Delivery Date vs Dispatch Date Selection
Last Updated: Mar 13, 2026
Date picker showing both delivery date (customer-facing) and calculated ship date (backend).
One of the most common objections to offering delivery date selection is I can't guarantee a delivery date - carrier delays happen and I don't want to promise what I can't control. Dispatch date selection solves this. Instead of committing to when an order arrives, you commit to when it leaves your warehouse - giving customers flexibility and control over their order timeline without holding you to a carrier-dependent guarantee. Food brands choose delivery dates because arrival freshness matters. Brands with carrier-variable transit times choose dispatch dates to give customers control while avoiding overpromises. Flare supports both - and automatically calculates the other date for fulfillment.
How Flare Solves It.
Choose delivery date or dispatch date per store
Configure whether customers select when their order arrives or when it dispatches. Flare calculates the other date automatically based on transit times and shipping method - both dates appear on the order for fulfillment.
Dispatch date selection lets customers choose when their order leaves your warehouse - giving them control over timing without requiring you to guarantee a carrier-dependent arrival date. The order dispatches on the selected date and arrives when the carrier delivers it.
Display both dates to customers or keep it simple
Show customers Dispatches January 12 - Estimated delivery January 15 for full timeline transparency, or show only the date type most relevant to your business. Fully configurable in Flare.
Remove the delivery date guarantee objection
Offer dispatch date selection instead of delivery date selection for carrier-dependent shipments. Customers get date flexibility and control, you commit only to when the order leaves - not when it arrives.
Customers who want orders dispatched at a specific time can self-select instead of emailing to request it. Reduces manual order management and gives customers the control they're looking for.
Fulfillment team sees both dates automatically
Whether customers select delivery or dispatch date, your fulfillment team sees both on every order. No manual calculation, no counting backwards from delivery date to work out when to ship.
See Real Examples.
Time4sleep
Cut-off times, postcode rules, product lead times and shipping rates by date.
EXALT.
Cut-off times, subscription recurring order logic and Express Payment option compatibility.
44 Farms.
Shipping methods and transit days by zip code, available dates by shipping method and shipping rates.
Who This is For.
Used by 700+ Shopify brands across categories like:
How to Setup.
Configuration screen showing toggle between delivery date and shipping date selection modes.
See Related Features
How is this different from Shopify's native shipping settings?
Can I switch between delivery and dispatch date selection?
Can I show both dates to customers?
Does dispatch date selection work with subscriptions?