Fix Shopify Shipping Error This Order Can't Be Shipped

Published on Jun 17, 2024

By Emma Johnson

#Shopify#E-commerce#Troubleshooting
Young woman in casual clothes helping senior man in formal shirt with paying credit card in Internet using laptop while sitting at table

Are you a Shopify store owner struggling with the frustrating “This order can’t be shipped to the address you entered” error? You’re not alone. This common issue can significantly impact your sales and customer experience. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the root causes of this error and provide step-by-step solutions to get your shipping back on track.

Understanding the Error

What Causes the Shipping Error?

The “This order can’t be shipped” error typically occurs when there’s a mismatch between your store’s shipping settings and the customer’s entered address. This can happen due to various reasons, including:

  1. Incomplete shipping zone setup
  2. Incorrect shipping rate configurations
  3. Issues with third-party shipping apps
  4. Problems with inventory location settings

Impact on Your Business

This error can have severe consequences for your e-commerce business:

  • Lost sales due to abandoned carts
  • Frustrated customers who may not return
  • Decreased trust in your brand
  • Wasted time troubleshooting instead of focusing on growth

The Most Effective Solution

Setting Up Shipping and Delivery Correctly

The most widely accepted solution, as highlighted in the Shopify Community, involves properly configuring your shipping and delivery settings. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Go to your Shopify account
  2. Click on “Settings” in the bottom left corner
  3. Select “Shipping and Delivery”
  4. Ensure this section is set up correctly with your provider and products

This solution has helped many store owners resolve the shipping error. However, if you’re still experiencing issues, don’t worry – we have more troubleshooting steps for you.

Additional Troubleshooting Steps

Checking Shopify Markets

Another crucial area to investigate is your Shopify Markets settings:

  1. Navigate to “Settings” > “Markets” in your Shopify admin
  2. Verify that all markets you wish to sell to are active
  3. Review and adjust cross-border settings as needed

Reviewing Product Details

Sometimes, the issue lies with individual product settings:

  1. Edit your products
  2. Use bulk edit to add the “Stock at” column
  3. Ensure products are pulling stock from the correct dropshipper or warehouse

Verifying Inventory Locations

Inventory location mismatches can also cause shipping errors:

  1. Go to “Settings” > “Locations”
  2. Confirm your address is set correctly and validated by Shopify
  3. Make sure the shipping origin matches your inventory location

Addressing App-Related Issues

Third-Party Shipping Apps

If you’re using apps like ShipStation or Zendrop, they may be interfering with your shipping calculations:

  1. Temporarily disable third-party shipping apps
  2. Test your checkout process without the apps
  3. If the error resolves, contact the app developer for support

Dropshipping Considerations

For dropshipping stores:

  1. Ensure your dropshipping app is correctly integrated
  2. Verify that shipping rates are properly synced
  3. Check if products have inventory in the selected warehouse

Advanced Troubleshooting Techniques

Custom Shipping Rates

Sometimes, creating custom shipping rates can resolve persistent issues:

  1. Go to “Settings” > “Shipping and Delivery”
  2. Create a new shipping zone for problematic regions
  3. Set up custom rates based on weight, price, or other factors

Clearing Cache and Cookies

Browser-related issues can sometimes cause checkout problems:

  1. Try checking out in an incognito or private browsing window
  2. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies
  3. Test the checkout process on different devices and browsers

When All Else Fails

Contacting Shopify Support

If you’ve tried all the above solutions and are still facing issues:

  1. Reach out to Shopify support directly
  2. Provide detailed information about your store setup and the specific error
  3. Be prepared to grant temporary access to your store for troubleshooting

Considering Professional Help

In some cases, it may be worth hiring a Shopify expert:

  1. Look for certified Shopify Partners or Experts
  2. Explain your issue in detail when reaching out
  3. Consider the long-term benefits of professional optimization

By following these comprehensive steps, you should be able to resolve the “This order can’t be shipped” error and get your Shopify store back to smooth sailing. Remember, a well-functioning checkout process is crucial for your e-commerce success, so don’t hesitate to invest time in getting it right.

Take Our Quick Quiz:

Which primary product image do you think has the highest conversion rate?