The WooCommerce checkout page typically shows all available shipping methods based on customer location, product weight, and shipping zones. But what if you want to hide certain shipping methods based on specific rules or scenarios? That’s where the WooCommerce Hide Shipping Method feature comes in.
This functionality allows you to control the visibility of shipping options based on product details, user roles, cart value, location, and more—ensuring a cleaner and more relevant checkout experience.
Why Hide Shipping Methods in WooCommerce?
Here are a few reasons store owners choose to hide shipping methods:
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Prevent customers from choosing an incorrect or costly shipping option
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Offer specific shipping methods only for certain products or regions
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Avoid confusion by showing only one relevant method at a time
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Customize shipping behavior for wholesale vs retail users
Common Scenarios for Hiding Shipping Methods
🚫 Hide Shipping Based on Product
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Example: Hide Free Shipping if cart contains heavy or bulky items
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Hide specific methods for perishable or restricted products
🌍 Hide Shipping by Country or Region
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Only show International Shipping when the customer is outside your country
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Hide methods unavailable for certain postal codes or states
💼 Hide Shipping for Specific User Roles
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Show Local Pickup only for logged-in wholesale users
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Hide Express Delivery for guest users
💳 Hide Shipping by Payment Method
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Only allow Cash on Delivery when using Standard Shipping
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Hide Express Delivery if the customer selects Bank Transfer
🛒 Hide Shipping Based on Cart Total or Weight
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Disable Free Shipping if cart subtotal is under $50
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Only show Freight Shipping for carts over 25kg
Key Features of a WooCommerce Hide Shipping Method Plugin
To implement advanced shipping logic, you’ll want a plugin that offers:
🧩 Condition-Based Rules
Use conditions like:
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Product/category/tag
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Shipping class
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Payment method
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Location (country, state, zip code)
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Cart total, weight, or quantity
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User role or logged-in status
📦 Shipping Class Control
Hide shipping based on WooCommerce shipping classes, ideal for mixed-product carts.
👥 User Role & Login Status Filters
Show/hide methods for:
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Guests vs registered users
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Wholesale, subscriber, or custom user roles
🛠️ Advanced Combinations
Set up layered rules like:
Hide Express Shipping if:
Cart has product from Category A
AND user is a guest
AND cart total is under $100
✅ Support for Popular Plugins
Works alongside:
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Table Rate Shipping plugins
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Multi-Vendor marketplaces
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Conditional payment method plugins
Benefits of Hiding Shipping Methods
✔️ Simplified Checkout Process
Reduce cognitive load by showing only the most relevant shipping methods.
✔️ Fewer Fulfillment Errors
When customers can't choose incompatible shipping options, your team receives cleaner, more accurate orders.
✔️ Targeted Shipping Offers
Run promotions like “Free Shipping Over $50” without customers seeing it before qualifying.
✔️ Regional Customization
Show country-specific shipping options to international buyers and local delivery options to domestic customers.
Use Cases by Business Type
🛍️ Retail Stores
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Offer Local Pickup only for shoppers within a specific radius
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Hide Express Shipping for fragile or special order items
🏭 Wholesale Businesses
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Restrict certain shipping methods for B2B buyers
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Use role-based logic to streamline checkout
🌎 International Sellers
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Display appropriate shipping methods by country or region
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Hide Flat Rate for unsupported international addresses
How to Hide Shipping Methods in WooCommerce
Step 1: Install a Hide Shipping Methods Plugin
Choose a plugin that supports flexible condition-based rules.
Step 2: Define Shipping Visibility Rules
Set up conditions using:
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Product details
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Cart value
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User role
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Location
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Payment method
Step 3: Test the Configuration
Simulate different carts to ensure the correct shipping methods appear under the right conditions.
Tips for Using Shipping Visibility Wisely
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Combine with conditional payments: Show/hide both shipping and payment methods together
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Use shipping classes for better targeting
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Label methods clearly so users understand what each method does
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Create fallback options in case a method is hidden unexpectedly
Final Thoughts
Using the WooCommerce Hide Shipping Method feature lets you fully control your store’s checkout flow, ensuring customers only see relevant shipping options. This leads to smoother transactions, better customer satisfaction, and fewer post-order adjustments.
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