# Setting Up Shipping Zones in WooCommerce

> **Source video:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HhBEbIMqAQ

This guide explains how shipping zones work and walks you through building your first zone. You'll learn how to name a zone, define its regions, and add shipping methods.

## How Shipping Zones Work

Think of shipping zones as a container for your rules and rates. The process works like this:

1. First, create a shipping zone.
2. Then add methods to that zone (like USPS, flat rate, or FedEx).
3. Finally, create rates within those methods.

## Before You Begin

First make sure shipping is set up appropriately for your store. In the **General** tab of **WooCommerce → Settings**, shipping will be enabled as long as you haven't selected the *Disabled shipping and shipping calculation* setting. The other shipping choices are self-explanatory — check the documentation on general settings to learn more.

## Creating a Shipping Zone

Head into the **Shipping** tab and open the **Shipping zones** submenu. It's common to have at least two zones for selling to different countries, zip codes, or states. By default there is already one for the *Rest of the world*. Once you get the hang of it, you can create as many zones as you need.

To set up free shipping for your store's base country:

1. Give the zone a name, like *USA*.
2. Select the regions for this zone. Start typing the name of the country to find it more easily.
   - You can limit the zone to specific states by typing the name of that state.
   - To limit by specific zip or post codes, select the *Limit to specific zip/post codes* link below the region text field.
3. Add one post code per line if you have a long list, or use wildcards and ranges:
   - A wildcard such as `cb23*` catches any post code that begins with `cb23`.
   - A range such as `90210-99000` catches all post codes in that range.

## Adding Shipping Methods

With the zone selected, choose the **Add shipping method** button. A pop-up window appears where you can pick the method to add. WooCommerce comes with three built-in shipping methods, and any shipping extensions you have will also appear in the drop-down.

The methods included in WooCommerce are:

- **Flat rate** — A fixed rate you charge to that zone. It has placeholders that allow for some mathematical rates, for example calculating charges based on the quantity of items in the cart, or charging 10% of the total order cost.
- **Free shipping** — Free shipping that doesn't charge for shipping. It can be triggered with a coupon, a minimum order amount, or both. You may consider using this as a sales tactic where shipping is built into the cost of the product.
- **Local pickup** — Gives customers the option to pick up their orders from your store. This also has an optional cost if needed.

For more detail on any of these methods, check the related documentation and videos.