Learn how to control exactly where your products can and cannot ship using Ship Restrict's location features.
Types of Location Restrictions
Ship Restrict lets you control shipping at three levels:
- States - Block or allow entire states
- Cities - Target specific cities
- ZIP Codes - Precise neighborhood-level control
You can use one or combine all three for maximum control.
State Restrictions
The simplest and most common type of restriction.
How to Block States
- Go to WooCommerce → Ship Restrict
- Create a new rule or edit a product
- In the States dropdown, select states to restrict
- Hold Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) to select multiple states
Example: Block shipping to California and New York
- Select both CA and NY from the list
- Save your rule
Common State Restrictions
Alcohol: Many states restrict alcohol shipping
- Commonly restricted: Utah, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Mississippi
Ammunition: State laws vary widely
- Often restricted: California, New York, Massachusetts, Hawaii
CBD Products: Some states have unclear laws
- Check current status: Idaho, South Dakota, Nebraska
City Restrictions
Target specific cities without blocking entire states.
Setting City Restrictions
Ship Restrict uses city-state pairs to avoid confusion (many cities share names).
- Click Add Another City
- Select the state first
- Type the city name
- Add more cities as needed
Important: Always include the state to avoid confusion:
- ✅ Springfield, IL
- ✅ Springfield, MO
- ❌ Just "Springfield" (which one?)
City Name Tips
Be consistent with spelling:
- Customers might type "St. Louis" or "Saint Louis"
- Add both versions to cover all cases
Common variations to include:
- St. / Saint
- Mt. / Mount
- Ft. / Fort
Case doesn't matter:
- "Los Angeles" = "los angeles" = "LOS ANGELES"
Example: Dry Counties
Some counties prohibit alcohol sales:
- Create an "Alcohol" category
- Add a restriction rule
- Add each dry county as a city:
- Moore County, TN (home of Jack Daniel's!)
- Borden County, TX
- And others as needed
ZIP Code Restrictions
Perfect for precise delivery areas or exclusive territories.
Adding ZIP Codes
Enter ZIP codes separated by commas:
- Single:
90210 - Multiple:
90210, 90211, 90212 - With spaces:
90210, 90211, 90212(works fine)
Note: Enter only 5-digit ZIP codes, not ZIP+4
Common Uses for ZIP Codes
Local Delivery Zone
- Your store ZIP: 60601
- Delivery area: 60601, 60602, 60603, 60604, 60605
- Use "Allow only" to limit delivery to these ZIPs
Exclusive Dealer Territory
- Dealer covers: Downtown Manhattan
- Block ZIPs: 10001, 10002, 10003, 10009
- Other dealers handle their own ZIP codes
Service Area Restrictions
- Fresh food delivery within 10 miles
- List all ZIP codes in your delivery radius
- Products only ship to those areas
Block vs Allow Logic
Ship Restrict offers two ways to use location restrictions:
"Block From" (Default)
Prevents shipping TO selected locations.
Example: Block California
- Ships everywhere EXCEPT California
- Good for compliance restrictions
- Use when most places are OK, few are restricted
"Allow Only"
ONLY ships to selected locations.
Example: Allow only Texas
- Ships ONLY to Texas
- Good for local delivery
- Use when you serve limited areas
Which Should You Use?
Use "Block From" when:
- You ship nationally with few exceptions
- Following state compliance laws
- Most locations are acceptable
Use "Allow Only" when:
- You're a local business
- You have exclusive territories
- You serve specific regions only
Combining Location Types
Use multiple location types together for precise control.
Example Combinations
Wine Shop
- Block states: Utah, Pennsylvania (state laws)
- Block cities: Dry counties in Texas
- Allow ZIPs: Your local delivery area
Regional Distributor
- Allow states: Your service region
- Block cities: Areas with poor delivery access
- Block ZIPs: Problematic neighborhoods
B2B with Territories
- Allow states: Dealer's territory
- Block cities: Competitor's exclusive areas
- Allow ZIPs: Specific business districts
Tips for Managing Locations
Start Broad, Then Refine
- Start with state-level restrictions
- Add city restrictions for exceptions
- Use ZIP codes for fine-tuning
Keep Lists Updated
Regular reviews:
- Laws change - check quarterly
- Service areas expand - update ZIPs
- New restrictions arise - add promptly
Test Your Restrictions
Test addresses to try:
California: 123 Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90001
New York: 456 Broadway, New York, NY 10001
Texas: 789 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
Florida: 321 Ocean Dr, Miami, FL 33139
Document Your Reasons
Keep notes on why locations are restricted:
- "California - Prop 65 requirements"
- "Chicago - Local dealer exclusive"
- "90210 - High fraud area"
Common Scenarios
Scenario 1: Alcohol Retailer
Setup:
- Block states that prohibit alcohol shipping
- Block dry counties within allowed states
- Message: "We cannot ship alcohol to your location due to local laws"
Scenario 2: Local Farm Delivery
Setup:
- Use "Allow only" logic
- Add ZIP codes within 25 miles
- Message: "We deliver fresh produce within 25 miles of our farm"
Scenario 3: Hazardous Materials
Setup:
- Block Hawaii and Alaska (air shipping required)
- Block specific cities with restrictions
- Message: "This item cannot be shipped by air"
Troubleshooting Location Issues
Restriction Not Working?
Check these common issues:
- Is the customer entering city names differently?
- Are you using 5-digit ZIPs (not ZIP+4)?
- Did you select the right logic (Block vs Allow)?
City Names Not Matching?
Solutions:
- Add common variations (St. vs Saint)
- Check for typos
- Ensure state is selected
ZIP Codes Not Blocking?
Verify:
- Using commas between ZIPs
- Only 5 digits (not 90210-1234)
- No extra spaces or characters
Best Practices
For States
- Review state laws quarterly
- Block entire states when laws require
- Keep documentation of why states are blocked
For Cities
- Always use state-city pairs
- Include name variations
- Test with real addresses
For ZIP Codes
- Keep lists organized
- Update as service areas change
- Use for precise territorial control
Questions? Our support team can help you set up location restrictions for your specific needs. Contact us at support@shiprestrict.com