Shipping Policies and Configuration
July 20, 2026
Summary
Shipping policies bind channel shipping mappings to eligible source shipping methods, forming the middle layer that lets each incoming order route to the right way of shipping out from a source.
Overview
Shipping Policies bind together channel shipping mappings and eligible source shipping methods. They are the middle layer that lets an incoming order pick the right way to ship out from each source. You configure them in Settings → Orders → Shipping Management (step 7 of onboarding).
- Bind mappings to methods: a policy links what the customer chose at checkout to the source methods that can fulfill it.
- Drive routing: during routing, only source methods mapped to the order’s policy are eligible; rate shopping can pick among them.
- Group by shipping type: model policies as buckets: “Standard” for ground, “Priority” for air/expedited, “Freight” for freight.
- Simple to create: a policy needs only a name; the value is in what it links together.
How a policy fits the order lifecycle
- Order imported: an incoming order carries shipping text from the channel (for example “4-7 business days” or “fastest”).
- Channel shipping mapping identified: that text is matched to a channel shipping mapping, which references a shipping policy (for example “Standard” or “Expedited”).
- Shipping policy assigned: the policy is attached to the order. You can also force a policy with an order import override (for example by weight range or item count).
- Routing picks a source method: during routing, a fulfillment request/order is generated using a source shipping method mapped to that policy. Rate shopping can choose among multiple eligible methods.
Creating a policy
In Shipping Management, click Add Policy, enter a Policy Name, and click Create. To edit or delete, hover the policy name, click the gear icon, then update or delete.
| Example policy | Represents |
|---|---|
| Standard | All ground / lower-cost shipping solutions. |
| Priority | All air / expedited shipping solutions. |
| Freight | All options sent via freight. |
Example: routing freight via UPS Freight: you want bulk orders to ship via UPS Freight, and the source needs the code UPSF to do it.
- Configure: create a policy called “Freight”. Map the channel’s “Bulk Shipping” selection to Shipping Policy → Freight, or use an order import override to force “Freight” for orders over a weight or item-count threshold.
- Import: the order comes in and the “Freight” policy is assigned.
- Route: the UPSF source method is mapped to “Freight”, so it is chosen.
- Send: on Send Purchase Orders / Fulfillment Requests, the UPSF value is passed to the source so they ship via UPS Freight.
Important notes
Note: A policy on its own does nothing until it is linked. Its value comes entirely from the channel shipping mappings pointing into it and the source shipping methods mapped out of it. Create the policy, then map both sides in Shipping Management.
Note: Every channel shipping text must map to a policy. If an incoming order has shipping text that is not mapped to any policy (or no text at all), Flxpoint holds the order under an Unmapped Channel Method notification.
Note: Regulated products may need several methods under one policy. For firearms, hazmat, and similar cases, group related methods under one policy (for example all ground methods under “Standard”) and use distinct source shipping codes per product type.
Common issues
Order stuck On Hold for an unmapped shipping method
: the channel shipping text was not mapped to any policy. Map it (Shipping Management → Assign to Policy), which releases all orders currently held for that same unmapped method. Note that a policy alone will not fulfill the order; the source still needs a valid method mapped to that policy and a working source/route.
Routing did not pick the method I expected
: confirm the source shipping method you expected is mapped to the same policy the order was assigned. If multiple methods are mapped and rate shopping is on, the lowest-cost eligible method wins; check the FR/FO generation logs to see which methods were considered.
FAQs
What is the difference between a shipping policy and a source shipping method?
A policy is a conceptual bucket (“Standard”, “Freight”). A source shipping method is the concrete way a specific source ships (carrier, method, and the code that source needs). Policies group methods so an order can be routed without hard-coding a carrier.
Can I force a policy regardless of what the customer selected?
Yes. Use an order import override to assign a policy based on rules such as weight range or item count, instead of (or in addition to) the channel shipping mapping.
Do I have to create a mapping for every channel shipping option?
Yes. Every channel shipping text must be mapped to a policy; unmapped text puts the order on hold until you assign it.