Product Group Rate Behaviour

When a customer's cart contains products from multiple product groups, you can control how shipping rates are calculated and displayed at checkout. Note that this feature is only available when using app-based product groups.

Configuration

Navigate to Regions > Edit Region > Product Group Rate Behaviour to select your preferred calculation method.

Available Options

Sum (Default)

What it does: Adds together the lowest rate from each product group, plus the general rate if applicable.

Best for: Most merchants - ensures all product groups are accounted for in the shipping cost.

Example:

• General rate: "Normal Shipping" - $3
• Product Group A rate: "Normal Shipping" - $5
• Product Group B rate: "Normal Shipping" - $8

Customer sees: One rate option called "Normal Shipping" for $16

Highest

What it does: Returns only the single highest rate across all product groups.

Best for: When you want to charge the maximum shipping cost from any group, regardless of title.

Example:

• General rate: "Normal Shipping" - $3
• Product Group A rate: "Fast Shipping" - $7
• Product Group B rate: "Express Shipping" - $12

Customer sees: One rate option called "Express Shipping" for $12

Lowest

What it does: Returns only the single lowest rate across all product groups.

Best for: Offering the most competitive shipping price when multiple groups are involved.

Example:

• General rate: "Normal Shipping" - $3
• Product Group A rate: "Fast Shipping" - $7
• Product Group B rate: "Express Shipping" - $12

Customer sees: One rate option called "Normal Shipping" for $3

Highest Unique

What it does: For each shipping option that appears across all product groups, returns the highest price for that option.

Best for: When you want to offer multiple shipping speeds but charge the highest price for each speed.

Example:

• Product Group A rates: "Normal Shipping" ($5), "Fast Shipping" ($7)
• Product Group B rates: "Normal Shipping" ($8), "Fast Shipping" ($12)
• General rates: "Normal Shipping" ($3), "Fast Shipping" ($5)

Customer sees: Two rate options:

• "Normal Shipping" for $8 (highest of $3, $5, $8)
• "Fast Shipping" for $12 (highest of $5, $7, $12)

Lowest Unique

What it does: For each shipping option that appears across all product groups, returns the lowest price for that option.

Best for: When you want to offer multiple shipping speeds at the most competitive price for each speed.

Example:

• Product Group A rates: "Normal Shipping" (5), "Fast Shipping" (7)
• Product Group B rates: "Normal Shipping" (8), "Fast Shipping" (12)
• General rates: "Normal Shipping" (3), "Fast Shipping" (5)

Customer sees: Two rate options:

• "Normal Shipping" for $3 (lowest of $3, $5, $8)
• "Fast Shipping" for $5 (lowest of $5, $7, $12)

Important Notes

When Rate Titles Don't Match

For Highest Unique and Lowest Unique to work, you need shipping options with the same title across all your product groups.

If rate titles don't match (e.g., Product Group A has "Standard" but Product Group B has "Regular"), the system will automatically fall back to the Sum behaviour and return a single "Shipping" rate.

Backwards Compatibility

Existing regions will continue using Sum behaviour unless you actively change the setting. This ensures no disruption to your current shipping configuration.

Product Groups Feature Required

This setting only applies when the Product Groups feature is enabled for your store. Without product groups, this setting has no effect.

Common Use Cases

Need Help?

If you're unsure which option is right for your business, contact our support team and we'll help you configure the best setup for your needs.

Updated on: 03/12/2025