Last verified: August 12, 2026. Shipping thresholds and delivery fees can change quickly.
How much do you actually have to spend to get free shipping? It depends on the store, membership, payment method, seller, item size and whether you are choosing parcel shipping or local-store delivery.
Free Shipping Minimums at a Glance
| Store | Typical minimum | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $35+ eligible items for many non-Prime orders | Prime: free eligible shipping without the same general cart minimum |
| Walmart | $35 for nonmembers | $6.99 below-minimum fee; Walmart+ eligible shipping has no minimum |
| Target | $35+ | Also free with Target Circle Card or Target Circle 360; otherwise often $5.99 |
| Best Buy | $35+ qualifying items | Marketplace products excluded |
| Petco | $35+ | Several heavy/live/special categories excluded |
| PetSmart | $49+ | Signed-in Treats Rewards members; qualifying standard shipping |
| Kohl’s | $49+ | Standard shipping listed at $8.95 below threshold |
| Macy’s | $49+ general threshold | Card/Star Rewards tiers can lower/eliminate minimum |
Amazon Shipping
For non-Prime shoppers, Amazon’s free-shipping threshold is generally $35 in eligible items. Amazon shows whether items qualify in the cart. Prime members receive fast, free shipping on millions of eligible products without the same general cart minimum; Same-Day and grocery benefits can have separate local minimums.
Walmart Shipping
Walmart separates shipping from local-store delivery. Nonmembers can face a $6.99 below-minimum fee on Walmart.com shipping under $35. Walmart+ members receive free eligible shipping with no order minimum. Local-store delivery follows separate rules and generally uses a $35 order minimum for the free Walmart+ delivery benefit.
Target Shipping
Target gives free shipping on qualifying $35+ orders. Eligible orders can also ship free below $35 when paid with a Target Circle Card or through Target Circle 360. Otherwise Target lists a $5.99 shipping fee for many under-$35 orders.
Best Buy Shipping
Best Buy offers free standard shipping on qualifying orders of $35 or more, calculated after coupons and before tax. Best Buy Marketplace products are excluded from the free-shipping guarantee, and scheduled/specialty items can follow different delivery pricing.
Petco Shipping
Petco offers free standard shipping on qualifying orders of $35 or more. Common exclusions include litter, wild bird food, live/frozen food, aquatic items, white-glove/LTL items and oversized orders.
PetSmart Shipping
Signed-in Treats Rewards members currently receive free standard shipping on qualifying orders over $49. Exclusions and destination restrictions apply.
Kohl’s Shipping
Kohl’s standard shipping is free at $49+. Under that threshold, standard shipping is listed at $8.95. Oversized items can carry surcharges.
Macy’s Shipping
Macy’s general free-shipping threshold is $49, while Macy’s Card and Star Rewards status can lower the threshold or remove it for qualifying members.
Shipping vs. Store Delivery vs. Same-Day vs. Pickup
Shipping usually means a parcel carrier brings an order from a fulfillment center. Store delivery means products are picked locally and brought to your home. Same-day/Express is faster and usually has separate pricing. Pickup can be the cheapest solution when you are below a shipping threshold.
The Free-Shipping Break-Even Rule
If you are $4 short and shipping costs $8.95, adding a $4 item you genuinely need can make sense. If you are $18 short just to avoid a $6.99 fee, paying shipping is cheaper unless those added items were already on your list.
Free Shipping FAQ
Does tax count toward a free-shipping minimum?
Usually no. Thresholds are generally based on qualifying merchandise after discounts and before tax. Gift cards, digital items, oversized products and marketplace items may not count.
Why am I still charged shipping over the minimum?
Common reasons include excluded products, third-party sellers, freight/oversize fees, location surcharges, multiple fulfillment methods or a coupon lowering the qualifying subtotal below the threshold.