How to Configure Cart-Specific Hide Shipping Rules in WooCommerce

Sometimes, shipping methods should change based on how much a customer is spending. For example, you may want to hide paid shipping for high-value orders or restrict certain shipping methods for low-value carts.

With cart-specific hide shipping rules, you can automatically control shipping visibility based on the cart subtotal, either before discounts or after discounts.

Cart condition based hide shipping rules

When should you use cart-specific hide shipping rules?

Use cart-based rules when:

You want to hide shipping methods once a cart reaches a certain value
Free shipping should appear only after a minimum order amount
Discounted carts need different shipping behavior
You want predictable shipping logic tied to cart value

Cart subtotal options

1. Cart Subtotal (Before Discount)

This option calculates the cart value before any coupons or discounts are applied.

When to Use It

When shipping rules should depend on the original product prices
When discounts should not affect shipping eligibility
For consistent thresholds regardless of promotions

Example

Cart subtotal (before discount): $120
Coupon applied: –$20
Final total: $100

If your rule is set to hide a shipping method for carts above $100, it will still apply because the original subtotal is $120.

Before discount rule — Before discount cart based rules

2. Cart Subtotal (After Discount)

This option calculates the cart value after all discounts are applied.

When to Use It

When shipping rules should depend on the actual amount paid
When discounted orders should follow a different shipping logic
For accurate, customer-centric shipping conditions

Example

Cart subtotal: $120
Coupon applied: –$20
Cart subtotal (after discount): $100

If your rule is set to hide a shipping method for carts above $110, it will not apply because the final subtotal is only $100.

After discount hide shipping rule — After discount cart based rule

How to configure cart-specific hide shipping rules

Step 1: Navigate to Hide Shipping Method Rules

Go to WooCommerce → Hide Shipping Method Rules
Click Add New Rule

Step 2: Select the Cart Subtotal Condition

Choose either:
- Cart Subtotal (Before Discount)
- Cart Subtotal (After Discount)

Step 3: Define the Subtotal Range

Set minimum and/or maximum cart value

Example:
- Hide Flat Rate when cart subtotal is greater than $100

Step 4: Choose Shipping Methods to Hide

Select the shipping methods you want to hide
Leave the allowed methods unselected

Step 5: Save and Test

Save the rule
Test with different cart values and coupon combinations

Practical use cases

Use Case 1: Hide Paid Shipping for High-Value Orders

Condition: Cart Subtotal (Before Discount) ≥ $150
Result: Hide Flat Rate and Express Shipping

Use Case 2: Control Shipping After Discounts

Condition: Cart Subtotal (After Discount) ≥ $100
Result: Show Free Shipping only if the final payable amount qualifies

Why cart-specific rules matter

Prevent unexpected shipping behavior
Keep shipping logic fair and predictable
Reduce checkout confusion
Works seamlessly with coupons and promotions
No code required

Conclusion

Cart-specific hide shipping rules give you full control over shipping behavior based on order value. By choosing between subtotal before discount and subtotal after discount, you can match shipping logic exactly to your business strategy—without confusing customers.