The handling cutoff time [handling_cutoff_time] attribute lets you set a daily deadline for processing online orders in your product data sources. This helps Google show customers faster and more accurate delivery times for your products. You can use this attribute to configure cutoff times at various levels, enabling you to showcase your shipping capabilities accurately.
On this page
When to use
It depends: Use this attribute if the merchant is also using the shipping
[shipping] or carrier shipping [carrier_shipping] attributes.
Use the handling cutoff time [handling_cutoff_time] attribute to specify the latest time an order can be placed to still be processed on the same day. This attribute provides the flexibility to configure cutoff times at various levels, enabling you to showcase your true shipping potential.
This attribute is primarily used for online offers but can be configured to account for scenarios including:
- Order cutoff based on user timezone: When you want the cut-off time to apply based on the user's local timezone.
- No order cutoff: If you do not have a specific order cut-off time.
You can use the handling cutoff time [handling_cutoff_time] attribute for:
- Offer level: To apply a consistent cut-off time across all shipping overrides for a particular offer. This is ideal for smaller merchants with less complex configurations.
- Offer-country level: To set a cut-off time that applies to all shipping overrides within a specific country for an offer. This provides country-level granularity.
- Shipping override level: To configure cut-off hours independently for each specific shipping override. This is beneficial for merchants with complex configurations, such as having different cut-off times for same-day delivery versus multi-day shipping options.
The handling cutoff time [handling_cutoff_time] attribute is applicable for various use cases, including setting daily order processing deadlines, aligning with user timezones, adjusting for shipping speeds, managing regional differences, controlling next-day delivery visibility, indicating no daily cutoff, and overriding account-level settings.
Sub-attributes
The handling cutoff time [handling_cutoff_time]attribute uses the following sub-attributes:
Cutoff time
[cutoff_time](Required): This attribute specifies the exact time of day by which an order must be placed to be processed on that same business day. It is typically submitted as a four-digit time using a 24-hour format (e.g., "1500" for 3 PM).Country
[country](optional): This sub-attribute represents the CLDR territory code of the country to which the handling cutoff time applies. If not provided, the cutoff time will apply to all countries.[cutoff_timezone](Optional): This sub-attribute defines the timezone for the specified cutoff_time. If not provided, the system will default to the timezone of the shipping destination. This attribute allows for applying the cutoff based on the user's local timezone (e.g., "5 PM user time").[disable_delivery_after_cutoff](Optional): This boolean setting (true or false) controls the visibility of next-day delivery (NDD) options after the same-day delivery (SDD) cutoff time has passed. Setting it to true means NDD options will be hidden after the SDD cutoff.
Format
Follow these formatting guidelines to make sure Google understands the data you're submitting for the handling cutoff time [handling_cutoff_time] attribute. Learn when and how to submit your product data in English.
Note: When configuring the handling cutoff time [handling_cutoff_time] attribute, you will typically provide both a cutoff time (for example, 1500) and a cutoff timezone. The cutoff timezone is optional; if not specified, the system will default to the timezone of the shipping destination. The sub-attributes for specifying country, and disabling delivery cutoff.
| Fields | Format |
cutoff_time |
Specifies the exact time of day by which an order must be placed to be processed on that same business day. It is typically submitted as a four-digit time using a 24-hour format (e.g., "1500" for 3 PM) |
cutoff_timezone (optional) |
Defines the timezone for the specified cutoff_time. Uses IANA Timezone format (e.g. “America/Los_Angeles”). If not provided, the system will default to the timezone of the shipping destination. This attribute allows for applying the cutoff based on the user's local timezone (e.g., "5 PM user time"). |
country (optional) |
|
disable_delivery_after_cutoff (optional) |
This boolean setting (true or false) controls the visibility of next-day delivery (NDD) options after the same-day delivery (SDD) cutoff time has passed. Setting it to true means NDD options will be hidden after the SDD cutoff. |
|
File format |
Example entry |
|
Text data sources |
Format the name by including which sub-attributes you’re submitting. Include handling cutoff time If the subfields aren’t specified, the attribute looks like: For example, to submit Name: If you name the sub-attributes you're using, you can give them to us in any order. Format the value by submitting the value of each sub-attribute listed in the same order as in the name and separated with a colon ( : ). Don’t use quotation marks. For example: Name : Possible value : To submit multiple countries, submit the attribute (with the same name) multiple times. For example: Name: |
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XML data sources |
Include the optional sub-attributes if you need them. To specify a shipping cost for different delivery locations, submit the handling cutoff time
|
For more details on formatting your data for Content API, visit the Content API for Shopping resource.
Minimum requirements
These are the requirements you need to meet to effectively use the handling cutoff time [handling_cutoff_time] attribute. If you don't follow these requirements, your product information may not be displayed as intended.
- Set order cut-off at the offer: This attribute supports setting cut-off times for online offers at the offer level.
- Specify cut-off time and timezone: Ensure you provide a specific cut-off time and the corresponding timezone. An option to select a local timezone is available.
- Indicate "no order cut-off" when applicable: If your business does not operate with an order cut-off, you can select the "I do not have order cutoff" option.
- Support for varying cut-off configurations: The system is designed to support cut-off times based on user timezone, destination region, and shipping speed. For instance, if you ship from multiple locations (for example, East Coast and West Coast), you can specify different cut-off times for each region (for example ”1500” EST for East Coast and ”1400” PST for West Coast).
- Configure based on shipping speed: You can set different cut-off times for different shipping speeds, such as ”1000” for same-day delivery (SDD) and ”1500” for next-day delivery (NDD).
- Control NDD visibility after SDD cut-off: For same-day delivery (SDD) shipping services, you can decide whether to show next-day delivery (NDD) options to users after the SDD cut-off time has passed.
- Single cut-off configuration per business day: A single cut-off configuration will apply to all days that your handling business days indicate.
Examples
Here are some examples of how merchants model their order cut-off times, illustrating the flexibility of the handling cutoff time [handling_cutoff_time] attribute:
User timezone
No cutoff
Some merchants may not configure an order cut-off time and instead offer flexible delivery windows.