The Ultimate Guide to Testing Shipping Rates in Shopify

Meet Sarah, the Overwhelmed Store Owner

Picture this: Sarah just spent her entire morning setting up shipping rules in her Shopify store. She's got free shipping over $50, international restrictions, and special handling for heavy items. She's using Better Shipping because she knows it can handle these complex scenarios. But when she tests her setup, nothing changes. The shipping rates stay the same, even though she just updated them.

Sound familiar? You're not alone. Sarah has run into Shopify's shipping rate caching, a feature that catches many merchants off guard during testing. Let me show you exactly how to verify your shipping rules with confidence.

Why Testing Shipping Rates Matters

Think about your last online shopping experience. You found the perfect product, added it to your cart, and then... surprise! The shipping cost made you think twice. That's exactly what happens to your customers when shipping rates aren't working as intended.

As a merchant, you need a reliable way to confirm your shipping changes are working correctly. But here's the catch: Shopify's checkout is designed to be fast for real customers by "remembering" shipping data for specific addresses and carts. While this is great for your actual shoppers, it can make testing your shipping rules feel like hitting your head against a wall.

Understanding Shopify's Caching

What is "Caching" and Why Does Shopify Use It?

Think of caching like a waiter remembering your regular order. It's faster than asking you every time. Shopify does the same thing with shipping rates:

• It stores shipping quotes temporarily for quick access
• When the same address and cart combination comes up again, it uses the stored rate
• This speeds up checkout for your real customers

Why It's Helpful for Shoppers, But Frustrating for You

Your actual customers rarely need multiple shipping quotes for the same cart. But when you're testing your shipping rules, this "memory" feature can hide the changes you just made.

Here's what's happening:

• Your real shoppers typically check shipping rates once per order
• But you're probably testing rates multiple times with the same address
• Shopify won't ask your shipping app for new rates unless something changes

The Problem: "I Changed My Shipping Rules, But I'm Still Seeing Old Rates!"

Here's a crucial fact: Shopify's caching means it won't request new shipping rates from Better Shipping (or any shipping app) unless the address or cart weight changes. This isn't a bug—it's how Shopify is designed to work.

When you're testing:

• Using the same address and cart items will likely show the old rates
• Your new rules might be working perfectly, but Shopify isn't asking for new quotes

Four Ways to Force Fresh Shipping Quotes

1. Change the Zip Code

Here's the quickest solution, and what I usually do: add "1" to your existing zip code or pick a different one in your region.

For example: If you tested with 10001, try 10002 next time. This small change tells Shopify you're shipping to a new location, triggering a fresh rate request.

2. Tweak the State or Country

• Switch states, provinces, or countries (within your shipping zones)
• Perfect for testing international rates or region-specific rules

3. Adjust the Cart Weight (Quantities)

• Add or remove items to change the total weight
• This forces Shopify to request new rates

Pro Tip: Make sure your products have weights set in Shopify Admin > Products. If the weight is 0, changing quantities won't affect the total cart weight.

4. Use an Incognito Browser or a New Browser Session

• Open an incognito/private window to start fresh
• This ensures no leftover caching or cookies interfere with your tests

Step-by-Step Testing Guide

If you're using Better Shipping, you'll notice it starts in "Test Mode" by default. This means your customers won't see the rates while you're testing. Here's how to use it effectively:

1. Enable "Test Mode"

• Better Shipping starts in Test Mode by default
• Double-check in the app's Settings page if you're unsure

2. Create a Cart & Head to Checkout

• Add products that trigger your shipping rules
• This might be items that should get free shipping or products with special handling fees

3. Enter the First Name "Better" and Last Name "Shipping"

• Use these exact names at checkout to see the rates
• This built-in test mechanism keeps your testing private from real customers

4. Update Your Address/Zip Code or Adjust Cart Quantities

• Change something each time you test
• This ensures Shopify requests fresh rates

5. Check Rate Accuracy

• Verify the shipping cost matches your rules
• If not, review your settings in Better Shipping

6. Switch to Live Mode

• Once everything looks correct, switch out of Test Mode
• Subscribe to make your rates visible to customers

Common Pitfalls

1. Forgetting to Assign a Weight

• Products with 0 weight won't trigger fresh rate requests when quantities change
• Always set a weight, even if it's small

2. Using the Same Address for Every Test

• Mix up your test addresses
• A small zip code change usually works

Real Results

Proper testing ensures:

• No Checkout Surprises: Customers see the correct rates, reducing cart abandonment
• Confidence in Complex Rules: You can verify everything works, from zip code restrictions to per-variant rates
• Smooth Launch: Avoid last-minute shipping issues when your store goes live

Final Thoughts

If your shipping rates aren't updating, it's usually not your app or setup, it's Shopify's caching doing its job. Change your test address or cart each time, and you'll see your actual rates.

Key Takeaways:

1. Use Better Shipping's Test Mode with the name "Better Shipping"
2. Change addresses or cart quantities between tests
3. Switch to Live Mode when you're satisfied

This approach helps you catch issues early, giving your customers a smooth checkout experience.

Pro Tips for Success

Important: Before testing, check these requirements:

• Shopify plan with Carrier Calculated Shipping enabled
• Products in the General Profile
• Better Shipping app properly installed

Need More Help?

Check out these resources:

• How to Set Up Per-Product Shipping
• Advanced Shipping Rules Guide
• Contact our support team for personalized assistance

Ready to perfect your shipping setup? Start your free trial of Better Shipping today.