How to Set Up Shipping Settings

How to Set Up Shipping Settings

Complete Shipping Configuration Guide for Electrical Equipment Sellers

Shipping configuration is an important part of your Electrical Trader seller account setup. However, for most electrical equipment sellers, the shipping settings can be kept minimal or disabled since buyers typically arrange their own freight for heavy industrial equipment like transformers, switchgear, circuit breakers, and generators.

This guide walks you through the complete shipping configuration process, explains when to use these settings, and provides recommendations specific to electrical equipment sellers.

Who This Is For

This guide is for Electrical Trader sellers who want to:

  • Understand the shipping configuration system
  • Set up shipping ranges and rates (if applicable)
  • Configure country-specific shipping options
  • Learn when shipping settings apply to heavy equipment
  • Decide whether to enable or disable marketplace shipping

Important: Do You Need to Configure Shipping?

When to SKIP Shipping Configuration

Most electrical equipment sellers can skip detailed shipping setup because:

  • Heavy equipment requires custom freight quotes - Transformers, switchgear, generators are oversized/overweight
  • Standard shipping rates don't apply - Each shipment needs individual freight coordination
  • Buyers typically arrange their own transportation - Industrial buyers have freight brokers
  • Equipment requires specialized rigging - Local pickup is common
  • Keep "Marketplace Shipping Configuration" DISABLED - This is the recommended setting for heavy equipment

When to CONFIGURE Shipping

You should set up shipping if you sell:

  • Small components and parts - Circuit breakers under 100 lbs, relays and controls, instruments and accessories
  • Items that can ship via standard freight - Standardized packages with predictable shipping costs
  • Multiple identical items - Weight-based rate structure works

1Access Shipping Configuration

Navigate to Configuration > Shipping Methods

Click the three-dot menu (•••) in the ACTION column to see options:

Menu Options:

  • 👁 View Shipping - View current shipping details and countries
  • 📊 Range Detail - View/manage shipping ranges
  • ✓ SET AS DEFAULT - Make this the default shipping method
  • 🚫 Disable - Turn off this shipping method

2View Current Shipping Details

Click "View Shipping" from the action menu

Note: Both steps must be completed for shipping to work.

3Set Up Shipping Ranges

Access Shipping Range Configuration

From "View Shipping" page, click "Click here to add ranges" (Step:01)

Or from main Shipping Configuration page, select "Range Detail" from action menu

Create a New Shipping Range

Click "ADD NEW RANGE" button

Range Options

Based on Price:

  • Shipping cost determined by order value
  • Example: Orders $100-$1,000 = one rate
  • Good for low-value items where shipping correlates with price

Based on Weight:

  • Shipping cost determined by product weight
  • Example: Items 1-50 lbs = one rate
  • Better for items with consistent size/weight relationship

Setting Up Ranges

For Electrical Components (if applicable):

Price-Based Example:

  • Range 1: $100.00 - $500.00
  • Range 2: $500.01 - $2,000.00
  • Range 3: $2,000.01 - $10,000.00

Weight-Based Example:

  • Range 1: 1 lb - 50 lb
  • Range 2: 51 lb - 200 lb
  • Range 3: 201 lb - 500 lb

Important Notes:

  • Set at least one range (required for shipping to work)
  • Can create up to 8 ranges (recommended: no more than 5)
  • Ranges should not overlap
  • Upper limit of one range = lower limit of next range

4Add Countries and Set Rates

Access Country Configuration

From "View Shipping" page, click "Click here to add country wise rates" (Step:02)

United States - State-by-State Configuration

When United States is selected, you'll see all 50+ states listed individually. This allows state-specific shipping rates.

Understanding the Fields

Shipping Cost (in $):

  • The cost charged to buyer for this range
  • Example: $0.00 = Free shipping
  • Example: $50.00 = Flat $50 shipping fee

Shipping Days:

  • Time for you to prepare and ship
  • "D" = Days
  • Example: 2 D = ships within 2 business days

Delivery Days:

  • Transit time after shipment
  • "D" = Days
  • Example: 5 D = delivers in 5 business days
  • Total time to buyer = Shipping Days + Delivery Days

Status Toggle:

  • ON = Shipping available
  • OFF = Shipping not available

5Review Your Configuration

After adding countries, return to "View Shipping" page

Recommended Setup for Electrical Equipment Sellers

Option 1: Keep Shipping DISABLED (Recommended)

This is the best option for most electrical equipment sellers.

Steps:

  1. Navigate to Configuration > Marketplace Shipping Configuration
  2. Keep toggle OFF (disabled)
  3. Click SAVE

Result:

  • No shipping calculations on checkout
  • Buyers contact you directly for freight quotes
  • You coordinate shipping separately
  • Flexible for oversized/overweight equipment

When selling:

  • In product description, state: "Buyer arranges shipping" or "Freight quote available upon request"
  • Provide equipment location (city, state)
  • Offer to assist with freight coordination

Option 2: Simple Flat Rate for Small Items

Use this if you sell smaller components that CAN ship via standard freight.

Setup:

1. Create ONE shipping range:

  • Based on: Weight
  • From: 1 lb
  • To: 500 lb

2. Add United States:

  • For all states: $0.00 (free shipping, buyer arranges)
  • OR set flat rate: $75.00 per shipment
  • Shipping Days: 3 D
  • Delivery Days: 5 D
  • Enable all states where you ship

This works for:

  • Circuit breakers under 100 lbs
  • Small motor controls
  • Instruments and relays
  • Accessories and parts

Option 3: Multiple Ranges (Advanced)

Only use if you ship many standardized items.

Example setup:

Ranges:

  1. 1 lb - 50 lb
  2. 51 lb - 150 lb
  3. 151 lb - 500 lb

United States rates (per range):

  • Range 1: $35 shipping, 2D ship, 3-5D delivery
  • Range 2: $75 shipping, 2D ship, 5-7D delivery
  • Range 3: $150 shipping, 3D ship, 7-10D delivery

Enable states where you ship most frequently

Important Notes and Best Practices

For Heavy Equipment (Transformers, Switchgear, Generators)

DO:

  • Keep marketplace shipping DISABLED
  • State clearly in product description: "Buyer arranges freight"
  • Provide equipment dimensions and weight
  • Offer to assist with freight broker coordination
  • Include equipment location (city, state) in listing
  • Be available for freight company pickup coordination

DON'T:

  • Try to set shipping rates for multi-ton equipment
  • Enable marketplace shipping for items requiring special permits
  • Promise specific delivery times for heavy equipment
  • Offer "free shipping" on large transformers or switchgear

Understanding Shipping vs Freight

Marketplace Shipping is for:

  • Standard freight items
  • Predictable weights and dimensions
  • LTL (Less Than Truckload) shipments
  • Items that fit on standard pallets

Custom Freight Quotes are for:

  • Transformers (typically 2,000-20,000+ lbs)
  • Switchgear assemblies (5,000-30,000+ lbs)
  • Generators (3,000-25,000+ lbs)
  • Oversized equipment requiring special handling
  • Items requiring crane service
  • Equipment needing flatbed or lowboy trailers

Troubleshooting Common Issues

"Cannot access shipping method without shipping range"

Problem: Trying to enable marketplace shipping without setting ranges

Solution:

  1. Go to Configuration > Shipping Methods
  2. Select "Range Detail" from action menu
  3. Click "ADD NEW RANGE"
  4. Create at least one range (required)
  5. Then proceed to add countries

Shipping calculator not showing at checkout

Problem: Buyers don't see shipping options

Possible causes:

  1. Marketplace Shipping Configuration is DISABLED - Check Configuration > Marketplace Shipping Configuration, Toggle must be ON
  2. No shipping ranges set - Must have at least one range configured
  3. Buyer's country not configured - Add their country in country configuration
  4. Buyer's state disabled - Check state-specific toggles for United States
  5. Product has "Requires Shipping" unchecked - Edit product, enable "Requires Shipping" checkbox

Want to charge different rates by product type

Problem: Need different shipping for breakers vs transformers

Solution: This isn't supported by the current system. Instead:

  • Use marketplace shipping for SMALL items only
  • Disable marketplace shipping for LARGE items
  • Handle large item shipping separately via phone/email

Need to offer free shipping for orders over $X

Problem: Want to incentivize large orders

Workaround:

  1. Create two price ranges:
    • Range 1: $0 - $999.99
    • Range 2: $1,000.00 - $100,000.00
  2. Set United States rates:
    • Range 1: $75.00 shipping
    • Range 2: $0.00 shipping (free)

This gives free shipping on orders $1,000+

When to Update Shipping Settings

You should review/update shipping if:

Business changes:

  • You start selling different product types
  • You move to a new location
  • You change freight providers
  • Shipping costs increase significantly

Seasonal adjustments:

  • Holiday shipping delays
  • Weather-related service disruptions
  • Carrier rate changes (annual increases)

Geographic expansion:

  • Adding international shipping
  • Expanding to new US states
  • Regional warehouse additions

Product line changes:

  • Adding smaller shippable items to heavy equipment catalog
  • Discontinuing small parts, focusing on large equipment

Advanced: International Shipping

Adding International Countries

Process is same as United States:

  1. Click "ADD COUNTRY"
  2. Select country from dropdown
  3. Set rates for that country
  4. Most countries show "All over country" (no state breakdown)
  5. Set single rate that applies nationwide

Considerations for international shipping:

Electrical equipment challenges:

  • Voltage differences (50Hz vs 60Hz)
  • Export regulations (generators, transformers may require permits)
  • Customs paperwork and duties
  • Much higher freight costs
  • Longer transit times (weeks, not days)

Recommendation for electrical equipment sellers:

  • Keep international shipping DISABLED
  • Handle international inquiries case-by-case
  • Work with international freight forwarders
  • Verify export compliance before accepting orders

Important Reminder

For heavy electrical equipment (transformers, switchgear, generators, large motor controls):

The recommended approach is to:

  1. Keep marketplace shipping DISABLED
  2. Let buyers arrange their own freight
  3. Coordinate pickup directly
  4. Provide equipment specs for freight quotes

This gives you and the buyer maximum flexibility for:

  • Custom freight quotes
  • Specialized rigging requirements
  • Site-specific delivery needs
  • Insurance considerations
  • Timing coordination

The marketplace shipping system is designed for standard freight items, not multi-ton electrical equipment requiring special handling.

Need Help?

Seller Support

Email: support@electricaltrader.com

Response Time: Within 24-48 hours

Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm EST