When fallback methods are used

use_fallback_methods_on_empty on the shipping settings resource controls when a merchant's fallback shipping methods are passed through to your channel.

Turned off (the default)

Fallback methods are offered alongside whatever rates the merchant's platform returns. Shoppers see both.

Use this when the fallback methods are genuine everyday options, for example a negotiated flat rate that should always be available next to the platform's carrier rates.

Turned on

The merchant's platform is checked first, and fallback methods are passed through only if no platform rates remain once exclusions are applied, including the free-shipping exclusion and any rule-based shipping exclusions. That makes them a safety net rather than an everyday option.

Use this when the platform's own rates should always win, and the fallback methods exist only to keep checkout working for a merchant whose platform sometimes returns nothing, for example for destinations its shipping zones do not cover.

This setting only matters while platform rates are being passed through. With exclude_external_methods turned on, applicable fallback methods already replace the platform's rates.

Updating the setting

PATCH /merchants/{merchant_id}/shipping-settings
Content-Type: application/merge-patch+json

{
  "use_fallback_methods_on_empty": true
}

Related

• Fallback shipping methods covers defining the methods themselves.

• How Violet shipping works with the merchant's platform explains the overall pass-through model.