How can I set up different package sizes for shipping calculations?

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

Shopify merchants are frustrated by the platform’s inability to calculate shipping costs based on different package sizes. The system only allows one default package size for all orders, leading to either overcharging customers on small items or losing money on larger products.

Core Issue:

  • Merchants with varied product sizes cannot assign different box dimensions to individual products
  • Shipping calculations use a single default package, causing significant cost discrepancies
  • Some report losing money on large items or overcharging customers by hundreds of percent

Shopify’s Response:

  • Official support recommends third-party apps like Boxify ($30+/month)
  • Advanced Shopify plan ($299/month) required for third-party carrier calculations
  • No native solution provided despite requests dating back to 2006

Community Reaction:

  • Multiple users express disbelief that this basic functionality requires paid add-ons
  • Comparisons made to other platforms (GoDaddy, WooCommerce) that include this feature by default
  • Many threaten to switch platforms due to accumulating app costs
  • Speculation that Shopify profits from app fees, disincentivizing native development

Workarounds Attempted:

  • Setting mid-range default boxes and absorbing some losses
  • Offering free shipping on larger items with increased product prices
  • Manual refunds after calculating actual shipping costs
  • Using weighted averages and dimensional weights

Status: Unresolved. No timeline provided for native implementation despite years of requests.

Summarized with AI on October 27. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
2

Hey, @eharrington5

You are correct! The default package size in Shopify is going to be used in all calculated shipping rates at checkout for your customers. In the case you have a variety of packaging sizing, I recommend using a third-party app to accomplish this. An app called Boxify will allow you to show rates that match how an order is actually shipped, whatever is in the cart, whatever the size of the box or boxes required. They also offer a 15-day free trial to see if it’s a good fit for our store!

I hope that helps. With that said, are you planning on setting up flat shipping costs or calculated shipping costs?