According to Amazon Customer Service in Amazon's shipping help page and Target Help in Target's shipping policy, back-to-school orders need $35 for free shipping. A free-shipping threshold is the minimum cart total that unlocks free delivery. Small lists often miss the cutoff and trigger fees. Combining supplies, choosing pickup, or using a membership can close the gap.
Table of Contents
- What counts toward the $35?
- Can a membership or card drop the minimum?
- What about Staples and Office Depot?
- How to keep a small order fee-free?
What counts toward the $35?
Amazon Customer Service sets the bar at $35 in eligible items shipped by Amazon. Eligible book orders qualify at $25.
Those orders arrive 5-8 business days after availability. Target Help counts $35 after discounts and excludes tax. Shoppers qualify with Target Circle 360, a Target Circle Card, or a $35 order paid any way.
Can a membership or card drop the minimum?
Target Help lists Target Circle 360 membership and Target Circle Card payment as paths to free shipping. They help frequent shoppers who rarely reach $35.
Walmart Corporate says Walmart+ members get free shipping on Walmart.com items with no order minimum. Store pickup and delivery generally still use a $35 minimum to avoid fees.
What about Staples and Office Depot?
Staples says orders of $35 or more get free next-day delivery to over 98% of the U.S. in Staples free next-day delivery page.
That covers bulk supplies and electronics accessories. Office Depot advertises free next-business-day delivery on all ink and toner. Fast store pickup lets printing-supply buyers skip standard thresholds.
How to keep a small order fee-free?
Marketplace, third-party, oversized, freight, and vendor-direct items often fall outside free-shipping minimums. Walmart Help Center and Target Help note surcharges and exclusions, so check the shipped-by label or choose free pickup.
According to Walmart Help Center in Walmart shipping and pickup guide, orders under $35 carry a $6.99 below-minimum fee. Standard store delivery lists at $9.95 unless waived, while pickup over $35 stays free.
- Confirm the shipped-by label shows Amazon, Target, or Walmart before counting toward $35.
- Use free store pickup when the cart sits below $35.
- Target Help limits its $35 offer to the 48 contiguous states plus military APO/FPO addresses, excluding Alaska, Hawaii, protectorates, and prior orders.
