Our terminology explained

It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with our terminology so you know your 'Regions' from your 'Shipping Zones', and where our terminology overlaps with Shopify.

Once you have a clear understanding of the terms we use, the Postcode Shipping app is not as complex as it might first appear and you'll be empowered to use the app to its full potential.

It's important to know that there is some crossover in language between Shopify and our app. We've made sure to cover those in this article.

Postcode Shipping Terms

Shipping Zone:

A Shipping Zone is a grouping of one or more countries or regions that you wish to provide Rates for.
You can construct your Shipping Zones with a name and combination of countries/regions that work best for you.

Examples of Shipping Zones you could create'Australia' - includes just Australia.'Asia Pacific' - includes Australia, NZ, the Pacific Islands, and South East Asian countries.'North America' - includes Canada and the US.'Europe' - includes all European countries.

Shipping Zones can contain one or more Regions.

ⓘ Shopify also uses the term 'Shipping Zone'. While similar, Shipping Zones in Postcode Shipping function separately to Shipping Zones in your Shopify admin. This means you'll have to set up Shipping zones in both places. Find out more here.

Region:
A Region is a more specific area within a country in a Shipping Zone. The area is defined by the postcodes you choose.
You can construct your Regions with a name and combination of postcodes that work best for you.

Examples of Regions'Sydney CBD' - includes postcodes that make up Sydney's central business district.'Local' - includes postcodes that make up your local area.'Northern Ireland' - a Region could be a whole country if it sits in a Shipping Zone made up of multiple countries.'Rest of County' - a Region could be a 'catch all' that includes all postcodes not included in your other Regions.

Regions can have one or more Rates applied to them.

Rate:
A Rate is a price that a customer will pay for shipping and is associated with a single Region.
You can create your Rates with a name and cost that work best for you.

Types of RatesFlat rateWeight based ratePercentage based rateQuantity based rateFree shipping

Rates can have Rate Rules and/or Rate Modifiers applied.

Shopify Terms

Shipping Profile:
Shipping Profiles are groups of Products & shipping Rates. By default, new products are put in the 'General profile', this means that new products will have the Rates linked to the 'General profile' applied to them by default.

Shipping Zone:
Shopify also uses the term Shipping Zone. It's important to note that creating a Shipping Zone in Postcode Shipping doesn't automatically create that Shipping Zone in Shopify, and vice versa. After you have set up your Shipping Zones in Postcode Shipping you will need to set up the same Shipping Zones in Shopify as well and enable Postcode Shipping as the rate provider.

Shipping Rate:
Shopify also uses the term Rate (or Shipping Rate). You will setup your Rates in the Postcode Shipping app instead of your Shopify admin. You will, however, need to enable Postcode Shipping as the rate provider in your Shopify shipping settings.

Finding your way around

When you're first starting out you might get confused between the Postcode Shipping app and your Shopify admin.

My Shopify Admin

If you're looking at your Shopify dashboard, adding new products, looking at your orders, or accessing your store settings you are in your Shopify admin. You'll know because:

you'll always see the Shopify bag logo up in the top left, with your store name next to it.

the Shopify navigation on the left will always be showing.

your account name will display at the top right.

the browser tab displays the green Shopify bag icon.

You can access the dashboard of your Shopify admin by entering your myshopify.com domain. For example: your-shop-name.myshopify.com

Postcode Shipping App

If you're defining Zones/Regions you ship to by creating Shipping Zones and Regions, and applying Rates, you need to be in the Postcode Shipping app. You can see when you're in our app because uur app name 'Postcode Shipping' displays in the top left.

To access the Postcode app visit: https://app.postcodeshipping.com/

Now you know the differences between the Postcode Shipping app interface and your Shopify store admin, next time you are having trouble first check if you are in the right place!

We highly recommend you read our article ** Setting up the basics: Shipping Zones, Regions, Rates ** next, and put what you've just learned in to practice.

Updated on: 24/02/2025

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