How to Set Up WooCommerce Shipping Zones In 2025

While researching WooCommerce shipping I stumbled on the shipping zones setup in the early phase. Then I felt curious about how it works and why we should configure it properly.

From the research I found all about WooCommerce shipping zones and learned how to set it up. By following these steps, you can do it too:

✅ Install and activate WooCommerce plugin
✅ Access the shipping setting
✅ Creating a new shipping zone
✅ Set the name and regions to the shipping zone
✅ Add a shipping method to fulfill the process

I have also found out about other plugins to control shipping zone more extensively and learnt to avoid some common mistakes. Read this blog and you will get a clearer idea of shipping zones than ever before. 👇

What are WooCommerce Shipping Zones?

WooCommerce shipping zones are geographical areas that allow store owners to set shipping methods and rates based on customers’ location. It helps you to assign different shipping options for different regions.

For example, you can add a local pickup method only for your store’s surrounding area by adding a zip code.

Why Proper WooCommerce Shipping Zones Matter?

Setting up shipping zones properly in WooCommerce is vital for running a successful online store. Here’s why:

• Accurate Shipping Costs: It ensures that your customers are charged correctly based on their location.
• Tailored Shipping Options: Set specific shipping methods for different locations, such as free shipping for the home country or a flat rate for international customers.
• Improved Customer Experience: you can create a smoother checkout process by giving them relevant shipping options. It will reduce cart abandonment eventually.
• Better Shipping Strategy: you can set different rates for different zones, optimize shipping costs, and increase your profit margin in the process.

Now that you know the importance of the shipping zone better, you have to learn the setting process. Let’s do that ⬇️

How to Set Up Shipping Zones in WooCommerce [Step-By-Step Guide]

Follow this step-by-step guide to set up your WooCommerce shipping zones with ease.

Step 1: Go to the WooCommerce shipping setting

To begin you need to access the WordPress dashboard of your store and then click the WooCommerce option on the tab. Then click the settings option. It will take you to the detailed section for all types of settings.

Go to the shipping tab on the setting option. From here you can create a shipping zone.

Step 2: Add a new shipping zone

In the shipping option, you will see a list of added zones in your store. Click the add zone button to create a new shipping zone.

It will take you to an interface where you have to configure all the necessary details.

Step 3: Add shipping zone details

Now you should set a name for this zone. The name will indicate which setting and facility a customer is getting.

You also have to add zone regions. It will specify which geographical area this setting will apply to. You can select all countries, different continents, countries, or even cities within a country. Choose your preferred region.

After this, you have to select a shipping method for the region(s) you added.

💡 Pro Tips

You can directly search for your country or cities in the region option. The matching items will break down from continent ▶️ country ▶️ cities.

Step 4: Add suitable shipping methods

Now head over to the shipping method; here you can add the method you would like to offer for selected regions. Click the Add shipping method button. It will show you three default methods in woocommerce.

Free shipping will charge you no rate for deliveries in that selected region(s). You can offer free shipping based on different conditions.

Flat rate will charge you a fixed rate for deliveries. You can set up a flat rate for all products or charge different rates for different classes.

Local pickup will let your customer pick up the delivery for them in the given region(s). Usually, it’s near the store’s address.

After adding/changing the method you have to hit the save changes button to make it live for your store.

How can You Restrict Any User to a Specific Shipping Zone?

You can restrict any user to your preferred shipping zone but there’s no built-in option to do that in WooCommerce. You will need a plugin to customize a user-based shipping zone.

There are several plugins that allow us to do that, but for this instance, I will use WholesaleX. It’s a powerful tool for both B2B and B2C store owners to control dynamically.

With WholesaleX, you can add a dynamic rule that can give you control over which user from the shipping zone can get a specific method.

In the Shipping Rule, you can restrict a shipping zone and a method from it to a selected user. You have to configure the shipping regarding the products of your stores too.

Then you can add additional conditions to nudge that user to achieve a milestone to activate the given rule.

You can redesign or delete the rule anytime you want.

Best Plugins for WooCommerce Shipping Zones

Besides the WooCommerce basic setting, you can get enhanced control over shipping zones with additional plugins.

There are several plugins in the WordPress repository for you to edit zones extensively. I will provide you with some popular plugins and their best use cases.

You can get a bit more control over shipping from these plugins. You can choose any plugin from the table above based on your preference.

WooCommerce Shipping Zones Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes store owners might make. You can rectify it or avoid it by learning them.

1. Overlapping shipping zones

If you have multiple shipping zones with similar conditions, they may overlap. It might confuse WooCommerce when calculating rates.

Solution: Avoid overlapping zones by ensuring each zone is distinct and doesn’t conflict with another. Double-check your zones before saving the shipping settings.

2. Incorrect shipping rates

Shipping zones should be aligned with tax rates and additional fees, but this is often overlooked.

Solution: Check that shipping zones are set up according to your tax settings and other additional fees you prefer to apply based on regions.

3. Forgetting to assign a shipping method to a zone

You may forget to assign shipping methods to their selected zones. This means customers in those zones won’t see any available shipping options.

Solution: Always add the necessary shipping methods to each zone.

4. Not testing shipping methods for different zones

Sometimes, shipping methods are set up correctly but not tested, leading to issues when customers try to check out. This can result in missing or incorrect shipping options.

Solution: After setting up shipping zones, always test your shipping methods. Try simulating orders from different locations to ensure the correct shipping rates and options are shown.

Conclusion

WooCommerce shipping zone is one of the core requirements to set up a profitable store. It will make sure your customer can complete the checkout process smoothly.

From this blog you have discovered,

• Why shipping zone settings are important
• How you can do it efficiently
• How to control shipping zone with WholesaleX
• Some common mistake and their solution

Now you can implement those steps in your store and determine the change. Let us know how this blog helped you growing your business in the comments.

FAQs

How to add multiple shipping regions in the same zone?

You can add multiple shipping regions in your store by simply adding another region after one. Once you select a region click the box again and search for other regions. You can repeat this to add multiple regions.

Can I set up different shipping zones for different countries in WooCommerce?

Yes, you can set different shipping zones for different countries simply by adding another zone. Repeat the same process for adding a new zone and select the different country for each zone.

Can I offer free shipping in one zone and a flat rate in another?

Yes you can offer different methods for different zones. While creating another zone, select flat rate or free shipping (whichever you didn’t use) and save the changes.

Can I change the shipping destination to the customer’s billing address?

Yes, you can change the shipping destination from the shipping setting. Head over to the setting beside the zone and you will find the option to change it. You can choose from,

1. Default to customer shipping address
2. Default to customer billing address
3. Force shipping to the customer billing address

Check the box which one you prefer.

Written byShahbaj Arefin

Arefin is a passionate writer with over three years of experience exploring the world of WordPress and WooCommerce. He loves diving into themes, plugins, and tools, sharing insights that help users build and optimize their websites with ease. When he's not writing, you’ll find him testing the latest tech to uncover game-changing features for online businesses.