Is Shopify Available in Sri Lanka? Yes — Here's Everything You Need to Know

If you've been Googling "is Shopify available in Sri Lanka," you can stop searching — the answer is yes. Sri Lankan businesses can sign up for Shopify, build a fully functional online store, and sell to customers locally and internationally. In fact, the number of Shopify stores in Sri Lanka grew 67% year-over-year in Q1 2025, signalling a rapid shift toward eCommerce among local businesses.

That said, there are a few Sri Lanka-specific things you need to know before you launch — particularly around payments. This guide covers everything: what works, what doesn't, and how to set it up the right way.

What Shopify Features Are Available in Sri Lanka?

The core Shopify platform is fully accessible to Sri Lankan merchants. This includes:

• All Shopify subscription plans (Basic, Shopify, Advanced, and Plus)
• Full storefront builder with themes and customisation
• Product listings, inventory management, and discount tools
• Order management and fulfilment workflows
• Shopify App Store — thousands of apps for marketing, logistics, SEO, and more
• Mobile app for managing your store on the go
• Multi-currency display (customers can see prices in LKR)

In short, everything you'd expect from a world-class eCommerce platform is at your fingertips.

The One Catch: Shopify Payments Isn't Available Here

Here's the important caveat Sri Lankan merchants need to know: Shopify Payments — Shopify's built-in payment processor — is not available in Sri Lanka. This means you can't just flip a switch and start accepting cards the way merchants in the US or UK can.

But don't let this put you off. Shopify is designed to work with third-party payment gateways, and Sri Lanka has solid options. You'll just need to connect one manually.

Best Payment Gateways for Shopify in Sri Lanka

Here are the most reliable payment gateway options available to Sri Lankan Shopify merchants:

2. PayHere

PayHere is Sri Lanka's leading payment gateway, and for good reason. It supports local payment methods — credit/debit cards, mobile wallets (FriMi, eZ Cash, mCash), and bank transfers — alongside international cards. PayHere offers a one-click Shopify plugin, making integration straightforward even for non-technical users. It accepts payments in both LKR and international currencies, which is ideal for stores targeting both local and global buyers.

2. Sampath Bank IPG

Sampath Bank's Internet Payment Gateway is a bank-backed option that many established Sri Lankan businesses prefer. It integrates with Shopify and is well-suited for businesses that already bank with Sampath or prefer a traditional bank relationship for their payment processing.

3. DirectPay

DirectPay is another popular local option that supports multiple payment methods. It's a good alternative if PayHere doesn't suit your business model or if you want to compare processing fees.

4. Commercial Bank IPG

Commercial Bank offers a Shopify-compatible payment integration, giving merchants access to card payments via one of Sri Lanka's largest banks.

1. OnePAY (Most Recommended)

OnePAY supports credit/debit cards and QR code payments on Shopify, making it a modern option for businesses wanting to capture the growing QR-payment user base in Sri Lanka.

6. PayPal

PayPal is available for Sri Lankan Shopify merchants and works well for international sales. However, PayPal isn't widely used by local consumers for domestic purchases, so it's best treated as a supplementary option rather than your primary gateway.

How to Set Up Shopify in Sri Lanka: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Create Your Shopify Account

Go to shopify.com and start a free trial. You don't need a local business registration to sign up, but you will need one for payment gateway approval (more on that below).

Step 2: Configure Your Store Settings

Under Settings → General, set your store's currency to LKR (Sri Lankan Rupee) if you're selling locally, or USD if you're targeting international markets. You can also display multiple currencies using Shopify's multi-currency feature.

Step 3: Register for a Payment Gateway

Apply directly with your chosen payment gateway provider (e.g., PayHere). You'll typically need:

• Business registration documents (or personal NIC for sole traders in some cases)
• Bank account details
• A live or near-complete storefront

Approval timelines vary — PayHere is generally faster than bank-based gateways.

Step 4: Connect the Payment Gateway to Shopify

Once approved, install your gateway's Shopify app or follow the manual integration steps provided by the gateway. In Shopify Admin, go to Settings → Payments, choose "Third-party providers," and configure your credentials.

Step 5: Configure Shipping

Set up shipping zones and rates under Settings → Shipping and delivery. For local deliveries, you can partner with logistics providers like PickMe Flash, Kapruka, or regional courier services. For international shipping, DHL, FedEx, and Sri Lanka Post all integrate with Shopify apps.

Step 6: Tax Settings

Register with the Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Department if your turnover exceeds the VAT registration threshold. In Shopify, go to Settings → Taxes and duties and configure VAT (currently 18% in Sri Lanka) as applicable. Shopify can automatically apply and display tax to customers.

Step 7: Launch and Market Your Store

Before going live, test your full checkout flow end-to-end. Once live, Shopify's built-in SEO tools, email marketing apps, and Meta/Google ad integrations will help you drive traffic and grow sales.

Currency and Banking Considerations

One practical issue Sri Lankan Shopify merchants face is foreign exchange. If your payment gateway settles in LKR but you're paying Shopify's monthly subscription in USD, you'll need a USD-capable account or credit card. Most major Sri Lankan banks offer USD accounts or dollar-denominated corporate credit cards — it's worth setting this up before you launch to avoid complications.

Do You Need a Business Registration?

Shopify itself doesn't require a registered business to sign up. However, most local payment gateways do require some form of business verification. The more formal your registration (sole proprietorship, private limited company, etc.), the smoother the gateway onboarding process will be. If you're serious about eCommerce, formalising your business is the right move.

Is Shopify Right for Your Sri Lankan Business?

Shopify is a great fit if you want a professional, scalable online store without building one from scratch. It's particularly strong for:

• Retail businesses going online for the first time
• Brands that want to sell both locally and export internationally
• Businesses that need a reliable, globally trusted platform with lots of app support

If you're a small business primarily selling to Sri Lankan customers and need deep local integrations (e.g., custom POS systems, loyalty programs, or local delivery orchestration), you may want to complement Shopify with local tools — or explore whether a locally-built solution better fits your specific workflows.

Getting Expert Help

Setting up Shopify correctly — with the right payment gateway, tax configuration, and integrations — can be complex. At Konekt, we work with Sri Lankan businesses to implement and customise Shopify stores that are built to convert. Whether you're launching from scratch or migrating from another platform, our team handles the technical heavy lifting so you can focus on growing your business.

Ready to launch your Shopify store in Sri Lanka? [Get in touch with our team](/contact) to discuss your project.

Summary

Shopify is fully available in Sri Lanka. While Shopify Payments isn't supported locally, the platform works seamlessly with third-party gateways like PayHere, DirectPay, and Sampath Bank IPG. With the right setup, Sri Lankan merchants can run a professional, fully-featured Shopify store — selling locally in LKR or expanding internationally — without compromise.