FlexiFeesKeg & reusable container deposits on Shopify
Last updated: July 18, 2026
Breweries, beverage wholesalers, and suppliers shipping in returnable packaging charge a refundable deposit per keg, crate, or cylinder. On Shopify, mark returnable containers by product type or tag and create a fixed per-product fee titled "Keg deposit (refundable)". The deposit scales with quantity and is refunded as a line item when containers return.
The rule in FlexiFees
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Fee title | Keg deposit (refundable) |
| Calculation | Fixed amount, per product fee |
| Amount | Your deposit, for example 30.00 per keg |
| SKU | KEG-DEP |
| Condition | Product type is one of Keg |
Patterns that work
- Multiple container classes. One fee per class and amount: 30 for kegs, 5 for crates, 80 for gas cylinders, each with its own type or tag. Mixed orders get each deposit as its own labeled line.
- Exempt B2B accounts. Distributors on a container pool agreement skip deposits via a negative customer tag condition (tag is not one of deposit-exempt).
- Size differences. When one product has 20L and 50L variants with different deposits, target the variants with the variant metafield or variant IDs condition.
Why itemized deposits matter
A deposit hidden in the product price inflates your revenue, confuses refunds, and hides the incentive to bring containers back. As a line item with its own SKU, the deposit is visible to the customer, refundable in one click, and reportable as a liability instead of income. Merchants on the Shopify forums ask exactly this: "How can I charge a refundable deposit for item containers?", and this is the answer.
Related
- Core charges: the same pattern for auto parts
- Bottle deposits (Pfand) for consumer beverages
- Customer tag condition for B2B exemptions