How to configure and finalize shipping charge calculations in coreFORCE

coreFORCE calculates shipping charges using a layered approach based on your configured settings. These charges include flat rates, weight-based fees, and additional charges based on product type, category, department, inventory location, and distributor availability. This article outlines the calculation process and the logic used for each layer.

Where to configure shipping charges

All charges can be managed on the Shipping Charges page for each shipping method.

• For coreFORCE Basic users, go to Setup > Shipping Charges > [Select a shipping charge].
• For coreFORCE Advanced users, go to Orders > Settings > Shipping Charges > [Select a shipping charge].

1. Base item charges

Base item charges are the starting point in the shipping calculation. These include:

• Flat Rate: Applied to the first item in the cart.
• Additional Item Charge: Applied to each additional item in the cart.
• Percentage: If configured, applies a percentage of the total cart value. If both percentage and flat rate are set, the values are combined.

2. Weight-based charges

If configured, shipping charges based on weight are added to the base charges. These settings apply to the entire cart or a specific product department. Use the following columns in the Rates section to configure weight-based charges:

• Minimum Weight / Maximum Weight: Defines the weight range for rate application.
• Flat Rate: Base rate for weight-based shipping.
• Rate per Pound Over Minimum: The additional weight charge per pound above the minimum weight. To calculate this, subtract the minimum weight from the cart’s total weight, round the result to the nearest whole pound, and multiply by the configured additional pound charge. Add this amount to the flat rate to determine the final weight-based charge.
• Maximum Dimension: Maximum allowed product dimensions (width, length, height).
• Charge for Exceeding Dimension: Multiply the number of products exceeding this dimension by the configured overage charge. And then, add the result to the total weight-based charge.

3. Category-based shipping charges

Shipping charges can also be configured for specific product categories. Use the following columns in the Additional Charges for Product Categories section to configure category-based shipping charges:

• Flat Rate: Applied if at least one item in the cart belongs to the specified category.
• Additional Item Charge: Applied for each additional item in the same category.

4. Department-based shipping charges

Similar to categories, you can assign charges based on product departments. Use the following columns in the Additional Charges for Product Departments section to configure department-based shipping charges:

• Flat Rate: Applied if one or more items belong to the specified department.
• Additional Item Charge: Applied to each additional item or quantity in the same department.

5. Product type-based shipping charges

Shipping charges can also be defined based on product types. Use the following columns in the Additional Charges for Product Types section to configure product type-based shipping charges:

• Flat Rate: Applied if any item in the cart matches the defined product type.
• Additional Item Charge: Applied for each additional item of the same product type.

6. Distributor and local location charges

coreFORCE determines additional shipping costs based on product availability across distributor and local locations. The system prioritizes the lowest total shipping charge per product.

If a product is available in multiple locations with different charges, the below conditions are followed:

• Distributor charges are evaluated first.
• If no distributor charge exists, local location charges are considered.

Distributor-based charges

Use the following columns in the Additional Charges for Distributors section to configure distributor-based shipping charges:

• Flat Rate: Applied if at least one product is in stock with the specified distributor.
• Additional Item Charge: Applied for every additional matching item or quantity.

If products are stocked across multiple distributors, coreFORCE selects the one with the lowest configured charge.

Location-based charges

Use the following columns in the Additional Charges for Local Locations section to configure distributor-based shipping charges:

• Flat Rate: Applied if any item is in stock at the specified local location.
• Additional Item Charge: Applied to each additional item or quantity from that location.

Special configuration: sum of charges for each shipping location

In coreFORCE, shipping rates are calculated based on several factors, including product availability, weight, category, and fulfillment location.

What this configuration does

When the Sum of charges for each shipping location checkbox is selected, coreFORCE calculates shipping charges separately for each fulfillment location and then adds the totals together. This ensures all applicable charges are applied per location, resulting in accurate, location-based shipping costs.

When the Sum of charges for each shipping location checkbox is cleared, coreFORCE attempts to fulfill the entire order from the cheapest available location, even if not all quantities are available there. This may lead to undercharging or incorrect calculations if multiple sources are actually used.

Example scenario

This scenario demonstrates how coreFORCE calculates shipping charges when an order must be fulfilled from multiple locations, depending on whether the Sum of charges for each shipping location setting is enabled.

Product overview

• Product: Product A
• Quantity in cart: 2
• Total weight: 20 lbs

Configured shipping charges

Distributor charges

Inventory availability

• Sports South: 1 unit in stock
• Billhicks: 1 unit in stock

If the configuration is disabled

coreFORCE selects the first available location (e.g., Sports South) and applies the shipping charges from that location only.

Sample calculation:

Total = Base + Weight-Based + Type + Category + Department + Distributor

Total = 5 + 10 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 2 = $32

If the configuration is enabled

coreFORCE fulfills the order from multiple locations and applies shipping charges for each fulfillment location. The weight-based charge is split evenly.

Calculation per location:

Total = Base + (Weight / 2) + Type + Category + Department + Distributor

Total per location = 5 + (10 / 2) + 5 + 5 + 5 + 2 = $27

Total for both locations:

• Sports South: $27
• Billhicks: $27
• Grand total: $54

Finalizing shipping charges

After coreFORCE calculates the base shipping rate for an order, the system applies minimum and maximum charge constraints based on configuration. This ensures the shipping cost stays within your defined pricing rules, regardless of the product combinations or shipping logic applied.

Final shipping rate calculation

The total shipping rate is calculated by summing all applicable charges, including:

• Base item charges
• Weight-based rates
• Product category charges
• Product department charges
• Product type charges
• Distributor charges
• Location-based charges

Once the total is calculated, coreFORCE evaluates it against two key constraints:

Maximum charge per item

The Maximum charge per item field ensures that no single item exceeds a defined maximum shipping cost. If the average cost per item exceeds this limit, the system recalculates the total by multiplying the maximum allowed rate per item by the number of items in the cart.

Minimum charge per item

The Minimum Shipping Charge field ensures that a minimum threshold is met, regardless of calculated shipping totals. If the calculated shipping rate is less than the defined minimum, coreFORCE replaces the total with the minimum shipping charge.

Sample shipping calculation log

Example shipping charge calculation scenarios

The following examples illustrate how shipping charges are calculated in coreFORCE under various configurations. All values are in USD.

Scenario 1: Minimum shipping charge enforced

Configuration

• Minimum shipping charge: $13.99
• Flat rate: $10.00

Cart

• Quantity: 1 item

Result

• Shipping charge: $13.99 (minimum enforced)

Scenario 2:  Ammo with weight-based charge

Configuration

• Minimum shipping charge: $13.99
• Flat rate: $10.00
• Shipping Charge based on weight applicable for Ammo department only

Cart

• Item: Ammo
• Quantity: 1
• Weight: 1.275 lbs

Calculation

• Flat rate: $10.00
• Weight charge: $11.99 + (2 lbs × $0.48) = $11.99 + $0.96
• Total shipping charge: $22.95

Scenario 3: Product category-based rate

Configuration

• Minimum shipping charge: $13.99
• Flat rate: $10.00
• Category rate configured for pistols

Cart

• Item: Pistol
• Quantity: 1

Calculation

• Flat rate: $10.00
• Category rate (Pistol): $19.99
• Total shipping charge: $29.99

Scenario 4: Multiple product types and distributors

Configuration

• Minimum shipping charge: $9.95
• Flat rate: $9.95
• Ammo weight rate: $0/lb
• Additional charges

Cart

• Pistol ×2
• Accessories ×1
• Ammo ×1 (1.275 lbs)

Calculation

• Pistols: $7 + $10 + $10 (Camfour) = $27
• Accessories: $4 (Chattanooga)
• Ammo: $2
• Total shipping charge: $42.95

Scenario 5: Charges from each shipping location

Configuration

• Minimum shipping charge: $9.95
• Flat rate: $9.95
• Sum of charges per location: Enabled
• Shipping charge based on weight applicable for Ammo only ($0)

• Additional charges

Item availability

• Pistol: Camfour and Sports South
• Accessories: Chattanooga and Sports South
• Ammo: Sports South

Calculation

• Pistols: $7 + $10 + $11 = $28
• Accessories: $5
• Ammo: $2
• Total shipping charge: $44.95

Scenario 6: Percentage + weight + flat rate

Configuration

• Minimum shipping charge: $15.99
• Flat rate: $15.99
• Percentage of cart total: 1%
• Shipping charge based on weight applicable for Gears & Supplies only ($0)

• Additional charges

Cart

• Pistol ×2
• Powders (Gears & Accessories) ×1 (8.335 lbs)
• Cart total: $1,385.88

Calculation

• Base: $15.99 + $2 (additional items) = $17.99
• Percentage: 1% of $1,385.88 = $13.86
• Pistols: $25 + $10 = $35
• Powder: $1 + $1.25 + $32.99 = $35.24
• Total shipping charge: $102.09

Summary

Configuring and finalizing shipping charge calculations in coreFORCE ensures customers are charged accurately based on your business rules. By applying base rates, weight-based charges, category and department adjustments, product type rules, and distributor or location-based costs, the system delivers precise, location-aware totals. Reviewing and optimizing these settings helps maintain competitive pricing, prevents undercharging, and aligns with your operational goals.

For help setting up or troubleshooting shipping configurations, contact the Coreware Support Team.

Updated on: 08/15/2025