Set Up Preorder and Backorder Shipping
Set up WooCommerce preorder and backorder shipping rules so mixed carts and delayed items are handled correctly.
WooCommerce Stock Manager can separate regular, preorder, and backorder items into shipping packages when the matching shipping methods are enabled in the customer’s shipping zone.
Add Shipping Methods
- Go to WooCommerce → Settings → Shipping → Shipping zones.
- Edit the shipping zone used by your customers.
- Add Pre-order shipping if you want separate preorder shipping.
- Add Backorder shipping if you want separate backorder shipping.
- Configure each method and save changes.
Shipping Method Settings
- Name: label shown to customers at checkout.
- Tax status: taxable or none.
- Cost type: flat per order or per preorder/backorder item.
- Cost: shipping cost for the special package.
- Free shipping threshold: optional subtotal amount for free special shipping.
How Package Splitting Works
If a cart contains regular items and preorder/backorder items, the plugin can create separate packages. Regular items use normal shipping methods. Preorder items can use Pre-order shipping. Backorder items can use Backorder shipping.
If Special Methods Are Not Enabled
If the special shipping method is not available for the destination, the plugin keeps those items in the regular package instead of forcing a broken checkout.
If carts can contain delayed and in-stock items together, configure Let Customers Choose All Items Together or Separately and review Restrict Payment Methods for Preorder and Backorder Carts.
Continue from WooCommerce Stock Manager documentation to the complete product workflow.
Evaluate product scope on the money page, use the pillar Guide for decisions and trade-offs, and return here for exact configuration.
Did this guide answer your question?
Still stuck?
Open a support request and include this article title, your plugin version, and what you already tried.
Open Support