Types of buffers
In Dashboard, you can set up carrier buffers or service level buffers—each with the option to increase or decrease shipping costs.
-
Carrier buffer - Adjusts shipping costs for all service levels of a chosen carrier, using a percentage or fixed amount.
-
Service level buffer - Adjusts shipping costs for a specific service level by a percentage or fixed amount.
Positive shipping buffers
Add a positive buffer to collect extra funds and offset costs—like international shipping risks, warehousing expenses, or foreign exchange fluctuations.
Here are a couple of examples:
- $3 buffer - If a carrier quotes $15 for shipping, a $3 buffer bumps it to $18. This covers added costs like packaging or labor without cutting into your margins.
- 10% buffer - For a $50 shipping rate, a 10% buffer adds $5, making it $55. It’s a simple way to cushion against losses from theft or customs adjustments.
- 50% buffer - A $20 rate jumps to $30 with a 50% buffer—great for offsetting dimensional weight costs on bulky items.
Negative shipping buffers
Apply a negative buffer to lower shipping costs for customers—perfect for offering competitive rates or rewarding loyal shoppers.
Here are a couple of examples:
- 50% buffer - A $10 shipping rate drops to $5 with a 50% buffer, drawing in price-sensitive buyers with lower costs.
- $10 buffer - If shipping is $20, a $10 buffer lowers it to $10. This discount can thank repeat customers with a better rate.
Add a Carrier buffer
To add a carrier buffer:
-
Log in to Dashboard and go to Settings -> Rates -> Select a Carrier.
-
Under Carrier buffers, click New buffer
-
Enter a buffer name and description
-
Select whether you will increase or decrease shipping by a percent or amount.
-
Enter the start date. By default, 12:00am of the current day is selected so the buffer will be applied instantly. An end date is optional. Buffers scheduled for a future date will appear in the Scheduled tab.
Note Buffers are a type of rule and will also display under Rules in Dashboard.
Add a Service level buffer
To add a Service level buffer:
-
Log in to Dashboard and go to Settings -> Rates -> Select a carrier > Select a specific service level
-
Under Service level buffers, click New buffer
-
Enter a buffer name and description
-
Select whether you will increase or decrease shipping by a percent or amount.
-
Enter the start date. By default, 12:00am of the current date is selected so the buffer takes place immediately. An end date is optional. Buffers scheduled for a future date, will show in the Scheduled tab.
Note Buffers are a type of rule and will also display under Rules in Dashboard.
Archive buffers
To archive an active buffer:
-
Under Carrier buffers or Service level buffers, click into an existing buffer
-
A slide over with the buffer details will display. At the bottom, click Archive
Note Buffers are achived immediately
Recreate buffers
To recreate a buffer from an archived buffer:
-
Under Carrier buffers or Service level buffers, click on the Archived tab.
-
Click into an archived buffer you would like to recreate.
-
Edit the buffer details as needed.
-
Click Recreate buffer
Common questions
If there any specific quesitons you would like answered in this doc, please contact support@zonos.com.
Add shipping buffers
Learn how to adjust shipping costs using buffers.Shipping buffers allow you to adjust the totals shown to your customers at checkout by adding a positive or negative buffer to cushion or subsidize shipping or landed costs.