This guide shows you how to set up free shipping for specific product categories in WooCommerce.

Required Plugin : Flexible Shipping Rules for WooCommerce

Step 1: Access Category Settings

1. Go to your WordPress admin dashboard
2. Navigate to Products → Categories
3. Find the category you want to set up free shipping for
4. Click “Edit” on that category

Step 2: Enable Category Free Shipping

1. Scroll down to find “Flexible Shipping” settings
2. Look for “Enable Category Free Shipping”
3. Change from “No” to “Yes”

Step 3: Choose Free Shipping Type

You have two options:

Option A: Based on Cart Value

• Select “Cart Value” from the dropdown
• Enter minimum cart value (e.g., $50.00)
• Free shipping when cart total ≥ $50

Option B: Based on Cart Quantity

• Select “Cart Quantity” from the dropdown
• Enter minimum quantity (e.g., 5)
• Free shipping when 5+ items from this category in cart

Step 4: Set Minimum Requirements

For Cart Value Type:

• Enter “Category Free Shipping Minimum (Cart Value)”
• Example: $25.00 = free shipping when cart total ≥ $25

For Cart Quantity Type:

• Enter “Category Free Shipping Minimum (Cart Quantity)”
• Example: 3 = free shipping when 3+ items from this category

Step 5: Configure Override Settings

Override Global Settings:

• Set to “Yes” if category rules should override global free shipping
• Set to “No” if global rules should take priority

Override Per-Product Settings:

• Set to “Yes” if category rules should override individual product shipping
• Set to “No” if product rules should take priority

Step 6: Save Settings

1. Click “Update” to save the category settings
2. Test by adding products from this category to your cart

Example Setups

Example 1: Electronics Category

• Enable: Yes
• Type: Cart Value
• Minimum: $100.00
• Override Global: Yes
• Override Products: Yes
• Result: Free shipping when cart has $100+ in electronics

Example 2: Books Category

• Enable: Yes
• Type: Cart Quantity
• Minimum: 3
• Override Global: No
• Override Products: No
• Result: Free shipping when 3+ books in cart

Example 3: Premium Category

• Enable: Yes
• Type: Cart Value
• Minimum: $75.00
• Override Global: Yes
• Override Products: Yes
• Result: Free shipping when cart has $75+ in premium items

Priority Order

1. Product Override All (highest priority)
2. Global Free Shipping (when override enabled)
3. Category Free Shipping (when override enabled)
4. Category Shipping Cost
5. Per-Product Shipping
6. Global Flat Rate
7. Default Shipping (lowest priority)

Troubleshooting

Free shipping not working:

• Check minimum requirements are met
• Verify category is assigned to products
• Clear cart and refresh page
• Check priority order (higher rules override lower ones)

Multiple shipping methods showing:

• Ensure only one rule applies
• Check override settings
• Clear cart and test again

Settings not saving:

• Make sure to click “Update” after changes
• Check for JavaScript errors
• Try refreshing the page

Quick Test

1. Add products from your category to cart
2. Check if minimum requirements are met
3. View cart to see shipping cost
4. If free shipping appears, setup is working!

Need Help?

For support with this plugin:

• Email: brad@wpsites.net