The **Shipping Categories** feature in Art Center Canvas allows you to define and manage shipping cost structures for items sold through your system. By creating shipping categories, you can assign specific shipping rates based on item size, weight, or other factors.
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### **Accessing Shipping Categories**
1. Navigate to **Admin > Sales Item & Inventory > Shipping Category**
2. The **Shipping Category Setup** interface will display.
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### **Creating a Shipping Category**
1. **Fill in Category Details**:
- **Category Name**: Enter a name for the shipping category (e.g., "Small Item").
- **Ship Single**: Set the cost of shipping this item alone (e.g., $10).
- **Ship w/More**: Set the cost of shipping this item when combined with other items in the same order (e.g., $5).
- **Level 3**: Optional additional pricing level for advanced scenarios.
2. **Save the Category**:
- Click **Save** to store the new shipping category.
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### **Editing a Shipping Category**
1. **Select an Existing Category**:
- Use the table to locate the category you wish to edit.
2. **Modify Details**:
- Update the name or any of the pricing levels (e.g., Ship Single, Ship w/More).
3. **Save Changes**:
- Click **Save** next to the category to apply updates.
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### **Deleting a Shipping Category**
1. **Select the Category**:
- Use the table to locate the category you want to remove.
2. **Click Delete**:
- Confirm the deletion to permanently remove the shipping category.
- **Note**: Ensure the category is not assigned to any items before deletion.
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### **Shipping Pricing Levels**
|**Pricing Level**|**Description**|
|---|---|
|**Ship Single**|The shipping cost for this item when shipped by itself.|
|**Ship w/More**|The reduced shipping cost for this item when combined with other items in the same shipment.|
|**Level 3**|An optional additional pricing level for custom or advanced shipping needs.|
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### **Best Practices**
1. **Define Clear Categories**:
- Use descriptive names (e.g., "Small Item," "Large Item") to make category assignment intuitive.
2. **Review Pricing Regularly**:
- Update shipping rates periodically to reflect changes in carrier fees or organizational costs.
3. **Minimize Overlaps**:
- Avoid creating redundant categories to maintain a streamlined setup.
4. **Test Category Assignments**:
- Assign test items to categories to verify shipping calculations on the storefront.
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### **Use Cases**
1. **Physical Products**:
- Assign categories like "Small Item," "Medium Item," and "Large Item" based on size or weight.
2. **Flat Rate Shipping**:
- Use a single category (e.g., "Flat Rate") for consistent shipping costs regardless of the item.
3. **Discounted Combined Shipping**:
- Use the **Ship w/More** field to offer reduced rates for additional items in the same order.
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### **Managing Categories in Sales Items**
After creating shipping categories, you can assign them to specific items in the **Sales Item Setup** screen. [[Shop Overview#**Creating a Sales Item**]]
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