How To Remove Shipping Calculated At Checkout Shopify: A Step-By-Step Guide

Understanding Shopify’s Default Shipping Calculation

Shopify’s default shipping calculation provides real-time shipping rates at checkout based on the customer’s location, the shipping zones you’ve set up, and the carrier rates you’ve chosen. This automation ensures accurate and transparent costs, helping build customer trust.

However, displaying the message “Shipping Calculated at Checkout” can sometimes cause hesitation or confusion. Customers may be unsure about final costs until the checkout process is nearly complete, leading to potential cart abandonment. This is especially problematic if you offer flat-rate or free shipping, where displaying this message isn’t necessary.

If you feel that this message creates friction in the buying process or doesn’t align with your shipping strategy, removing or customizing it may help improve conversions. In the next section, we’ll walk you through the steps to remove the “Shipping Calculated at Checkout” message from your Shopify store and create a smoother checkout experience.

A step guide to remove shipping calculated at checkout Shopify

Before you begin, make sure you’re logged into your Shopify account and ready to follow these steps. Now, follow these steps to quickly remove ‘Shipping calculated at Checkout’:

Step 1: Navigate to theme customization

1. From your Shopify dashboard, go to “Online Store” in the left-hand menu.

2. Select “Themes” and find your current active theme.

3. Click on the three dots next to the theme name, and choose “Edit Default Theme Content.”

Step 2: Search for the Shipping Text

1. In the theme editor, use the search function to locate the text by typing “Calculated at Checkout.”
2. This will display the relevant field that contains the default shipping message.

Step 3: Modify or Remove the Text

Once you locate the message field, you have two options:

• Remove the text completely by deleting it, which will eliminate any reference to shipping costs at checkout.
• Replace it with your own message, such as “Free shipping for orders over $50” or “Shipping fees will apply based on your location.”

Step 4: Save Your Edits

After making your changes, ensure you click the “Save” button at the top right of the page to confirm your updates.

Step 5: Review Your Store

1. Head back to your store and add an item to your cart.
2. Proceed to checkout to verify the changes have been applied. Check if the message has been removed or updated as desired.

When to Remove Shipping Calculation at Checkout

• When offering free shipping: If your store provides free shipping, displaying “Shipping Calculated at Checkout” may confuse customers. Removing it clarifies that no additional shipping fees will be applied.
• To reduce cart abandonment: Unexpected shipping costs are a common reason for cart abandonment. Removing this message can create a smoother, more transparent checkout process and reduce customer hesitation.
• When you want a simplified checkout process: If you aim to create a minimalist, distraction-free checkout page, removing unnecessary elements like shipping calculation messages can enhance the user experience.
• When you have flat-rate shipping: If you already have clear, predictable shipping rates (e.g., flat-rate or free shipping over a certain amount), the “Shipping Calculated at Checkout” message may be redundant and could cause unnecessary doubt.
• To avoid misleading international customers: If shipping fees vary significantly by location, displaying “Shipping Calculated at Checkout” could lead to confusion or frustration for international customers who may see unexpected fees.
• When using custom shipping messaging: Replacing the default message with personalized or promotional text (e.g., “Free shipping for orders over $50”) allows you to communicate better with your customers and highlight benefits.

Best shipping strategies to guarantee a good client experience

Ensuring a positive client experience in e-commerce is closely tied to your shipping strategies. Here are some effective shipping strategies to guarantee a good client experience:

Verify the accuracy of the shipping charges

• Precision in Cost Calculation: Ensuring the accuracy of shipping charges is crucial to providing a positive client experience. It’s important to have an automated system or reliable methods to calculate shipping costs, taking into account variables such as package weight, size, destination, and shipping method. 

This precision not only prevents overcharging or undercharging but also builds trust with customers. Inaccurate shipping charges can lead to disputes and negatively impact your reputation.

• Real-time Carrier Calculations: Integrating your e-commerce platform with real-time carrier-calculated shipping rates from reliable carriers like UPS, FedEx, or USPS can help maintain accuracy. These rates are constantly updated to reflect the latest shipping costs, ensuring that customers receive the most current pricing information.
• Transparent Handling Fees: If your shipping process includes handling or packaging fees, clearly communicate these charges to customers. Transparency about the breakdown of costs builds trust and minimizes any perceived hidden charges.

Whenever possible, provide free shipping

• Customer Attraction: Free shipping is an attractive proposition for customers and can be a powerful tool to increase sales and enhance the client experience. Offering free shipping, particularly for orders that meet a specific threshold (e.g., orders over $50), urges clients to make larger purchases to be eligible for the benefit.
• Competitive Advantage: In a competitive market, free shipping can set your business apart from competitors. Many online shoppers actively seek out stores that offer this perk, and it can influence their decision to choose your store over others.
• Simplifies Checkout: Free shipping simplifies the checkout process, reducing friction in the buying journey. Customers don’t have to calculate or worry about additional costs, making the experience more enjoyable.

Never undervalue the value of packaging

• Product Protection: Proper packaging ensures that products arrive at their destination in pristine condition. When you invest in high-quality packaging materials and secure packing techniques, you reduce the risk of damage during transit. This not only saves you the cost of replacing damaged items but also prevents customer dissatisfaction.
• Branding & Presentation: Packaging is an opportunity to reinforce your brand identity and make a lasting impression on customers. Consider using branded packaging, which can enhance the unboxing experience and leave a positive impression. Thoughtfully designed and eco-friendly packaging can be a reflection of your brand’s values.
• Reduced Returns: Quality packaging can significantly reduce returns due to damaged goods. It’s more cost-effective to invest in secure packaging upfront than to deal with the logistics of processing returns, which can be a cumbersome and costly process for both you and your customers.
• Sustainability: In addition to protecting products, consider eco-friendly packaging options. Sustainability is increasingly important to customers, and environmentally conscious packaging can enhance your brand’s image and satisfy customers who value sustainability. 

Conclusion

In short, effective shipping can make or break the client experience and impact your business’s reputation. Accuracy, transparency, and a customer-first approach are essential for success. Offering free shipping simplifies shopping, attracts sales, and reduces checkout friction. By prioritizing client satisfaction and adapting to their needs, you’re not just shipping products—you’re delivering a great experience.