# Shipping glossary

**Shipping app**

A configured application that adds a new shipping method to the store and provides online shipping rates to customers at the checkout.

**Shipping request**

POST request sent from Ecwid API to the shipping app with non-encrypted order data in a JSON body. The shipping app must process the request and respond with shipping rates.

**Shipping rate**

Additional cost applied to the order for its delivery to the customer. The cost is added to the order total before customers proceeds to the payment.

**Shipping option**

Shipping rates returned by the app and displayed to customers at the checkout. One app can return multiple shipping options with different rates to one shipping request. For example, offering premium delivery or several pickup locations.

**Shipping method**

A combined view of the shipping options added by the app in Ecwid admin. Provides additional settings to the store owner: "enabled" toggle, shipping zones, handling fees, etc.


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