# Weight-Based Order Limits

> Source: https://primemoq.app/help/rule-types/order-weight-limits
> Collection: Rule Types
> Updated: 2026-08-02

Set a minimum or maximum total shipping weight in lb or kg, for freight, pallet and LTL constraints that unit counts cannot express.

**Short answer.** A weight rule blocks checkout unless the total weight of matching products in the cart meets a minimum, stays under a maximum, or both, measured in lb or kg. Set Limit type to Weight. The check reads the weight field on each product or variant in Shopify, so a product with no weight counts as zero.

## Key takeaways

- Weight rules read the Shopify weight field. A missing weight is silently treated as zero.
- Audit your product weights before relying on a maximum-weight rule for freight decisions.
- Combined total is the usual mode, since a weight cap is a shipment-level constraint.
- Switching the unit between lb and kg does not convert a number you already entered.

## Before you start

- A weight set on every product or variant in scope, in Shopify

## What it does

A **weight** rule blocks checkout unless the total weight of matching products in
the cart meets a minimum, stays under a maximum, or both, set in **lb** or
**kg**. It is built for freight-sensitive products where the real constraint is
neither unit count nor money value but physical shipping weight.

| Goal | Example |
|---|---|
| Freight and LTL logic | Only allow orders once total weight qualifies for your carrier's minimum |
| Pallet-based shipping | Cap an order at the maximum weight one pallet configuration can safely carry |
| Heavy-goods minimums | Require a minimum weight so a shipment is worth dispatching at all |

## Product weights have to be right first

The check relies entirely on the **weight field on each product or variant** in
Shopify. If a product's weight is 0 or unset, it contributes nothing to the
total, which can make a genuinely heavy order pass a maximum-weight rule.

Audit your product weights before relying on a weight-based rule for freight
decisions. This is the single most common cause of a weight rule that never seems
to trigger.

## Create the rule

**Start from the quick-start tile, or from scratch.** The **Weight limits** tile
opens a rule pre-filled with a maximum weight of 100. Otherwise go to **Rules >
Create rule** and set **Limit type** to **Weight**.

**Set the thresholds and the unit.** Enter **Minimum total weight**, **Maximum
total weight**, or both, and choose the **Unit**, lb or kg.

**Choose applied products.** Scope this to the heavy-goods collection or product
type the weight logic applies to. A store-wide weight cap rarely makes sense if
you sell a mix of light and heavy products.

**Choose how to count.** **Combined total** adds the weight of every matching
product together, which is the usual choice for a shipment-level cap. **Each item
separately** requires every individual matching product to independently fall
inside the range, which is unusual unless each product is variably weighted.

**Save.**

## Verify it works

| Cart total weight | Expected result |
|---|---|
| 550 lb against a 500 lb maximum | Blocked, limit message shown |
| 400 lb | Allowed |

The **Preview** card multiplies the sample product's per-unit weight by the
quantity stepper live, so you can watch the message trigger as it crosses your
threshold. Then add enough matching weight to a live cart and confirm both the
product-page message and the checkout block.

## Common mistakes

- **The rule never triggers.** Check that every product in scope actually has a
  weight set in Shopify. A missing weight is treated as zero.
- **Unit mismatch.** Confirm the threshold is in the unit you intended. Switching
  between lb and kg does not convert a number already entered.
- **Light products caught unexpectedly.** Narrow the Products scope to the
  collection the weight logic is genuinely meant for.

## FAQ

### Where does Prime MOQ get the weight from?

From the weight field on each product or variant in Shopify, the same value Shopify uses to calculate carrier shipping rates. Prime MOQ does not store its own weights.

### What happens if a product has no weight set?

It contributes zero to the total. Against a maximum-weight rule, that means a heavy cart can pass the check, and against a minimum-weight rule the cart never qualifies. Auditing weights is the fix.

### Does switching from lb to kg convert my threshold?

No. The number you typed stays as it was and is then read in the new unit, so 500 lb becomes 500 kg. Re-enter the value after changing the unit.

### Does the weight include packaging?

No. Only the product weights set in Shopify are counted. If your packaging adds meaningful weight, build that allowance into your threshold.

### Can I set both a minimum and a maximum weight?

Yes. A minimum of 200 lb with a maximum of 2,000 lb expresses "worth dispatching, but within one pallet", which is a common freight setup.

### Can I limit weight for one country only?

Yes. Set Countries under Customer eligibility to Selected countries. Freight-driven weight rules often only apply to certain shipping zones.

**Best for:** Freight-sensitive product lines, palletised and LTL shipping, and any store where physical weight rather than unit count or price is the real constraint.

**Applies to:** Weight limit type