FlexiFeesHow to add a core charge on Shopify
Last updated: July 18, 2026
A core charge is a refundable deposit on auto parts with reusable cores: alternators, starters, calipers, batteries. On Shopify, tag those parts and create a fixed per-product fee titled "Core charge (refundable)". FlexiFees adds the deposit per part as its own line item, and you refund that line when the old core comes back.
The rule in FlexiFees
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Fee title | Core charge (refundable) |
| Calculation | Fixed amount, per product fee |
| Amount | Your core deposit, for example 45.00 USD |
| Taxable | Per your state's rule (often on) |
| SKU | CORE |
| Condition | Product tag is one of core-charge |
Handling multiple core amounts
Core deposits differ by part: an alternator core might be 45 USD, a diesel injector core 90. Create one fee per amount with a matching tag:
| Tag | Fee | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| core-45 | Core charge (refundable) | $45.00 |
| core-90 | Core charge (refundable) | $90.00 |
| core-150 | Core charge (refundable) | $150.00 |
Fees stack independently, so a cart with one part from each tier shows the right total across the core lines. Alternatively, target exact parts with the SKU condition instead of tags.
Why a line item beats a hidden markup
- The customer sees the deposit and understands it comes back, which sells remanufactured parts instead of scaring buyers off with a higher sticker price.
- Refunding is exact: you refund the core line, not an arbitrary partial amount.
- With the CORE SKU, your open core liability is one report filter away.
Not tax or legal advice. Core charge taxability varies by state; confirm the right taxable setting with your tax advisor.
Related
- Keg and container deposits: the same pattern for beverages and packaging
- How refunds on fee lines work
- SKU condition for part-number precision