> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.arcuserp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Shipping Rules

> Use Shipping Rules to route orders by location, weight, value, channel, product category, carrier service, and freight conditions before label purchase.

<Note>
  Shipping rules are evaluated before the default carrier and service. Keep the
  fallback defaults sensible, but use rules for intentional routing.
</Note>

## Open Shipping Rules

1. Open **Settings**.
2. Choose **Entity Settings**.
3. Open **Shipping and Fulfillment**.
4. Choose **Shipping Rules**.

<Frame caption={"Shipping rules can be scoped to locations and narrowed by weight, order value, sales channel, product category, carrier tokens, preferred service, flat rate, and priority."}>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/arcuserp/ATYxy7SB_HGOBGqh/images/support/screenshots/settings/shipping-rules-modal.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ATYxy7SB_HGOBGqh&q=85&s=e80978053525cb114c7e5dd38cffc445" alt="Add Shipping Rule modal showing location scope, weight ranges, sales channel, product category, carrier tokens, preferred carrier, flat rate, and priority fields" width="1380" height="1040" data-path="images/support/screenshots/settings/shipping-rules-modal.png" />
</Frame>

## Build A Rule

Review each field:

* **Location scope**: all locations or one warehouse.
* **Weight range**: separates small parcel, heavy parcel, and edge cases.
* **Order value**: applies different routing for high-value or low-value orders.
* **Sales channel**: handles Shopify, Amazon, phone, counter, or wholesale differently.
* **Product category**: routes hazardous, fragile, oversized, or special categories.
* **Carrier tokens**: limits which Shippo services are eligible.
* **Preferred carrier and service**: guides auto-select and auto-buy behavior.
* **Free shipping or flat rate**: controls customer charge policy.
* **Priority**: lower numbers run earlier.

## Freight Classification Rules

Freight rules decide whether an order should stay parcel, move to LTL freight,
suggest review, add accessorials, or block the order. Test freight rules with
known orders before relying on them for live routing.

## Common Blocks

* **Wrong rule matched**: review location scope and priority first.
* **No carrier rates appear**: check Shippo, address validation, package dimensions, and allowed carrier tokens.
* **Flat rate differs from carrier cost**: flat rate is the customer charge policy, not the carrier invoice.
* **Freight order stayed parcel**: check freight rule conditions, product freight flags, dimensions, and weight.
* **Auto-buy selected an unexpected service**: review preferred service, service tokens, and auto-select cheapest settings.

## Related Articles

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Shipping and Fulfillment Setup" href="/support/settings/shipping">
    Configure Shippo, carrier defaults, shipping automation, packing, scanners, and printing.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Shipping Labels" href="/support/fulfillment/labels">
    Buy labels, void labels, track shipments, and handle carrier errors.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Freight vs Parcel" href="/support/fulfillment/freight-vs-parcel">
    Decide when orders should move through parcel or freight workflows.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Tax and AvaTax" href="/support/settings/tax-avatax">
    Review tax behavior when shipping charges or freight handling affect customer totals.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>