✅ How to Set up Shipping for Subscription Products on Shopify using Ongoing
Tutorial on how to create special shipping rates for subscription products
Written by Adriana Giancarla
Updated Nov 5, 2026 2 min read
Please only use this feature if you want different shipping rates for ONLY subscription products (different than what you currently offer for one-time purchases).
EXAMPLE: You want to offer FREE SHIPPING OR a special Flat Rate for only subscription products.
Otherwise, no action is needed. Shopify will use your regular shipping rates for subscription products, so you're all set!
In this example, I am creating free shipping for all USA orders, but you can create your own shipping rates specific to your needs.
Known Shopify Limitations:
Shopify defaults to the cheapest shipping rate for subscription products
Shopify only displays one shipping option for subscription products
CREATE SHIPPING RATES WITH ONGOING
From Ongoing, click on Settings, then click Shipping a
nd Delivery
Click Create Delivery Profile
Name your delivery profile (or leave as is)
Click Select Groups
Select a subscription group & click save Changes. All products in the subscription group will have this shipping and delivery profile.
Click Save Changes
Click Manage Rates
Click Add Rates
Click Save
Click Create Shipping zone
Create your shipping zone and click Save
Click Add Rate
Create your rate and click Done
Click Save
PRO TIPS:
Test it out and ensure it works correctly before going live with subscriptions. Pretend you're a customer shopping on your site, add a subscription product to the cart, and checkout. to see what shipping rates Shopify displays.
You can try adding a one-time purchase to the cart along with the subscription product to see what shipping rates Shopify displays now.
Lastly, you can place a test order to see the entire subscription flow (optional).
To add international shipping rates, click "create shipping zone" and then "add a rate".
If an international customer tries to buy the product, and you don't have shipping rates set up expressly for that country, Shopify will say not available for purchase.
STEP-BY-STEP PHOTOS SHOWING HOW TO SET THIS UP
Related Article:
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- Understanding the Error: "Inventory Allocations Not Found" Failed to create order. No inventory location found or enabled."
- Understanding the "Insufficient Inventory" Error
- Add Order Tag to Shipping Label
- How to add order number to a packing slip
- Can a customer change or edit their delivery date for a subscription order?
- How to Disable a Shipping & Delivery Profile created in Ongoing
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