Settings and rate behavior

Updated · SMART Shipping Rates (E-TRADE PARTNER)

SMART Settings control weight unit, dimensional unit, volumetric divisor, default dimensions, multiple rates behavior, and rounding. Review them before testing calculated rates, especially when cart weight, volume, dimensional weight, or several matching rates affect checkout.

4.9 · SMART Shipping Rates does this with zones, calculated rates, and delivery customizations.

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On this page
  1. Units & measurement
  2. Multiple rates behavior
  3. Rounding
  4. How settings fit with other modules
  5. Frequently asked questions

Settings do not replace rule conditions. They define how SMART interprets and presents rates across your setup. A small settings mismatch can make a correct-looking rule produce the wrong checkout result.

Units & measurement

SettingWhat it affects
Weight unitHow cart weight, product weight, and dimensional weight are interpreted (g, kg, lb, oz)
Dimensional unitHow length, width, height, and volume are interpreted (cm, in, mm, m)
Volumetric divisorDivides L × W × H to convert volume into volumetric weight. Settings help text lists 5000 for cm/kg and 139 for in/lb
Default length / width / heightFallback when a variant has no dimensions, or only some sides filled. Used as a whole set

Dimensional weight is the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight. Keep the divisor paired with the units you actually use. Mixing cm catalog values with an inches divisor will misprice every size-based rate. See Product dimensions.

Multiple rates behavior

When more than one calculated rate matches, Multiple rates can show all matching rates, only the highest, only the lowest, or cheapest and most expensive only. Choose the behavior that matches how your store wants customers to compare shipping options.

  • Use show all when customers should choose between valid calculated options.
  • Use highest when the safest cost should win.
  • Use lowest when the cheapest valid calculated option is acceptable.
  • Use cheapest and most expensive when you want to show the price range endpoints.

Rounding

Rounding applies after calculations. Options include no rounding, round up, round down, nearest, .99 / .95 / .49 endings, nearest .50 or .25, and a custom decimal ending. Rounding is most noticeable with percentage rates, discounts, increments, and handling fees. Test an order that produces a non-round number.

How settings fit with other modules

ModuleSettings impact
Delivery customizationsMostly affects how existing methods are controlled, not rate calculation
Shipping ratesAffects calculated price behavior, especially weight, volume, dimensional weight, rounding, and multiple matches
Combined ratesWorks with tagged calculated rates, then blends by sum, cheapest, most expensive, or average
Checkout simulatorUses the same settings as live calculated rates

For next steps, read Shipping rates and zones, Product dimensions, Combined rates, or Test your setup.

Review settings before checkout testing

Use SMART to control units, volumetric weight, default dimensions, multiple rate behavior, rounding, and calculated rates.

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Frequently asked questions

What settings should I check first?

Check weight unit, dimensional unit, volumetric divisor, default dimensions, multiple rates behavior, and rounding before testing calculated rates.

What happens if several SMART rates match?

Settings can show all, show the highest, show the lowest, or show the cheapest and most expensive matching rates.

What volumetric divisor should I use?

Match the divisor to your units. Settings help text lists 5000 for cm/kg and 139 for in/lb. Dimensional weight is the greater of actual weight and L × W × H ÷ that divisor.

Do settings remove the need for combined rates?

No. Use Combined rates when tagged calculated rates should be blended into one checkout method.

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