Free Shipping Threshold for Black Friday on Shopify: How to Set It Up
Short answer: Set your free shipping threshold a little above your average order value, apply it automatically, and run it alongside your main Black Friday discount. Free shipping combines with product and order discounts on every Shopify plan.
How do I choose a free shipping threshold?
Section titled “How do I choose a free shipping threshold?”- Find your average order value (AOV) from last year’s sales and recent months.
- Set the threshold around 15-30% above AOV, so most shoppers are one item away.
- Check that the margin on the added items covers the shipping cost you absorb.
- Consider weight and zones: heavy or international orders may need a higher bar or exclusions.
If AOV is $65, a $75 or $80 threshold is a typical starting point.
How to set it up on Shopify (native)
Section titled “How to set it up on Shopify (native)”- Go to Discounts and click Create discount, then Free shipping.
- Choose Automatic discount.
- Select countries and set a minimum purchase requirement.
- Set start and end dates and combination options.
Alternatively, add a conditional shipping rate in Settings > Shipping and delivery with a price-based condition.
How to set it up with PowerX
Section titled “How to set it up with PowerX”Use a Shipping Discount campaign when you need more than a single threshold:
- Create a campaign and choose Shipping Discount.
- Rate selection: all rates, or by name or cost (for example Standard only).
- Conditions: cart subtotal of at least your threshold, plus optional quantity, weight, market or customer conditions.
- Discount: 100% for free, or a percentage or fixed amount off shipping.
- Set Black Friday dates, activate and test.
Useful variations:
| Offer | Setup |
|---|---|
| Free shipping over $75 | Rate: all, subtotal >= $75, 100% |
| Free Standard for VIPs, no minimum | Rate name contains “Standard”, customer tag VIP, 100% |
| 50% off Express over $100 | Rate name contains “Express”, subtotal >= $100, 50% |
| Free shipping in one market only | Market qualifier, 100% |
Does free shipping stack with other discounts?
Section titled “Does free shipping stack with other discounts?”Yes. Shopify supports order + free shipping and product + free shipping combinations on all stores, and only one shipping discount applies per order. Shipping discounts are calculated last, after product and order discounts. Test a cart that is above the threshold before discounts but below it after, to confirm the result you expect.
- Show a progress bar or message: “Add $12 for free shipping”.
- Keep it simple, one threshold for the whole event.
- Exclude oversized items or use weight conditions.
- Test with a discounted cart that falls just below the threshold.
More: free shipping conditions in the docs, Black Friday setup guide.
How do I offer free shipping over a certain amount?
Section titled “How do I offer free shipping over a certain amount?”Use a free shipping automatic discount with a minimum, or a PowerX Shipping Discount campaign.
What should my threshold be?
Section titled “What should my threshold be?”Slightly above AOV, with the margin checked.
Does free shipping stack with other discounts?
Section titled “Does free shipping stack with other discounts?”Yes, one shipping discount per order.
Can I limit it to some methods?
Section titled “Can I limit it to some methods?”Yes, using rate selection in PowerX.
