How to offer free standard shipping over an amount on Shopify (and keep express paid)
Short answer: Make the Standard rate free when the cart subtotal reaches 75, while Express and other rates keep their price. In Checkpost, choose “Free standard shipping over $75” from Templates, adjust the values, test it, then save and enable the rule.
The problem
Shopify's free shipping discount makes every eligible rate free, so shoppers above the threshold can choose free overnight delivery. Stores that only want to cover standard delivery end up paying for express or turning the offer off.
How to set it up
- Install Checkpost from the Shopify App Store.
- Open Templates and choose Free standard shipping over $75.
- Set the amount and the name of the rate to make free. Leave the names empty to discount every rate.
- Use Try this rule to test a sample cart, then click Save rule.
The rule
Free shipping on delivery methods containing "Standard" when all of these conditions is true:
- Cart subtotal is at least 75
Shoppers see no message: the methods are changed before checkout shows them.
Rule definition (JSON)
{
"name": "Free standard shipping over 75",
"action": {
"kind": "discount_delivery",
"methods": [
"Standard"
],
"match": "contains",
"value": {
"type": "percentage",
"amount": 100
},
"label": "Free shipping"
},
"match": "all",
"conditions": [
{
"kind": "number",
"field": "cart_subtotal",
"op": "gte",
"value": 75
}
]
}Examples with the default settings
These outcomes apply to this rule alone. Other enabled rules may also affect checkout.
| Test cart | Expected outcome |
|---|---|
| Subtotal 80 | Free shipping on delivery methods containing "Standard" |
| Subtotal 60 | Methods unchanged by this rule |
Where this rule works
This changes existing delivery options; it does not create rates, change their prices or configure pickup. Address conditions are evaluated for each delivery group's own address. Product-tag conditions inspect the whole cart. Verify that an eligible delivery option remains.
Tips
- Use the rate name exactly as checkout shows it. "Contains" matching covers "Standard" and "Standard shipping".
- The amount is in your store currency and converted for other markets.
- Checkpost's shipping discount is automatic and combines with product and order discounts. It doesn't combine with other shipping discounts, so Shopify applies the better one.
- Turn on test mode first: only checkouts with your email see the free rate until you go live.
Can you do this without an app?
Shopify's built-in free shipping discount can exclude rates over a price, but it can't pick rates by name or depend on customer tags or the address.
FAQ
Does express shipping stay paid?
Yes. Only rates whose name contains Standard are discounted.
Is a discount code needed?
No. It's an automatic discount and appears as soon as the cart qualifies.