How to add handling charges for free shipping in WooCommerce

Sometimes offering free shipping doesn’t mean it’s truly free for your business.

Adding a small handling fee can help cover packaging, labor, or processing costs without removing the free shipping perk for customers.

This guide explains how to set up a free shipping method with an added handling charge using the Dotstore Flat Rate Shipping Plugin.

Instead of charging full shipping rates, you can maintain free shipping for customers while ensuring your store still recovers basic handling expenses.

Preconditions

Before starting, make sure:

• Flat Rate Shipping Plugin is installed and activated.
• You have an active shipping zone configured in WooCommerce.
• You know the amount you want to charge as handling (e.g., $2.50).

Step-by-Step Instructions to Set Up

1. Access Shipping Settings

• Go to your WordPress Dashboard → Dotstore → Flat Rate → Manage Shipping.

2. Create the Free Shipping Method with Handling Fee

• Click Add New Shipping Method.
• Title: "Free Shipping + Handling" (customers will see this name at checkout).
• Fee Type: Flat Rate.
• Fee Amount: Enter the handling charge (e.g., $2.50).
• Free Shipping Condition: Enable free shipping for eligible orders (based on your criteria, like minimum order amount).

3. Set Conditions for Free Shipping Eligibility

• In the Conditions section, choose your free shipping trigger:
  • Minimum order amount (e.g., orders above $50).
  • Specific product categories.

4. Save Your Settings

• Click Save Changes.
• Make sure the method is enabled for the correct shipping zone.

5. Test at Checkout

• Add products to your cart that meet the free shipping condition.

  Go to checkout and confirm you see the shipping option:

  • "Free Shipping + Handling — $2.50".

Alternate Uses

• Apply different handling fees for domestic vs. international orders.
• Add handling fees only during peak seasons like holidays.
• Combine with express delivery options for upselling faster shipping.

Business Benefits

• Recovers operational costs while still advertising free shipping.
• Maintains customer satisfaction with low perceived shipping costs.
• Encourages larger orders by setting a minimum order value for eligibility.

Expected Outcome

After setting this up:

• Customers see Free Shipping + Handling at checkout.
• Orders meeting the eligibility still pay the small handling fee (e.g., $2.50).
• Your store reduces losses from offering free shipping.