--- title: "Product Shipping Restrictions" description: "The Product Shipping Restrictions add-on lets you control which shipping methods appear at checkout depending on what is in the cart." url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6/apps-and-extensions/apps/app-restrictbyshipping" markdown_url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6/apps-and-extensions/apps/app-restrictbyshipping.md" last_updated: "2026-10-23T02:33:38+00:00" version: "J2Commerce 6" breadcrumbs: - title: "Home" url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/" - title: "J2Commerce 6" url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6" - title: "Apps and Extensions" url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6/apps-and-extensions" - title: "Apps" url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6/apps-and-extensions/apps" - title: "Product Shipping Restrictions" url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6/apps-and-extensions/apps/app-restrictbyshipping" --- # Product Shipping Restrictions The Product Shipping Restrictions add-on lets you control which shipping methods appear at checkout depending on what is in the cart. Restrictions can be set per product, per variant, or inherited from a Joomla content category. Two modes are available: **Simple** (pick allowed methods per product) and **Advanced** (create named restriction groups with geo zone and postal code rules). ## Purchase and Download The **Product Shipping Restrictions** app is a separate add-on available from the [J2Commerce Extensions Store](https://www.j2commerce.com/extensions/apps). It is not included with the core J2Commerce 6 component. **Step 1:** Go to the [J2Commerce website](https://www.j2commerce.com/extensions/apps) -> **Apps**. **Step 2:** Locate the **Product Shipping Restrictions** app -> click **View Details** -> **Add to cart** -> **Checkout**. **Step 3:** Go to **My Downloads** under your profile menu at the top right corner and search for the app. Click **Available Versions** -> **View Files** -> **Download**. ## Install the App You can install this **Product Shipping Restrictions** App using the Joomla installer. The following steps help you with a successful installation. In the Joomla admin, go to **System -> Install -> Extensions** Upload the plugin `app_restrictbyshipping.zip` file or use the Install from URL option. ![Install extensions](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/v4/assets/app%20install1%20%281%29%20%281%29.webp) ## Enable the App Once you have installed the App, you will need to enable it. There are **two** ways you can access the extension. **Option A:** Go to the **J2Commerce** icon at the top right corner **-> Apps** **Option B:** Go to **Components** on the left sidebar **-> J2Commerce -> Apps** ![shipping method](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/accordions-app.webp) Search for **Product Shipping Restrictions**, click the **X,** and it will turn into a green checkmark. It is now enabled and ready for setup. ![Joomla Apps list searched for restrict, with the Product Shipping Restrictions status icon highlighted as a green checkmark showing it is enabled](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/restrict-shipping-enable.webp) > **Legacy data migration:** If you are upgrading from J2Store 4, the installer automatically migrates existing restriction groups from the `j2store_shippingrestrictions` table into the new `j2commerce_apprestrictbyshipping_groups` table. No manual migration is needed. ## Configure the App Go to **J2Commerce** -> **Apps** and click **Product Shipping Restrictions** title to open the plugin settings. > **Tip:** Click the **Toggle Inline Help** button in the toolbar and the app will show a description below each field as you configure it. ![Product Shipping Restrictions settings with Toggle Inline Help highlighted and help text explaining Simple versus Advanced restriction mode](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/restrict-shipping-toggle.webp) ### Basic Settings tab The extension offers two **Shipping Restriction Modes**. Choose the one that best fits your needs: - **Simple Mode:** (Recommended for Most Users) Best for stores that need basic shipping method restrictions on a per-product basis. **How it works:** You select which shipping methods are allowed for each product directly on the product edit page. - **Advanced Mode:** Best for stores with complex shipping requirements involving geographic restrictions, zip code limitations, and user group restrictions. **How it works:** You create "Restriction Groups" that combine multiple rules, then assign these groups to products. --- **Debug Mode:** Enable debug logging. Logs are written to the Joomla log. Disable in production. ## Simple Mode ![Product Shipping Restrictions settings with the Shipping Restriction Mode switch highlighted as Simple, plus fallback and forced shipping method options](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/restrict-shipping-simple.webp) In Simple mode, you select the allowed shipping methods directly on each product's edit form. No restriction groups are needed. ### Simple Mode Settings **If the allowed shipping methods for items in an order are not available, then:** Choose what happens when a product has no shipping restrictions set: - **Don't display any shipping method**: No shipping options shown - **Display all available shipping methods:** Show all options **Force single shipping method:** When multiple methods are allowed across cart items, force only one to appear. Sometimes you may want to allow only one method if that was the restricted shipping option for a product. In those cases, you can choose to force. **If forcing, which method?:** This applies only if the selected method is available for at least one product in the order. If not, all available shipping options are shown. It's the specific method to use when forcing is enabled. Only takes effect if that method is available for at least one item. > **Info:** **NOTE:** This would apply only if the selected method is available for at least one product in the order. If this was not an available shipping option for any of the products in the cart/order, then no forcing will be implemented. Available shipping options would be shown **Always-allowed shipping method:** A method that is always shown regardless of product restrictions (e.g., local pickup). If a selected shipping method is available, it will show in shipping. The shipping method that will always be available regardless of product restrictions ### Assigning Allowed Methods to a Product (Simple Mode) 1. Go to **Content** -> **Articles** and open the product article for editing. 2. Click the **J2Commerce** tab, then the **App** sub-tab. 3. Under **Shipping Restrictions**, select the **Allowed Shipping Methods** for this product. 4. Select `All Methods` to allow everything, or pick specific methods from the list. 5. Click **Save**. ![Product edit screen, Apps tab highlighted, with Product Shipping Restrictions expanded showing Allowed Shipping Methods set to All Methods](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/restrict-shipping-product.webp) --- ## Create Restrictions ![Product Shipping Restrictions plugin toolbar with the Restrictions button highlighted; Shipping Restriction Mode Simple, Debug Mode Never](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/restrict-shipping-restrictions.webp) Click **Create Restriction** ![Shipping Restrictions screen with no groups yet and two Create Restriction buttons highlighted, in the toolbar and in the empty-state message](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/restrict-shipping-restrictions1.webp) You create named **Restriction Groups** that define: - Which **geo zones** (countries/regions) trigger the restriction - Which **postal code ranges** trigger the restriction - Which **shipping methods** are allowed for matching orders - Which **Joomla user groups** the restriction applies to ### Creating a Restriction Group ![Edit Restriction Group form, tab highlighted: Title Hawaii & Alaska, Geo Zone Hawaii & Alaska, empty Zip / Postal Codes, shipping methods, User Groups](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/restrict-shipping-restrictions6.webp) **Title:** A name to identify this group (e.g., "Continental US Only"). **Note:** Optional internal note describing the restriction purpose. **Geo Zone:** One or more geo zones whose countries/regions trigger this restriction. Select all of the Geozones that are restricted from being shipped/sold to. **Zip / Postal Codes:** Comma-separated codes or ranges (e.g., `90210,10001,30000-39999`). If there are specific zip codes or zip code range that are restricted from a state then enter them in. > **Tip:** **NOTE:** This is very helpful when specific counties/cities restrict certain products from being shipped/sold. **Allowed Shipping Methods:** Methods available when this restriction is triggered. **User Groups:** Limit the restriction to specific Joomla user groups. Leave empty to apply to all. **Status:** Enable or disable the group without deleting it. ![Shipping Restrictions list with the Create Restriction button and the Hawaii & Alaska group link highlighted, noted Restrict Shipping to Alaska and Hawaii](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/restrict-shipping-restrictions5.webp) A list of all your restrictions will be listed once they have been created You then assign a restriction group to a product, variant, or category in the **Advanced Mode** tab. ### Assigning a Restriction Group to a Product 1. Open the product article for editing. 2. Click the **J2Commerce** tab, then the **App** sub-tab. 3. Under **Shipping Restrictions**, select the group from the **Restriction Group** dropdown. 4. Click **Save**. ![Product edit screen, Apps tab highlighted, with Product Shipping Restrictions expanded showing the Restriction Group dropdown set to Hawaii & Alaska](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/restrict-shipping-product2.webp) ### Assigning a Restriction Group to a Variant 1. Open the product article and go to the **Variants** tab. 2. Click a variant row to expand its settings. 3. Under the **Shipping** section, find **Restriction Group** and select the group. 4. Click **Save**. ![Product variant panel with the Variants heading, Shipping box and Restriction Group dropdown highlighted, set to Hawaii & Alaska](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/restrict-shipping-variable1.webp) ### Assigning Restrictions to a Category Category-level restrictions apply to **all** products in a specific category (when no product-level restriction is set). 1. Go to **Content** -> **Categories** and open the category for editing. 2. Click the **Shipping Restrictions** fieldset (added by the plugin). 3. **Simple mode:** select the allowed methods. **Advanced mode:** select the restriction group. 4. Click **Save**. ![Joomla Edit Category for Merch, Shipping Restrictions tab highlighted, with the Restriction Group dropdown highlighted and set to Hawaii & Alaska](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/restrict-shipping-category.webp) > **Precedence:** Product-level restrictions take priority over category-level restrictions. Variant-level restrictions take priority over product-level restrictions. --- ## Advanced Mode Settings **Display Restricted Message:** Show a geo-zone restriction notice on the **Product View**, **Category View**, **both**, or not at all. ![Product Shipping Restrictions settings: Shipping Restriction Mode Advanced and Display Restricted Message dropdown open with four options highlighted](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/restrict-shipping-advanced.webp) --- ## Restriction Notices on the Storefront When **Display Restricted Message** is enabled, a notice appears on the product or category page telling the customer which regions or postal codes restrict the product's available shipping methods. On **variable products**, the notice updates dynamically when the customer selects a different variant — no page reload needed. On the **checkout shipping/payment step**, if the customer's delivery address falls within a restricted zone and no allowed shipping method is available, a warning banner is displayed listing the restricted cart items. ## Frontend Product View **Product View Only** ![Product page for Put Your Nuts In My Mouth with a highlighted notice below Add to Cart saying it is restricted in the following regions: Alaska, Hawaii](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/restrict-shipping-message1.webp) **Product View Only** (it will also show up on the category view if you assigned it in the main category section) ![Merch category listing with the region box highlighted under Put Your Nuts In My Mouth: Restricted in the following regions, Alaska, Hawaii](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/restrict-shipping-message3.webp) **Category View Only** ![Merch category listing with the Restricted from shipping in Alaska, Hawaii line highlighted under each of the three products](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/restrict-shipping-message2.webp) **Product and Category View** (It will show the message on the whole category as well as which product has the restriction) ![Merch category listing where a restricted product shows an Alaska, Hawaii region box and all three products show a restricted-from-shipping line, highlighted](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/restrict-shipping-message.webp) --- ## Frontend Checkout View ![Checkout page with a red Restricted Items in Your Cart notice highlighted, listing Ring of Fire with a Remove from Cart button above Continue](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/restrict-shipping-checkout1.webp) ## GeoZone Configuration Restriction groups use J2Commerce geo zones to define geographic coverage. Set up your geo zones before creating restriction groups. 1. Go to **J2Commerce** **-> Localization -> Geo Zones**. 2. Create or edit a geo zone and add the countries and zones it covers. 3. Reference the geo zone in your restriction groups. ![J2Commerce menu open on Localization with the Localization group and its Geozones item highlighted, beside the Geo Zones list in the background](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/restrict-shipping-geozones.webp) --- ## Troubleshooting ### No shipping methods appear at checkout **Cause:** A restriction group is assigned, the customer's address matches a restricted zone, and the allowed methods list in the group is empty or none of the listed methods are available. **Solution:** 1. Open the restriction group and verify the **Allowed Shipping Methods** field is not empty. 2. Confirm at least one of the listed methods is published and active in **J2Commerce** -> **Shipping** -> **Shipping Methods**. 3. Check that the customer's shipping zone matches the geo zones in the group. ### The restriction notice does not appear on the product page **Cause:** **Display Restricted Message** is set to **Do Not Display**, or the product has no restriction group assigned. **Solution:** Open plugin settings, set **Display Restricted Message** to **Product View Only** or **Product and Category Views**, and verify a restriction group is assigned to the product. ### Variant restriction not updating on variant selection **Cause:** The `j2commerce:variantUpdated` custom event is not being dispatched by the active theme after a variant price AJAX call. **Solution:** Verify the active theme dispatches the `j2commerce:variantUpdated` event with variant data in the `detail` property after a variant selection. The plugin listens for this event to update the displayed restriction information. ### Debug logging Enable **Debug Mode** in the plugin settings to write detailed log entries to `administrator/logs/app_restrictbyshipping.php`. Review this file when diagnosing unexpected shipping method filtering behavior.