How to Remove Free Shipping in WooCommerce? Two Methods

To remove free shipping in WooCommerce, go to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping, then click the Shipping Zones tab. Select the zone to modify, find Free Shipping in the list, click Edit, uncheck the Enabled option, and save the changes.

Free shipping can be a great incentive for customers, but sometimes you may need to remove it from your WooCommerce store for various reasons. Perhaps you’re running a promotion, updating shipping policies, or just want to adjust your shipping settings. 

Whatever the reason, this guide will walk you through how to remove free shipping in WooCommerce effectively in two different and easy ways. 

• Method 1: Using WooCommerce Built-In Settings
• Method 2: Code-Based Free Shipping Removal in WooCommerce

Let’s go! 

Why You Might Want to Remove Free Shipping in WooCommerce

Free shipping is a powerful tool that can drive more sales and encourage customers to complete their purchases. However, there may be instances when it’s necessary to remove or adjust it. Here are some common reasons for disabling free shipping:

• Changing Shipping Policies: Your business will grow day by day. So, you might need to update your shipping rules to reflect new shipping rates or regions.

• Cost Management: Free shipping can eat into your profit margins. If you need to reduce costs, removing or limiting free shipping can be a smart move.

• Promotions or Sales Events: You may want to offer free shipping during certain times (like a holiday sale) and remove it during regular periods.

• Geographic Restrictions: If you are limiting shipping to certain regions, it makes sense to disable free shipping for zones where it no longer applies.

Understanding WooCommerce Shipping Settings

Before we dive into the steps, it’s essential to understand the structure of WooCommerce shipping settings. 

Shipping Zones	These are geographic regions that define where you offer shipping.
Shipping Methods	These define the types of shipping available for each zone, including flat rate, free shipping, and more.
Shipping Classes	These help you define shipping costs based on the type of products (like heavy items or small products).

How to Remove Free Shipping in WooCommerce

You can remove the free shipping in 2 different ways. They are easy, straightforward and can be done quickly.  Have a look. 

Method 1: Using WooCommerce Built-In Settings

The easiest way to remove free shipping in WooCommerce is by using the WooCommerce built-in settings. Here are the 3 simple steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Access WooCommerce Shipping Settings

Go to the WordPress Admin Dashboard. Now, from the sidebar, click on WooCommerce > Settings. Then, navigate to the Shipping tab.

Step 2: Edit Shipping Zones

Down below in the Shipping Zones section, you’ll see a list of regions you’ve defined for your store. Find the zone where free shipping is enabled and click on Edit.

Step 3: Remove Free Shipping Method

Once you’re inside the Shipping Zone settings, you’ll see a list of shipping methods, including Free Shipping. If free shipping is enabled for that zone, it will appear in the list. Just toggle the enable option and disable it. 

It is all done. Just click on “Save Changes” and it will be removed. 

Method 2: Code-Based Free Shipping Removal in WooCommerce

Another simple way to properly remove the free shipping is by using custom codes. Now, don’t get scared just by hearing about codes. It contains 5 easy steps and you can do it in just a couple of minutes. Have a look. 

1. First, from your WordPress Dashboard go to Appearance.

2.  Click on Theme File Editor. 

3. Now, from the right-hand side open the functions.php file of your active theme.

4. Worried about the code? Well, don’t be. Just copy and paste the code snippet at the bottom of the file.

add_filter( 'woocommerce_package_rates', 'hide_free_shipping_conditionally', 100 );

function hide_free_shipping_conditionally( $rates ) {

 $free = array();

 foreach ( $rates as $rate_id => $rate ) {

 if ( 'free_shipping' === $rate->method_id ) {

 $free[ $rate_id ] = $rate;

 break;

 }

 }

 return !empty( $free ) ? array_diff_key( $rates, $free ) : $rates;

}

5. Once you’ve added the code, click the Update File button at the bottom of the page. Here’s how the overall process would look. 

Troubleshooting Tips for Removing Free Shipping in WooCommerce

Sometimes, despite following all the steps, you might still see free shipping on your checkout page. Here are some things to check:

• Clear your cache: Your store might be displaying cached data, so make sure to clear your website cache after making changes.

• Check for conflicting plugins: Some plugins may override your WooCommerce shipping settings. Disable any conflicting plugins to see if that resolves the issue.

• Double-check shipping zone settings: Ensure that free shipping has been completely removed from all applicable zones.

• Test Multiple Scenarios: Simulate checkout processes for different products, regions, and cart values to confirm that free shipping has been removed across all configurations.
  
• Inspect Custom Code: If you’ve added custom code to remove free shipping, verify that the syntax is correct and doesn’t conflict with other functions in your theme.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Final Thought 

Removing free shipping in WooCommerce is a straightforward process that involves adjusting your shipping zones, shipping methods, and product settings. 

Hopefully, you found the steps easy and beginner-friendly. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can efficiently remove free shipping from your WooCommerce store and ensure that your shipping policies align with your business goals. 

Don’t forget to check for any plugin conflicts or cached data that could interfere with your changes. That’s it for today. Enjoy your WooCommerce journey!