Category Based Shipping - How
Access your Shop's Admin Area
Go to Settings > Shipping/Delivery
The page will default to Checkout Options
Click Add Custom Method
Enter Shipping Names under "Basic" and "Displayed to Customer"
Select Based on Category from the Method Type drop down
Choose the applicable Category(ies)
Add Cart Totals (as needed)
Add Shipping Charge
Select a relevant Zone e.g. United Kingdom under County/Zones
Hit Save
Be sure to select "Enabled/Visible"
Category Based Shipping - Why
There are a variety of reasons why you may want to setup a shipping method based on the category an item is assigned to. For example:
Large or heavy items e.g. furniture, etc.
Specialist items e.g. hazardous products, paints, etc.
Custom or personalised products e.g. bespoke or made-to-order products, etc.
Products with a long lead time e.g. items that need to be bought in from a manufacturer/supplier prior to sending.
In any and all of these cases it's essential that you let the customer know a rough idea of how long the product will take to ship to them. This sets their expectations and means, as long as you deliver on time, that they won't be chasing you for the product(s) or looking longingly out the window for the delivery man!