# Shipping and Tax Surprises > Shoppers abandon carts when the final cost at checkout is higher than expected. Showing shipping and tax estimates as early as practical reduces the gap between what the shopper expected to pay and what they actually owe. - Type: Merchant guide - Level: Intermediate - Reading time: About 4 minutes - Audience: Written for store owners, builders, and designers refining high-performance ecommerce stores. - Last updated: 2026-11-04 - Canonical page: https://academy.getzenbasket.com/merchant-questions/shipping-and-tax-surprises/ - Part of: [Merchant Questions](https://academy.getzenbasket.com/merchant-questions/) on ZenBasket Academy --- ## What you need to know ### When should shipping costs appear? Show an estimate as soon as enough information is available — often at the cart stage using a postal code or country selection. A shopper who knows the shipping cost before starting checkout is less likely to abandon on seeing it later. ### What about tax and international charges? Show tax in the cart or early in checkout where applicable. For international orders, include any duties or import fees that will apply. A customer who discovers unexpected charges at payment is unlikely to complete the order. ### Should free shipping thresholds be visible? Yes. A clear message showing how much more is needed to qualify for free shipping can increase order value and reduce abandonment. ### A quick store check Complete checkout from a new location and record every cost that appears at each step. Confirm the total shown at the cart matches the total charged at payment. --- ## Frequently asked questions ### Should I offer free shipping to reduce abandonment? Only if the store's margins support it. Showing costs clearly and early is the first step; free shipping thresholds can help without eliminating the cost entirely. ### Where do I configure shipping rate display? Use current shipping and pickup documentation and test both domestic and international orders before publishing changes. ## Related articles - **Cart and Checkout Abandonment Basics** - **Coupon Codes During Checkout** - [ZenBasket Build Guide](https://help.getzenbasket.com/zenbasket-builder/)