Skip to content

What are shipping rules and why do you need them?

Shipping rules choose the courier for every order automatically. What they can be based on, and three simple rules most stores start with.

  • 1 min read
  • Published

By the Tranzit Group Australia team

In short

  • A rule says: if an order looks like this, ship it with that courier.
  • Rules can use postcode, state, weight, item quantity or order source.
  • Or let a rule pick the cheapest available service every time.

Choosing a courier for every order by hand is slow and easy to get wrong on a busy day. Shipping rules make the decision for you: set them once and every new order follows them.

How a rule works

Each rule has a condition and an action. If the order matches the condition, the action picks the courier or service. In Tranzit Group Australia, conditions can be based on postcode, state, weight, item quantity or order source, and the action can be a particular courier or simply the cheapest available service.

Three rules to start with

  1. 1Heavy parcels: if the weight is over a set amount, use the cheapest available service.
  2. 2Local orders: if the postcode is in your metro area, use the courier that's best value nearby.
  3. 3By store: if the order came from a particular store, use the courier you've agreed for it.

Rules and your default courier

Set a default courier under Courier Integrations for everything else, and use rules for the orders that need something different.

Not sure a rule is right?

Open an order and use Get Quote to see live prices from every connected courier before you change anything.

Ready to try it?

Our onboarding team contacts you after you register to go through your settings. Free to use*.

*Ex Melbourne customers only.

Get started free

Questions about this guide

Feeling inquisitive? Have a read through some of our FAQs or contact our team for help.

Need more help?

Our Australian support team replies within one business day.

Yes. Smart shipping rules automate carrier choice. You can tell Tranzit Group Australia to always pick the cheapest, the fastest or your preferred carrier per zone.

Yes. You can change the courier for any order by hand.

Yes. Rules can choose between any couriers you've connected, including your own accounts.

More guides

  • Getting started

    How to ship Shopify orders with Tranzit Group Australia

    Connect your Shopify store, add your couriers and print labels in bulk, with tracking written back to Shopify automatically. A step-by-step guide.

    Read now 2 min read

  • Couriers

    Your own courier account or ours: which should you use?

    Ship on your own negotiated courier accounts, on Tranzit Group Australia's pre-negotiated rates, or both. How each works and what changes for claims.

    Read now 2 min read

  • Fulfilment

    How to print shipping labels in bulk (and avoid reprints)

    Print every label, manifest and packing slip for the day's orders in one run, and the shipment details to check first so no label gets rejected.

    Read now 1 min read