One of the biggest issues for WooCommerce owners is controlling the availability of shipping options when they check out. Some products cannot be shipped using every option available. Certain products may require specialized handling, and heavy items may require freight shipping. Wholesale customers, on the other hand, might have access to discounted or free shipping options that are not available to retail customers.
This is where the smartness of shipping logic comes in as well. The Hide Shipping Methods based on WooCommerce’s Conditions plugin gives you complete control over which shipping options show up and when.
We’ll guide you through how to conceal WooCommerce shipping methods based on the type of product, weight, and user roles. We’ll also discuss how this simple method can simplify your checkout process and reduce cart abandonment and make your customers happy.
Why Hiding Shipping Methods Matters in WooCommerce
As a default feature, WooCommerce displays all enabled shipping methods, regardless of the items in the cart or the person who is shopping. This method is suitable in small shops, but when you ramp up or manage different types of merchandise and customers, things could quickly become messy.
This is why hiding non-essential shipping methods is essential:
- Improves user experience: By displaying only the information that is most important to the user.
- Reduces cart abandonment: Prevent confusion or arouse customers.
- Avoid shipping mistakes: Make sure to use the correct delivery method for large or fragile goods.
- Custom pricing rules are supported. Give special rates for wholesalers or members.
With the correct plugin, you can show or cover shipping methods using various rules without having to touch one line of code.
Meet the Plugin: Hide Shipping Method for WooCommerce
This Hide Shipping Method for WooCommerce plugin lets you use rules that are based on logic to control the transparency of the shipping methods you offer. It doesn’t matter if it’s based on particular items, subtotal values, shipping class, or user roles; you’ll be able to create powerful rules with only two clicks.
Key Features of the Plugin:
- Show shipping details by product or category. class
- Hide based on order subtotal or weight of order
- Shipping methods that you want to use through state, country, or postal code
- Use shipping options that are restricted based on the user’s position
- Create rules that handle complicated shipping logic
- Block third-party shipping options such as FedEx, DHL, or UPS
- A simple admin interface for rule-making and administration
Step-by-Step: How to Hide Shipping Methods Based on Conditions
Let’s look at how you can use this plugin to conceal shipping methods based upon three basic circumstances: the weight of the product and the roles of the user.
1. Hiding Shipping Methods Based on Products
Certain items, like electronics, furniture, or other fragile items, might require a special shipping service that is different from the other items in your catalog.
How to Set It Up:
- Install and then activate the plugin and then activate it.
- Visit WooCommerce and then Shipping Rules within your administrator dashboard.
- Click on Add New Shipping Rule.
- Make a rule with a name (e.g., “Hide Standard Shipping for Furniture”).
- Make the rule active.
- Under the heading If Cart contains, select the particular product or category.
- Choose which shipping options to conceal (e.g., “Flat Rate”, “Free Shipping”).
- Make sure you follow the rules.
For instance, if a client decides to add the large sofa in their cart, it’s possible to delete “Free Shipping” and only display “Freight Shipping” or “Local Pickup.”
This ensures that your customers are offered the correct delivery options and will prevent any errors in processing or expense on your part.
2. Hiding Shipping Methods Based on Order Weight
If you’re selling bulky or heavy items, the method of shipping must correspond to your weight requirements. Small packets and a treadmill will not have the same shipping options.
How to Configure:
- In the new shipping policy, scroll down to the Order Weight field.
- Set a minimum or maximum weight limit.
- Choose the method you want to hide in the event that the cart is within this range.
- Make sure you follow the rules.
Example: If the total order weight is greater than 20kg, you may choose to conceal “Standard Shipping” and only provide “Heavy Freight.”
This feature provides you with the ability to modify your shipping process in accordance with the dimensions of your product and shipping policies.
3. Hiding Shipping Based on User Roles
In numerous WooCommerce stores, particularly B2B or wholesale stores, you may want to offer discounted or exclusive shipping options for specific customers with specific positions.
How to Apply:
- Edit or create an existing rule.
- Scroll down to the User Role section.
- Select the job (e.g., “Wholesaler”, “Retailer”, “Subscriber”) you’d like the rules to apply to.
- Choose which methods you want to hide or display to these users.
Example: You can block “Free Shipping” from guests and show it only to those who have logged in with the “VIP Member” role.
This allows for customized shopping experiences that let you develop loyalty with certain customers.
Additional Rule Conditions You Can Combine
The plugin isn’t limited to weights, products, and the user’s roles. It allows you to combine different conditions into one rule to ensure greater precision.
A few of the more advanced conditions are:
- Shipping Class: Use the rules on perishable and fragile items.
- Order Subtotal: Cover or display shipping options based on the minimum purchase specifications.
- Local Filters: Rules for targeting by state, country, or even certain ZIP codes.
- Third-party Methods: Use rules to conceal shipping costs from plugins such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL.
Real-World Use Cases for Hiding Shipping Methods
Example 1: Prevent Free Shipping for Heavy Items
If the cart weighs more than 30 kg, you can hide shipping free and only display freight options.
Example 2: Hide Express Delivery for Fragile Products
If you are purchasing items with a “fragile” shipping class, remove express shipping to ensure more secure handling.
Example 3: Wholesale-Only Shipping Options
Show the standard shipping option to the “wholesaler” user role and provide bulk-rate courier services instead.
Example 4: Location-Based Shipping Restriction
Be able to restrict shipping methods for customers in remote areas with postal codes.
Easy Setup: Installation & Configuration
Installing the Hide Shipping Method for WooCommerce is easy and simple.
Installation Steps:
- The plugin zip file can be downloaded from the account of your WooCommerce account.
- Go to WordPress Admin > Plugins > Add New.
- Select the Upload plugin, select the file, and then install it.
- You must activate the plugin.
Configuration Steps:
- Navigate to WooCommerce > Shipping Rules
- Click Add New Shipping Rule
- Select shipping methods that will be hidden
- Save your rule, and make it public
You can make endless rules with their guidelines to regulate the transparency of the shipping method.
Final Thoughts
The management of your WooCommerce shipping options isn’t a hassle. Utilizing the Hide Shipping Method for WooCommerce plugin, you can build an easier, quicker, and more personalized customer checkout experience for them.
If you want to conceal shipping methods for fragile goods, such as heavy orders or based on the role of your customers, this plugin will make it simple using a robust rule-based system.
By providing only the relevant choices, you’ll not only enhance customer satisfaction but also decrease problems with fulfillment and reduce manual order management.
Author Bio: 
Isolde Voss is an experienced content writer with 8 years of expertise in digital marketing and WooCommerce plugins. I focus on creating SEO-optimized content that helps eCommerce businesses boost visibility and sales. At present, I’m part of the Extendons team, where I work alongside developers and designers to deliver effective, user-friendly plugin solutions.
