Include & Exclude Logic Explained
Learn how Include and Exclude rules let you build precise shipping method allowlists and blocklists per product.
Learn how Include and Exclude rules let you build precise shipping method allowlists and blocklists per product.
Learn how Include and Exclude rules let you build precise shipping method allowlists and blocklists per product.
The plugin gives you two ways to specify which shipping methods apply to a product, category, or tag:
Both are Premium features and are especially useful when you have a large number of shipping methods in your zones and don't want to tick every single one.
Use Include when a product should only ship via a small, specific set of methods — for example, a fragile item that must only go via a specialist courier. It's the safer, more restrictive approach.
Example: Your "Glassware" category has 8 shipping methods in the zone. Only 2 are safe for fragile items. Include those 2 — done.
Use Exclude when you want to block one or two methods but leave everything else open — for example, a heavy product that should never qualify for free letter-box shipping, but can use any of your courier services.
Example: A "Heavy Goods" tag needs to block Letter Post and Free Shipping but allow the remaining 6 courier methods. Exclude those 2 instead of including all 6.
When editing a product, category, or tag, the plugin's Shipping Methods panel shows a toggle to switch between Include and Exclude mode. Select your mode, then pick the relevant methods from the list.
The setting is saved per rule — you can use Include on one category and Exclude on another without any conflict.
Include/Exclude rules are resolved first at the individual product level, then the mixed-cart conflict resolution logic (see How Mixed Carts Are Handled) determines the final set of methods shown at checkout.