Ecommerce shipping in India, sorted.
Shipping is where online orders are won or lost. This guide covers what actually makes up a shipping charge, how to set up zones, methods and rates, when to use a shipping aggregator, and how to run COD and free shipping, with step-by-step help for doing it all on Commmerce.
Schedule a DemoWhat actually goes into a shipping charge
Couriers rarely bill on the number on your weighing scale. Understanding the five levers below is what lets you price delivery so it neither scares off buyers nor eats your margin.
Chargeable weight
Couriers bill on the higher of actual weight and volumetric (dimensional) weight. A light, bulky parcel can cost more than a small heavy one.
Zone and distance
Local, regional, metro, and rest-of-India each cost differently. Zones let you charge by how far a parcel travels.
Mode
Surface is cheaper and slower, air is faster and dearer. The mode you offer shapes both cost and delivery promise.
COD fee
Cash on delivery adds a per-order handling fee and higher return risk, both of which belong in your true cost.
Surcharges and packaging
Fuel surcharge, packaging material, and handling all sit on top of the base freight rate.
Work it out first
Price per parcel before you promise free shipping. Use the calculators below to get to a real number.
How to set up shipping on your online store
On Commmerce, shipping is built from four pieces: zones, methods, rates, and payment rules. Each step below links to the exact guide in the help centre.
Create shipping zones
Group delivery locations into zones so you can charge local, regional, and national rates separately. You can create multiple zones and edit them any time.
Set up zones →Add shipping methods
Choose the shipping methods each zone offers and customise them to your business, from flat rate to weight-based delivery.
Set up methods →Set rates by region
Specify shipping costs for different regions so a metro order and a remote-pincode order are priced correctly.
Set regional rates →Configure COD and free shipping
Enable COD for chosen locations with a handling charge, and add free shipping as a targeted offer where it makes sense.
Free shipping offers →What is an ecommerce shipping aggregator, and do you need one?
An ecommerce shipping aggregator (also called a courier aggregator) is a platform such as Shiprocket that connects your online store to many courier companies through one account, one wallet and one dashboard. It compares courier rates and pincode serviceability for each order, generates labels and tracks shipments, so you do not need a separate contract with every courier. You can still plug in your own local courier partners for deliveries you handle directly.
| Shipping aggregator | Direct courier contracts | |
|---|---|---|
| Couriers available | Many, through one account | One contract and integration per courier |
| Rates | Pre-negotiated rates without volume commitments | Can beat aggregator rates once your volume is high |
| Courier choice per order | Compared automatically by cost, speed and pincode | Manual, or your own routing rules |
| COD remittance and disputes | Handled through the aggregator | Handled separately with each courier |
| Best for | Most online stores and growing chains | High, steady volume in specific lanes |
Shipping aggregators
Connect an aggregator to reach dozens of couriers, compare rates, auto-generate labels, and track shipments without a contract per courier. What is an aggregator?
Shiprocket on Commmerce
Configure Shiprocket, add your pickup location, and process orders straight from your store, with status syncing back automatically. Configure Shiprocket
Your own courier partners
Choose courier partners for local deliveries you fulfil yourself, and keep control of the last mile in your own city. Local courier options
Third-party vendors
Add third-party courier vendors to your store when you have negotiated rates or coverage the aggregator does not offer. Add a vendor
Choosing a courier aggregator
What to compare between aggregators, the mistakes retailers make, and where an aggregator fits with your order management. Courier aggregator guide for retailers
Own fleet or aggregator?
When running your own delivery riders starts to beat aggregator rates, city by city. Own fleet vs courier aggregator
Estimate a shipment
Work out a parcel's chargeable weight and courier cost before you pick a partner. Shipping and parcel cost calculator
Comparing logistics partners
ElasticRun, Delhivery and Shiprocket compared on fit for Indian retailers. ElasticRun vs Delhivery vs Shiprocket
Shipping the way Indian ecommerce actually runs
COD by location
Cash on delivery is still one of the most-used ways Indian shoppers pay. Enable it only where you want, with a COD charge, and switch it off on specific offers.
Pincode-level reach
Aggregator serviceability checks tell you which pincodes a courier reaches, so you promise delivery only where it can actually happen.
GST-ready parcels
HSN codes on your products keep invoices and shipping documents GST-compliant. Find your HSN code
Order notifications
Keep buyers informed with notifications for orders, shipping, tracking, and cancellations, the updates that cut down "where is my order" queries.
Price your shipping before you set it
Step-by-step shipping help
Every shipping setup task on Commmerce, documented in the help centre.
Shipping zones
Methods, rates & policies
Couriers & aggregators
COD, free shipping & alerts
Frequently asked questions
What makes up a shipping charge in India?
A parcel's shipping charge is usually driven by its chargeable weight (the higher of actual weight and volumetric weight), the distance or zone it travels, the mode (surface or air), and add-ons like a cash-on-delivery fee, fuel surcharge, and packaging. Couriers bill on chargeable weight, so a light but bulky parcel can cost more than a small heavy one.
What is a shipping zone?
A shipping zone is a group of delivery locations (by pincode, city, state, or region) that share the same shipping rules and rates. Zones let you charge different rates for local, regional, and national delivery instead of one flat rate everywhere. See how to set zones.
What is a shipping aggregator?
A shipping aggregator such as Shiprocket gives an online store access to many courier companies through one account, with discounted rates, pincode serviceability checks, automated label and manifest generation, and tracking, so you do not need a separate contract with each courier. Read more.
What is the difference between a shipping aggregator and a courier company?
A courier company (such as Delhivery, Blue Dart or DTDC) owns the network that picks up and delivers your parcels. A shipping aggregator does not deliver anything itself: it gives you access to many courier companies through one account, compares their rates and pincode coverage for each order, and handles labels, tracking and COD remittance in one place.
How do I choose a courier aggregator for my store?
Compare pincode serviceability for the areas you ship to most, rates for your typical parcel weights, COD remittance speed, how weight disputes are handled, and whether it integrates with your store and order management. Test with real orders before moving all your volume.
Can I offer cash on delivery (COD) only in some areas?
Yes. On Commmerce you can enable COD for specific locations, add a COD handling charge for those locations, and disable COD when a particular offer is applied, so you control COD risk by region and by promotion. See COD setup.
How do I offer free shipping without losing money?
Set free shipping above a minimum order value so the extra margin covers the delivery cost, or run it as a targeted offer for specific products or zones. Work out your true per-parcel cost first using chargeable weight and any COD fee before setting the threshold.
Does Commmerce support Shiprocket?
Yes. Commmerce integrates with Shiprocket as a shipping aggregator: you connect your account, set a pickup location, and process orders through Shiprocket from your store, with order status syncing back automatically. You can also add third-party courier vendors. Configure Shiprocket.
Sell online with shipping built in.
See how Commmerce handles zones, rates, COD, and Shiprocket for your store.
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