The verdict in three sentences
A single flat delivery rate loses you money outside your zone, where the real cost is 2 to 3× higher. Automatic calculation by zone, weight and value aligns the charged price with the real cost and gains about 9 margin points. A well-placed free-shipping threshold also cuts cart abandonment by 6 %.
Why the single flat rate is a trap
If you charge 1,500 FCFA everywhere, you overcharge downtown (which abandons) and undercharge the outskirts (which costs you money). Both mistakes get paid for.
| Zone | Real delivery cost | Flat rate 1,500 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown | 800 FCFA | 1,500 FCFA | Customer leaves (too dear) |
| Urban zone | 1,500 FCFA | 1,500 FCFA | Neutral |
| Peri-urban | 3,200 FCFA | 1,500 FCFA | Loss 1,700 FCFA |
| Out of town | 4,500 FCFA | 1,500 FCFA | Loss 3,000 FCFA |
| Heavy parcel (>10 kg) | +2,000 FCFA | 1,500 FCFA | Heavy loss |
The by-zone grid that protects margin
A good system crosses zone × weight × basket value, with free shipping above a threshold that pushes the average basket up.
| Zone | Base | + per kg above 5 kg | Free threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown | 800 FCFA | 150 FCFA | 25,000 FCFA |
| Urban zone | 1,500 FCFA | 200 FCFA | 35,000 FCFA |
| Peri-urban | 3,000 FCFA | 300 FCFA | 50,000 FCFA |
| Out of town | 4,500 FCFA | 400 FCFA | 75,000 FCFA |
The free-shipping threshold acts as a magnet: a customer at 22,000 FCFA adds an item to cross 25,000 and win free delivery. Higher average basket, preserved margin.
Mini case study
Aïcha, who runs an online grocery in Kigali, charges 1,500 FCFA delivery everywhere. Of 350 orders/month, 40 % go peri-urban where her delivery costs 3,000 FCFA: she loses 1,500 FCFA × 140 = 210,000 FCFA/month on those zones alone.
She switches on by-zone calculation. Peri-urban deliveries are now charged at real cost, and the 25,000 FCFA free threshold lifts her average basket from 21,000 to 24,500 FCFA. Result: +9 margin points, abandonment down 6 % downtown (where delivery dropped to 800 FCFA), and about 240,000 FCFA/month recovered between saved margin and bigger baskets.
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FAQ
Does by-zone calculation make customers abandon?
Quite the opposite: downtown, delivery often falls from 1,500 to 800 FCFA, cutting abandonment by 6 %. Only genuinely costly zones pay more, which is fair.
How do I define the zones?
Split the city into 3-4 zones (downtown, urban, peri-urban, out of town) using neighborhoods and GPS. The system automatically assigns the zone from the address entered at checkout.
What's the free-shipping threshold for?
It pushes the average basket up: offering free delivery above 25,000 FCFA nudges customers to add an item. It's often more profitable than a discount.
Can I integrate a carrier?
Yes: carrier APIs return a real-time rate based on weight and distance. Checkout then shows the exact price, with no surprise or loss for you.
How much margin do I gain?
On average 9 margin points in 2026, by no longer subsidizing distant zones and optimizing the free threshold. The setup pays for itself in a few weeks.
Let's talk about your project. We configure your delivery grid by zone, weight and free threshold directly in your checkout. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
