> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sourcemedium.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How do I surface Shipping Costs within my dashboard?

> How to add shipping costs via the configuration sheet so they’re reflected in executive and LTV/profit metrics.

## Requirements

Inserted **shipping costs** on the **Financial Cost - Shipping** tab on the configuration sheet

## Background

Keeping track of `shipping costs` is crucial for your business. It is a significant expense that directly affects your profitability at the customer, order, and product levels and is included as part of our COGS (Cost of Goods Sold) and Gross Profit metrics.

## Steps

1. Input your **Shipping Costs** within your **Configuration Sheet**

   1. Go to the **Financial Cost - Shipping** Tab
   2. Enter the below:
      * category = Financial
      * channel (e.g. Online DTC, Amazon)
      * expense\_channel = Shipping Cost
      * region - *If the region you want to add is not a part of the drop down, please let the team know and we will add it.*
      * fixed cost/order - *This is your shipping cost per order*
      * date\_start
      * date\_end <br />

   *Note: date\_start and date\_end can be used to capture changes in shipping costs over time. You will be able to change these date fields historically and in the future in case of updates to shipping costs and our data model will update accordingly.*

   *It is imperative to make sure you include a date\_end date as the row will not be included if there is not date\_end included.*

   Here's a [VIDEO](https://www.loom.com/share/059597af145244aeacb4b931b7c8e2b6) on how to enter the costs.

2. Please let the SourceMedium team know that you've inputted the shipping costs and we will enable costs to be picked up automatically moving forward. *Historical data can be inputted into this sheet to update the costs of prior orders as well.*

## How and where these costs surface in the dashboard?

#### Tables where these costs are currently available:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Executive Summary">
    * Called `shipping cost`
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="LTV & Retention">
    * Called `allocated shipping cost / cumulative allocated shipping cost`
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Orders">
    * Called `shipping cost`
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Product Performance">
    -Called `allocated shipping cost`
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## FAQs

#### What happens if no date\_end date is provided?

It is imperative to make sure you include a date\_end date as the order/row will not be included if it does not have a date\_end date.