Purpose: Discover how to use your Checkout Rules in combination with the Checkout API, a dynamic feature that allows you to gain control over your checkout process.
What are the Checkout rules?
Checkout rules work similarly to shipping rules and return rules - they are predefined actions that will automatically apply to your checkout.
The Checkout rules work in combination with the Checkout API. This means that your Dynamic Checkout needs to be configured to be able to use the Checkout rules. See the Dynamic Checkout guide.
Why use Checkout rules?
- Improve customer satisfaction by streamlining your checkout process.
- Display relevant delivery methods.
- Enjoy greater flexibility and control over your checkout page.
Set up your Checkout rules
Create a New Checkout Rule
- Log in to your Sendcloud account.
- Navigate to Settings > Checkout Rules.
- Click on Create New Rule to start defining your conditions.
- Enter a Name for the rule.
- Choose an IF condition (e.g., Postal code, Parcel weight).
- Select an Operator (e.g., Is, Less than, Greater than).
- Enter a Value (e.g., Postal code 12345).
- Choose the Action (e.g., Hide delivery method with Carrier X).
- Click Save Checkout Rule.
Apply the Rule to a Delivery Method
- Navigate to Settings > Dynamic Checkout at the top of your screen.
- Click on the Delivery Method you want to modify.
- Scroll down to the Checkout Rules section.
- Select the rule(s) you created and apply them to the delivery method.
- Click Save Changes.
Publish Your Configuration
- After applying your rules, go back to the Dynamic Checkout page.
- Click Publish Configuration to activate the rules.
- Changes can take up to 15 minutes to be reflected in your store.
Editing or Deleting Rules
- If you need to remove a rule, go to Settings > Checkout Rules, find the rule, and delete it.
- When a rule is deleted, it will be automatically removed from all delivery methods where it was applied.
- If you want to Edit a rule, navigate to Settings > Checkout Rules.
- Find the rule you want to edit and click Edit.
- Modify the Condition, Operator, Value, or Action as needed.
- Click Save Changes.
- (Optional) If this rule is applied to a published delivery method, go to Dynamic Checkout and re-Publish Configuration to ensure updates take effect.
Our Checkout rules
The Checkout rules feature aims to be used to enhance your checkout page and process. Below are all the Checkout rules you can create.
| Conditions: | Determinations: | Explanation: |
| Postal code |
Contains/Does not contain/Ends with/Is/Is not/Starts with/Pattern match |
Use it for showing or hiding delivery methods based on the postal code of the destination of the parcel |
| Parcel dimensions rules (parcel length, parcel width, parcel heigh) |
Contains/Does not contain/Ends with/Is/Is not/Starts with/Pattern match |
Use it for filtering mailbox sizes etc. Merchant to calculate and provide the box sizes in the checkout. This applies to total order, not individual item dimension checks. |
| Parcel width | Is/Is not/Less than/Greater than/Greater or equal than/Less or equal than | Helps control delivery methods by filtering based on parcel width. |
| Parcel height | Is/Is not/Less than/Greater than/Greater or equal than/Less or equal than | Helps merchants filter out oversized parcels from certain delivery methods. |
| Weight (grams) | Is/Is not/Less than/Greater than/Greater or equal than/Less or equal than | Useful for restricting shipping options based on parcel weight. |
| Total order value | Is/Is not/Less than/Greater than/Greater or equal than/Less or equal than | Helps set delivery rules based on order value (e.g., free shipping for orders above a threshold). |
| Checkout metadata | Is/Is not/Contains/Does not contain/Starts with/Ends with/Pattern match/In/Not in | Allows merchants to create rules based on metadata values from the checkout process. |
Examples of Checkout rules
Show or hide delivery methods based on postal code rules
IF "Postal code" IS "X" THEN "Hide delivery method" X
IF "Postal code" IS "X" THEN "Show delivery method" X
If you have a lot of delivery options, including standard, express, same-day delivery and more, with your Checkout rules, you can ensure that your customers only see the options relevant to their situation. For example, if a customer's address is close to your store, you can only display the cost effective delivery option, reducing their shipping costs and encouraging a purchase.
IF "Postal code" PATTERN MATCH "[AB,PA,FK,KA,HS,IV,KW,ZE]" THEN "Hide delivery method" X
This rule can be used to hide certain methods from Scottish Highlands remote areas for example. Learn more about pattern matching.
Show or hide delivery methods based on parcel dimensions
IF "Parcel length” GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 100, AND "Parcel width” GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 50, AND "Parcel height” GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 20, THEN "Hide delivery method" X, Y, Z
For example, you can use this checkout rule to only show some delivery methods when the parcel is letterbox size.
Related articles:
→ Dynamic Checkout: Setup & Configuration Guide
→ How to add Dynamic Checkout rates