How to set Shopify shipping rates by ZIP code
If you run a Shopify store, you’ve probably noticed something: the platform doesn’t make it easy to customize shipping rates by ZIP code. Out of the box, you can set them by country, and in some cases by state or province. But if your business depends on finer control, that default isn’t always enough.
Luckily, there’s a way to make it work without upgrading your plan and using a calculated rates app. With the help of a delivery customization app, you can build rules that show or hide rates based on the customer’s ZIP code.
This article walks through how it works, when it’s useful, and what to keep in mind.
Why set shipping rates by ZIP code?
There are plenty of scenarios where country-level or even state-level shipping rules are too broad. For example:
A food delivery business might serve some parts of a city but not others.
A store shipping large items could offer local delivery only in specific neighborhoods.
A business in a large state may want different rates for urban vs rural areas.
In each case, ZIP codes are a practical way to control how customers see and choose shipping options. It keeps rates fair and avoids confusion at checkout.
The workaround: using a Delivery Customization app
Shopify does allow customization, but most store owners think they need the Advanced plan for calculated rates.
That’s not always true.
With a delivery customization app, you can create shipping rules that rely on native Shopify rates but only show them to customers in certain ZIP codes.
Here’s the process:
Set up rates for each group of ZIP codes.
Go to Settings > Shipping and delivery, and create one or more rates for each group of ZIP codes.
For example, you might have one rate for ZIP codes 90001–90050, another for 90051–90100, and so on.
Naming matters because it's what will determine showing / hiding them.
You can use slight differences in the names, e.g. "Express Delivery" for one set of ZIP codes, "Fast Delivery" for another.
Install a "delivery method customization" app.
A popular choice is Shipfy: Shipping Rules, though there are others in the Shopify App Store.
The app acts as a filter, hiding or showing rates depending on customer inputs.
Create rules for each ZIP code group.
In the app, set a rule for each rate so it only shows when the customer’s ZIP code matches the group.
Customers outside the group won’t see that option, so they’ll never accidentally choose the wrong rate.
That’s it. You’re simply layering rules on top of what Shopify already provides.
Things to keep in mind
While this solution is effective, it’s worth noting a few details:
You’ll need to keep ZIP code groups up to date if your service areas change.
Rules don’t calculate costs dynamically. They only filter the options you’ve already created.
If you expand beyond 3-4 different ZIP code groups, setup can take time.
FAQ
Why not use Local Delivery? One reason is that you may have weight-based or product-based rates. Local Delivery doesn't support that. Another reason is that Local Delivery only supports delivering within your own country. Finally, it doesn't support multiple shipping rates (e.g. Standard, Express).
Can I do this without an app? Not really. Shopify doesn’t provide ZIP code-based conditions by default, so an app is needed to handle the logic.
Does this affect my checkout speed? No, the rules run in the background and the logic is hosted on Shopify's servers. Customers won’t notice a delay.
Are apps like Shipfy free? Most delivery customization apps have a free trial, but long-term use often requires a paid plan.
What if my business serves multiple countries? You can apply the same method, just make sure that you don't make any mistakes with the group naming patterns.
Wrapping up
Shopify doesn’t support ZIP code-based shipping rates out of the box. But with a delivery customization app, you can set up groups of ZIP codes, connect them to rates, and filter what customers see at checkout.
It’s a practical way to save money, avoid unnecessary plan upgrades, and keep shipping simple for customers.
