For example, a retailer may offer a flat rate of $10 for all orders under $100, but charge $25 for orders over $100, even though the item to be shipped is quite small. This type of shipping is convenient for customers because they know exactly how much they will be spending on shipping, and they don't have to worry about calculating the cost each time they make a purchase.Įven though flat-rate shipping can be cheaper than other methods, it can also be more expensive than other options, especially when shipping oversized options.Ĭustomers may not get the best deal on large or bulky items. The price is the price, and it's always the same, regardless of the size or weight of the package.įlat-rate shipping can be cheaper than other types of shipping, especially when you're sending multiple items at once. There are no hidden fees or surprises with flat-rate shipping. Pros & Cons of Flat-Rate Shippingįlat-rate shipping has some pros and cons that should be taken into consideration. Thinking about launching an e-commerce store, but aren’t sure which platform to use? If so, check out our Wix vs. Additionally, not all retailers offer flat-rate shipping. For example, not all items can be shipped using this method as they might be outside the allowed dimensions. There are some restrictions on flat-rate shipping. The retailer then pays a discounted rate to ship the items using a carrier like UPS or FedEx.

This fee may be based on the weight of the order, the size of the package, or both. Typically, the customer is charged one flat fee for shipping, determined by the retailer. Since flat-rate shipping doesn't change, it makes it easier for customers to know what they will be paying for shipping, often leading to savings on larger orders. This is a popular shipping option for online retailers as it eliminates the need to calculate shipping costs for each individual order. Flat-rate shipping is a shipping option that allows customers to pay a fixed price for shipping, regardless of the weight or size of the package.

What is a flat rate for shipping?