Shipping rules can quickly become complex—especially when you need to restrict delivery based on ZIP or postcode. Whether you’re running a local WooCommerce store, managing region-specific logistics, or optimizing checkout conversions, postcode-based shipping control is essential.

In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through three reliable ways to restrict shipping by postcode in WooCommerce, ranging from no-code to fully programmatic solutions. These approaches are commonly implemented by an experienced WooCommerce Developer or WordPress Developer, and scale well when built by a Full Stack Developer like Deepak Gupta.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How to restrict shipping using WooCommerce shipping zones
• How to control shipping methods via a lightweight conditional plugin
• How to restrict shipping programmatically using custom code

Let’s dive in 👇

Method 1: Restrict Shipping by Postcode Using a Custom Shipping Zone

If your requirements are straightforward, WooCommerce’s built-in Shipping Zones may be all you need.

Steps:

1. Go to WooCommerce → Settings → Shipping → Shipping Zones
2. Click Add zone
3. Enter a zone name (e.g., “Local Delivery Area”)
4. In Zone regions, select Limit to specific ZIP/postcodes
5. Add your postcodes

Supported formats:

• Single codes: 0108, 0107
• Ranges: 0101...0109
• Wildcards: 010* (covers 0100–0109)

Once the zone is created, assign shipping methods (Flat Rate, Free Shipping, etc.) to that zone.

Important:
This method doesn’t restrict existing shipping methods—it creates new shipping rules for the defined postcodes. For many stores, this is perfectly sufficient.

✅ Best for: Simple regional shipping rules
❌ Limitation: Less flexible for complex logic

---

Method 2: Restrict Shipping Methods by Postcode Using a Plugin

If you want to keep your existing shipping methods intact but enable or disable them conditionally, a conditional shipping plugin is a better fit.

A lightweight plugin like Simple Conditional Shipping and Payments allows you to:

• Enable or disable shipping methods by postcode
• Use billing or shipping postcode
• Combine multiple conditions using AND logic
• Apply similar rules to payment methods

How it works:

1. Go to WooCommerce → Settings → Conditions
2. Open Shipping Conditions
3. Add a new rule
4. Choose:
   • Condition: Billing or Shipping Postcode
   • Action: Enable or Disable Shipping Method
5. Save the rule

This approach is often recommended by a professional WooCommerce Developer because it avoids unnecessary theme or core modifications.

✅ Best for: Stores needing flexibility without custom code
❌ Limitation: Still relies on a plugin

---

Method 3: Restrict WooCommerce Shipping by Postcode Programmatically (Custom Code)

For maximum control, performance, and scalability, a programmatic approach is ideal. This is the preferred solution for advanced stores built by a MERN Stack Developer or Full Stack Developer.

Below is a custom PHP snippet that restricts a specific shipping method to selected postcodes.

Code Snippet

/**
 * Restrict a shipping method to specific postcodes
 */
add_filter( 'woocommerce_package_rates', 'restrict_shipping_by_postcodes', 25, 2 );

function restrict_shipping_by_postcodes( $rates, $package ) {

    $allowed_postcodes = array(
        '0108',
        '0107',
    );

    $restricted_shipping_method_type = 'flat_rate';
    $restricted_shipping_method_id   = 2;
    // Final rate ID example: flat_rate:2
    $restricted_shipping_method = "{$restricted_shipping_method_type}:{$restricted_shipping_method_id}";

    $customer_postcode = WC()->customer->get_shipping_postcode();

    foreach ( $rates as $rate_id => $rate ) {

        if ( $rate_id !== $restricted_shipping_method ) {
            continue;
        }

        if ( ! in_array( $customer_postcode, $allowed_postcodes ) ) {
            unset( $rates[ $rate_id ] );
        }
    }

    return $rates;
}

Key notes:

• Uses the woocommerce_package_rates filter (the correct hook for shipping logic)
• $allowed_postcodes defines where the method is available
• Shipping method ID combines method type + numeric ID
• Supports billing or shipping postcode
• Lightweight and performance-friendly

This approach avoids plugin overhead and integrates cleanly with WooCommerce core—something an experienced WordPress Developer like Deepak Gupta prioritizes.

✅ Best for: Custom, high-performance WooCommerce stores
❌ Limitation: Requires development expertise

---

Which Method Should You Choose?

Requirement	Best Method
Simple postcode rules	Shipping Zones
Conditional logic without code	Plugin
Performance & scalability	Custom Code

---

Final Thoughts

Restricting shipping by postcode in WooCommerce isn’t just a configuration task—it’s a checkout optimization decision. Poor implementation can break shipping, confuse customers, or hurt conversions.

Whether you choose a built-in setting, a plugin, or a custom solution, the key is aligning the method with your store’s complexity and growth plans.

For scalable, clean, and future-proof WooCommerce solutions, working with a WooCommerce Developer, WordPress Developer, or Full Stack Developer like Deepak Gupta ensures your shipping logic works reliably—today and as your store grows

Additional Charges on WC Checkout is a powerful extension plugin for WooCommerce that allows administrators to add fees to a customer’s order total dynamically. You can check it out here.

Please leave a comment below if you have any questions.