Managing shipping options efficiently is crucial for any WooCommerce store. Sometimes, you may need to hide certain shipping methods based on specific conditions, such as order total, product type, customer location, or payment method.
The WooCommerce Hide Shipping Method feature allows store owners to control which shipping options appear at checkout. This helps streamline the checkout process, avoid confusion, and provide a better user experience.
Why Hide Shipping Methods in WooCommerce?
There are multiple reasons to disable or hide certain shipping methods:
✅ Avoid Confusion – Customers see only the most relevant shipping options.
✅ Encourage Free Shipping – Hide paid shipping when free shipping is available.
✅ Restrict Shipping by Location – Prevent specific regions from selecting unwanted methods.
✅ Limit Shipping by Product Type – Ensure fragile or restricted items have special shipping.
✅ Improve Checkout Process – A clean checkout experience reduces cart abandonment.
How to Hide Shipping Methods in WooCommerce
WooCommerce does not provide an option to hide shipping methods by default. However, you can achieve this using plugins or custom code.
Method 1: Using a WooCommerce Plugin
The easiest way to hide shipping methods is by using a plugin. Some top-rated plugins include:
✔ WooCommerce Hide Shipping Methods – Hide shipping options based on various rules.
✔ Conditional Shipping and Payments – Restrict shipping based on product categories, order totals, or user roles.
✔ Advanced Shipping Rules for WooCommerce – Offers detailed control over shipping visibility.
Steps to Hide Shipping with a Plugin:
1️⃣ Install & Activate the Plugin
- Go to Plugins → Add New in WordPress.
- Search for WooCommerce Hide Shipping Methods and click Install Now.
- Activate the plugin.
2️⃣ Set Up Shipping Rules
- Navigate to WooCommerce → Settings → Shipping.
- Configure conditions like:
- Hide specific methods for certain order totals.
- Disable shipping for certain zip codes.
- Hide shipping when free shipping is available.
3️⃣ Save & Test Checkout
- Ensure the correct shipping methods appear based on the conditions set.
Method 2: Using Custom Code (For Developers)
If you prefer a code-based approach, you can hide shipping methods using PHP.
Example: Hide All Shipping Methods When Free Shipping is Available
phpCopyEditadd_filter('woocommerce_package_rates', 'hide_shipping_when_free_available', 100, 2);
function hide_shipping_when_free_available($rates, $package) {
if (isset($rates['free_shipping'])) {
foreach ($rates as $rate_key => $rate) {
if ('free_shipping' !== $rate_key) {
unset($rates[$rate_key]);
}
}
}
return $rates;
}
✅ How it works:
- If free shipping is available, all other shipping options are hidden.
- Customers only see the free shipping option.
Common Scenarios for Hiding Shipping Methods
1. Hide Shipping Based on Cart Total
- If an order exceeds a certain value, only free shipping is available.
- Example: Orders above $100 get free shipping, so disable other options.
2. Hide Shipping for Certain Locations
- Restrict shipping to specific states, cities, or zip codes.
- Example: Hide express shipping for remote locations.
3. Hide Shipping Based on Product Category
- Some products require special shipping (e.g., perishable items).
- Example: Hide standard shipping for fragile or oversized products.
4. Hide Shipping for Specific User Roles
- Offer exclusive shipping options for wholesalers or VIP customers.
- Example: Wholesale customers see different shipping methods than retail buyers.
5. Hide Shipping Based on Payment Method
- Some shipping options may be unavailable for cash on delivery (COD).
- Example: If COD is selected, hide express shipping.
Benefits of Hiding WooCommerce Shipping Methods
✅ Improved Checkout Experience – Fewer options reduce confusion for customers.
✅ Better Cost Control – Ensure customers use the most cost-effective shipping method.
✅ Enhanced Customer Satisfaction – Show only relevant shipping options to each customer.
✅ Encourage Specific Shipping Choices – Direct customers towards preferred delivery methods.
Best Practices for Managing Shipping Methods
✔ Test Before Going Live – Check that the correct methods appear for different scenarios.
✔ Use Clear Messaging – Let customers know why certain shipping options are unavailable.
✔ Combine with Other Plugins – Use shipping restrictions alongside discounts or custom pricing.
✔ Regularly Update Rules – Adjust settings based on seasonal promotions or product availability.
Final Thoughts
The WooCommerce Hide Shipping Method feature helps store owners provide a cleaner, more streamlined checkout experience. Whether you want to hide shipping methods based on cart total, location, product type, or payment method, using a plugin or custom code makes it easy to customize shipping options.
