Product markup and flat-rate syntax
The exact text format of a product's Markup and Flat ship rates, with a worked example for every form. You need it when you edit these fields as text, in a CSV file, or in Shopify product tags.
Before you begin
The building blocks
| Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
5 |
An amount in dollars. |
2= |
Only on shipping method #2. Without it, a markup applies to every method. |
* at the end |
Charged once for all products in the cart with exactly the same text, instead of for each unit. |
5 3 4 10 3 |
Quantity tiers: $5, then $4 from 3 units, then $3 from 10 units. Pairs of units amount after the first amount. |
- |
A negative markup takes money off. |
Method numbers are the #1, #2… shown on the Shipping Rules page.
Markup
A markup is added to what the method charges. It isn't added on a method where the product ships free.
| Markup | Meaning | Cart | Added to shipping |
|---|---|---|---|
5 |
$5 per unit, every method | 3 units | $15 on every method |
5* |
$5 once, every method | 3 units | $5 on every method |
2=5 |
$5 per unit, method #2 only | 3 units | $15 on #2, nothing on others |
2=5* |
$5 once, method #2 only | 3 units | $5 on #2 |
2=5 3 4 10 3 |
Method #2: $5 per unit; $4 per unit from 3 units; $3 per unit from 10 | 2 / 3 / 10 units | $10 / $12 / $30 on #2 |
-2 |
$2 off per unit, every method | 3 units | −$6 on every method |
On most stores the Markup field holds 10 characters. Longer text is cut off. For several markup rules on one product, contact support.
Flat ship rates
A flat rate replaces the calculated shipping for this product on one method. ASM rates the rest of the cart as usual and adds the flat amount. A flat rate always names a method.
| Flat rate | Meaning | 1 unit | 4 units | 12 units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1=5.99 |
$5.99 per unit on #1 | $5.99 | $23.96 | $71.88 |
2=5 3 4 10 3 |
On #2: $5 per unit; $4 per unit from 3; $3 per unit from 10 | $5 | $16 | $36 |
2=15* |
$15 once on #2 | $15 | $15 | $15 |
1=19.99 3 30 6 45* |
On #1, once: $19.99; $30 from 3 units; $45 from 6 units | $19.99 | $30 | $45 |
A product can have one flat rate per method. In the editor, each method's rate is on its own line:
1=5.99
3=15.00
This charges $5.99 per unit on method #1 and $15.00 per unit on method #3. Methods without a line are charged by your shipping rules.
How tiers work
- A tier's amount applies to every unit once the cart reaches that quantity, not only to the units above it. At 4 units,
2=5 3 4charges 4 × $4 = $16, not 2 × $5 + 2 × $4. - With
*, the quantity is the total of all products in the cart sharing that exact text. Two products with1=19.99 3 30 6 45*, 2 units each, make 4 units: $30 once.
How "once" grouping works
Grouping (*) matches the text exactly:
- Two products both set to
5*: $5 once. - One product
5*, another3*: $5 + $3 = $8. - One product
5*, another5.00*: these are different texts, so $5 + $5 = $10. Use the same text on every product you want grouped.
Writing it in a CSV file
In a CSV cell, a space separates rules. So write each space inside a rule as ~:
| In the editor | In a CSV cell |
|---|---|
1=5.99 and 3=15.00 on two lines |
1=5.99 3=15.00 |
2=5 3 4 10 3 |
2=5~3~4~10~3 |
1=19.99 3 30 6 45* |
1=19.99~3~30~6~45* |
1=24 10 47* and 2=24 10 40* on two lines |
1=24~10~47* 2=24~10~40* |
The last row means: on #1, $24 once, or $47 once from 10 units; on #2, $24 once, or $40 once from 10 units. One ~ between the parts of a rule, one plain space between rules.
The markup column follows the same rule: 1.99, 4.5*, 2=5, or with tiers 2=5~3~4.
Writing it in Shopify product tags
In tags mode, flat rates use the CSV form (flat-ship-rates: 1=5.99 3=15.00). A markup tag holds one rule and can use plain spaces for tiers (markup: 2=5 3 4). See Shopify: control settings with product tags.