Real-World Use Cases

See how businesses like yours use Ship Restrict to manage shipping compliance and restrictions. Find your industry below for specific setup guidance.

Wine & Alcohol Stores

The Challenge

Every state has different alcohol shipping laws. Some states prohibit all alcohol shipping, others allow wine but not spirits, and many have dry counties within wet states.

How Ship Restrict Helps

Step 1: Set up your categories

• Wine
• Beer
• Spirits
• Non-alcoholic

Step 2: Create restriction rules

Wine shipping restrictions:

• Create tag: "wine"
• Rule: Block from Utah, Mississippi, Alabama, Delaware
• Add dry counties as cities

Different rules for beer vs wine:

• Some states allow wine but not beer
• Create separate rules for each category
• Use clear messages explaining why

Real Store Example

Napa Valley Wine Shop uses Ship Restrict to:

• Block wine shipping to 5 prohibited states
• Restrict 23 dry counties in Texas
• Allow non-alcoholic items everywhere
• Result: Zero compliance violations in 3 years

Quick Setup for Wine Stores

1. Tag all wine products with "wine"
2. Create rule: "Wine State Restrictions"
3. Select states that prohibit wine shipping
4. Add message: "Due to state laws, wine cannot be shipped to your location"
5. Test with addresses in restricted states

Firearms & Ammunition Retailers

The Challenge

Ammunition and firearm accessories have complex state and local restrictions. Magazine capacity limits vary by state, and some cities have their own rules.

How Ship Restrict Helps

Category structure:

Magazine capacity example:

• 10-round magazines: No restrictions
• 30-round magazines: Block CA, NY, CT, MA, etc.
• Use variations for different capacities

Real Store Example

Tactical Gear Store manages 5,000+ SKUs:

• Different restrictions for each magazine capacity
• State-specific ammunition rules
• City-level restrictions for Chicago, NYC
• Result: 100% compliance, 45% increase in successful orders

Quick Setup for Gun Stores

1. Create categories for different product types
2. Use variations for magazine capacities
3. Tag ammunition by caliber if needed
4. Set state restrictions based on current laws
5. Update quarterly as laws change

CBD & Hemp Products

The Challenge

CBD laws are complex and changing. Some states allow all CBD, others restrict THC content, and regulations change frequently.

How Ship Restrict Helps

Product organization:

• Tag products by THC content
• "THC-Free" (0% THC)
• "Full-Spectrum" (<0.3% THC)
• Different rules for each type

State restrictions:

• Idaho: No THC whatsoever
• South Dakota: Unclear laws
• Iowa: Specific regulations

Real Store Example

Natural Wellness CBD handles compliance by:

• Tagging products by THC percentage
• Monthly law review and updates
• Clear customer messaging
• Result: Expanded to 47 states safely

Quick Setup for CBD Stores

1. Tag products: "thc-free", "full-spectrum"
2. Create rules for each tag
3. Block appropriate states
4. Review laws monthly
5. Update rules as needed

Local Delivery Services

The Challenge

You only deliver within a certain radius of your store, or only to specific neighborhoods.

How Ship Restrict Helps

Use "Allow Only" logic:

• List ZIP codes you deliver to
• Block everything else automatically
• Clear message for out-of-area customers

Example setup:

• Store location: Chicago 60601
• Delivery radius: 10 miles
• Add all ZIP codes within radius
• Message: "We deliver within 10 miles of downtown Chicago"

Real Store Example

Farm Fresh Delivery uses Ship Restrict to:

• Limit delivery to 25-mile radius
• Different zones for different products
• Fresh items: 10 miles only
• Frozen items: 25 miles
• Result: 98% on-time delivery rate

Quick Setup for Local Delivery

1. Determine your delivery area
2. Get list of ZIP codes (search online for "ZIP codes near [your ZIP]")
3. Create rule with "Allow only" logic
4. Add your ZIP codes
5. Set helpful message for customers outside area

B2B & Territory Management

The Challenge

You have dealers with exclusive territories, or different distributors for different regions.

How Ship Restrict Helps

Territory management:

• Create tags for each dealer territory
• "dealer-northeast", "dealer-southeast", etc.
• Products tagged by territory
• Use "Allow only" for exclusive areas

Example structure:

Real Store Example

Industrial Supply Co manages 15 dealer territories:

• Each dealer has exclusive ZIP codes
• Products tagged by dealer
• Automatic territory enforcement
• Result: Zero channel conflicts

Quick Setup for B2B

1. Define dealer territories (states or ZIPs)
2. Create tag for each dealer
3. Tag products accordingly
4. Create "Allow only" rules
5. Include dealer contact in message

Hazardous Materials

The Challenge

Certain products can't ship by air, making Hawaii and Alaska problematic. Some items have specific state restrictions.

How Ship Restrict Helps

Common restrictions:

• Block Hawaii & Alaska (air shipping required)
• Restrict specific chemicals by state
• Limit quantities to certain areas

Real Store Example

Chemical Supply Store uses Ship Restrict for:

• Blocking air-shipping states
• State-specific chemical restrictions
• Clear hazmat messaging
• Result: Full DOT compliance

Quick Setup for Hazmat

1. Tag products: "no-air-shipping"
2. Create rule blocking HI, AK
3. Add other restricted states
4. Message: "This item cannot ship by air"
5. Consider ground-only alternatives

Seasonal & Temporary Restrictions

The Challenge

Some products have seasonal shipping restrictions, like chocolate in summer or plants in winter.

How Ship Restrict Helps

Seasonal management:

• Create seasonal tags
• "summer-only", "winter-shipping"
• Enable/disable rules by season
• Or remove tags when season changes

Real Store Example

Gourmet Chocolate Shop:

• No shipping to hot states in summer
• Temperature-based restrictions
• Seasonal rule updates
• Result: 70% reduction in melted shipments

Quick Setup for Seasonal Items

1. Tag products: "heat-sensitive"
2. Create summer rule for hot states
3. Enable May-September
4. Disable October-April
5. Clear message about temperature

Regulated Industries Quick Reference

Common State Restrictions by Industry

Alcohol:

• Prohibited: UT, MS, AL, DE
• Restricted: PA, CT, RI

Ammunition:

• Prohibited: CA, NY, MA, NJ, IL, HI
• Restricted: CT, DC

CBD:

• Prohibited: ID
• Restricted: SD, IA, NE

Tobacco/Vaping:

• Online prohibited: ME, SD, UT, VT
• Restricted: Most states require age verification

Setting Up for Your Industry

Universal Steps

1. Identify your restrictions

   • Research current laws
   • Check competitor policies
   • Consult legal if needed

2. Organize your products

   • Create logical categories
   • Apply consistent tags
   • Document your system

3. Create your rules

   • Start with broad restrictions
   • Add specific exceptions
   • Use clear messages

4. Test thoroughly

   • Try restricted addresses
   • Verify messages appear
   • Check all product types

5. Maintain compliance

   • Review laws quarterly
   • Update rules as needed
   • Keep documentation current

Success Metrics

What successful stores report:

• 95% reduction in compliance violations
• 60% decrease in cancelled orders
• 80% less time spent on manual checking
• 100% peace of mind about compliance

Getting Industry-Specific Help

Resources

• Industry associations often provide compliance guides
• Ship Restrict support can help with setup
• Legal counsel for complex regulations
• Other users in WordPress forums

Pro Features for Regulated Industries

Consider Pro if you have:

• Multiple product types with different rules
• Frequent regulation changes
• Need for detailed documentation
• Large product catalogs

Your industry not listed? Contact us at support@shiprestrict.com for specific guidance. We've helped hundreds of stores across dozens of industries achieve compliance.