How can I use conditional logic to set shipping rates based on product categories

1. Using Conditional Shipping and Payments Plugin

The Conditional Shipping and Payments plugin by WooCommerce allows you to create rules to restrict shipping methods based on product categories. Here's how you can set it up:

1. Install and activate the Conditional Shipping and Payments plugin.
2. Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping > Conditions.
3. Click on Add Rule to create a new rule.
4. In the Conditions section, select Product Categories and choose the category or categories you want to apply the rule to.
5. In the Actions section, select the shipping method(s) you want to enable or disable for the chosen product categories.
6. Save the rule.

Now, the selected shipping method(s) will be available or unavailable based on the product categories in the customer's cart.

2. Using Custom Code

You can also use custom code to implement conditional shipping rates based on product categories. Here's an example:

php
add_filter( 'woocommerce_package_rates', 'apply_category_based_shipping_rates', 10, 2 );
function apply_category_based_shipping_rates( $rates, $package ) {
    $category_based_rates = array();

    foreach ( $package['contents'] as $item_key => $item ) {
        $product_categories = get_the_terms( $item['product_id'], 'product_cat' );
        if ( $product_categories ) {
            foreach ( $product_categories as $category ) {
                if ( $category->slug === 'category-slug-1' ) {
                    $category_based_rates[ $item_key ] = array(
                        'id'    => 'category-1-shipping',
                        'label' => 'Category 1 Shipping',
                        'cost'  => 10.00,
                    );
                } elseif ( $category->slug === 'category-slug-2' ) {
                    $category_based_rates[ $item_key ] = array(
                        'id'    => 'category-2-shipping',
                        'label' => 'Category 2 Shipping',
                        'cost'  => 15.00,
                    );
                }
            }
        }
    }

    return array_merge( $rates, $category_based_rates );
}

In this example, the `apply_category_based_shipping_rates` function checks the product categories for each item in the cart. If the product belongs to a specific category, it adds a custom shipping rate for that category.

You can customize the category slugs and the shipping rates as per your requirements.

3. Using Advanced Flat Rate Shipping Plugin

The Advanced Flat Rate Shipping for WooCommerce plugin allows you to set up shipping rates based on various conditions, including product categories. Here's how you can use it:

1. Install and activate the Advanced Flat Rate Shipping for WooCommerce plugin.
2. Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping > Flat Rates.
3. Click on Add Shipping Method to create a new flat rate shipping method.
4. In the Conditions section, select Product Categories and choose the category or categories you want to apply the rule to.
5. Set the shipping rate for the selected product categories.
6. Save the shipping method.

Now, the custom flat rate shipping method will be available based on the product categories in the customer's cart.

These are the main ways to implement conditional shipping rates based on product categories in WooCommerce. You can choose the method that best fits your requirements and level of customization.