How to require Latin characters in Shopify shipping addresses

Short answer: Block non-Latin scripts in address fields when your carrier or warehouse system can only print Latin characters. In Checkpost, choose “Latin characters only in address” from Templates, adjust the values, test it, then save and enable the rule.

The problem

Many warehouse systems and carrier labels can't print Cyrillic, Arabic, Chinese or other non-Latin scripts. These addresses arrive garbled or need manual retyping.

How to set it up

1. Install Checkpost from the Shopify App Store.
2. Open Templates and choose Latin characters only in address.
3. No changes needed.
4. Use Try this rule to test a sample cart, then click Save rule.

The rule

Checkout is blocked when any of these conditions are true:

• Address line 1 matches pattern [^\u0000-\u024F]
• City matches pattern [^\u0000-\u024F]
• Last name matches pattern [^\u0000-\u024F]

Shoppers see: “Please enter your address using Latin (English) characters.” at the address line 1, once they reach checkout.

{
  "name": "Latin characters only",
  "match": "any",
  "conditions": [
    {
      "kind": "text",
      "field": "ship_address1",
      "op": "matches_regex",
      "values": [
        "[^\\u0000-\\u024F]"
      ]
    },
    {
      "kind": "text",
      "field": "ship_city",
      "op": "matches_regex",
      "values": [
        "[^\\u0000-\\u024F]"
      ]
    },
    {
      "kind": "text",
      "field": "ship_last_name",
      "op": "matches_regex",
      "values": [
        "[^\\u0000-\\u024F]"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "message": "Please enter your address using Latin (English) characters.",
  "target": "address1",
  "runOn": "checkout"
}

Where this rule works

These are cart and checkout validations, including supported accelerated checkouts. They are current-cart policies; they do not track previous purchases of a SKU. Shopify excludes POS, recurring subscription orders and native pre-order/Try Before You Buy flows from this API. See Shopify's validation compatibility.

Tips

• Accented Latin characters (é, ñ, ü) are allowed by the default pattern.
• Only enable it for markets where your carrier requires Latin script.

FAQ

Will this block customers from some countries entirely?

Only if they enter their address in a non-Latin script. Most can retype it in Latin characters, and the message asks them to.

Which fields are checked?

Address line 1, city and last name by default. Add more conditions for other fields.

Related rules

Add latin characters only in address to your store