\> **Courier Configuration**.
2. Click **Add New Shipping Option**.
3. Select the carrier.
4. In the **Product** dropdown, select **FAIL-OVER** (Domestic or International).
5. Set the Margin Value to determine the fallback rate.
6. Click **Save** to enable the failover rate.

## Set up table rates

Table rate shipping allows you to manually set shipping costs based on the location and weight of an order, which you can display at checkout instead of real-time carrier rates.

It also provides the flexibility to choose between real-time carrier rates or table rates, determined by factors such as destination, weight, order value, or the number of items in an order through customisable checkout [rules engine](/articles/rates-at-checkout/set-up-guides/rules-for-checkout-rates).

This helps you offer competitive and predictable shipping prices, enhancing the customer experience with clear, reliable, and cost-effective shipping options.

1. Navigate to **Settings** \> **Checkout Rates** \> **Courier Configuration**.
2. Click **Add New Shipping Option**.
3. Select **Flat Rate** under the **Select Carrier** dropdown menu.
4. Configure Table Rates:
    * Starshipit allows you to set rates in a matrix format based on location & weight.
    * Click [here](/articles/rates-at-checkout/set-up-guides/set-up-table-rates) for detailed table rate setup instructions.
5. (Optional) Tick **Set Table Rates as Default** to prioritise table rates over contract rates.
6. Click **Save** to finalise the setup.

## Test your checkout configuration

Use the Checkout Rates tool to check rates for the inputs you provide:

1. Go to **Settings**\> **Checkout Rates**\> **Tools**.
2. From the toggle, select which eCommerce platform you are using.
3. Enter the Country you would like to test.
4. The rest of the address can be auto-completed when using the Street field.
5. Enter in the Weight of the cart taking note of the unit needed.
6. Click **Get Rates**.
7. Review the rates, couriers and rules returned for those inputs.

An address-and-weight test does not verify Shopify SKU matching, item quantities or dimension-based packaging. To check those settings:

1. Open a test cart in your Shopify checkout with known SKUs and quantities, including multiple units when testing per-item packaging.
2. Request rates for a known delivery address without completing a purchase.
3. Open **Settings > Checkout Rates > Logs** in Starshipit and find the request by its time or address.
4. Review the item and package details available in the request and result. Compare them with the Product Catalogue dimensions, cart quantities and selected method.

If the packages or rates are unexpected, check the SKU match, all three dimensions, units, catalogue checkout setting and saved checkout method. Follow [Troubleshoot live rates at checkout](/articles/360001872876-troubleshoot-live-rates-at-checkout) before offering the rates to customers.