Complete Guide to Setting Up Shopify in Singapore (2026)

If you’re reading this, you’re probably at that crossroads — still selling on Shopee or Lazada, watching your margins get eaten by platform fees, and wondering whether it’s time to build your own store.

I’ve been there. Before I started Soodo, I built my own Shopify brand from scratch in Singapore. I went through every step in this guide the hard way — wrong payment gateway, confused about GST, no idea PSG grants existed. This guide exists so you don’t waste the same months I did.

Here’s everything you need to set up Shopify properly in Singapore in 2026.

1. Why Singapore Brands Choose Shopify

Singapore has a peculiar ecommerce landscape. We have Shopee, Lazada, Carousell, and Qoo10 all competing for the same pool of buyers. Most Singapore brands start on a marketplace because it’s fast and the audience is there. But then the problems kick in:

• Marketplace fees eat 5–20% of every sale
• You have zero customer data (the platform owns it)
• You can’t run your own email list or retargeting
• Your brand is invisible — buyers search the platform, not you
• Price wars with competitors erode margins constantly

Shopify solves all of these. You own the store, the data, the brand relationship.

Why Shopify specifically, vs alternatives?

Wix: Good for portfolio sites, genuinely bad for ecommerce at volume. Inventory management becomes painful above 100 SKUs, and the app ecosystem is thin compared to Shopify. See our full Wix vs Shopify comparison for Singapore small businesses.

WooCommerce: This is a WordPress plugin, which means you’re responsible for hosting, security patches, plugin compatibility, and performance. It can be powerful, but the maintenance overhead is significant for a founder who should be spending time on products and customers, not server updates.

Shopee/Lazada: Keep a presence there for discovery if it works for your category — but don’t let the marketplace be your only channel. When the algorithm changes or they increase commission, you have no fallback.

Shopify’s actual advantages for Singapore brands:

• Purpose-built for ecommerce — the checkout is conversion-optimised out of the box
• Huge app ecosystem (8,000+ apps) — loyalty, subscriptions, bundles, reviews, upsells
• Shopify Markets makes selling across Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia manageable from one dashboard
• Regular platform updates and strong roadmap (agentic commerce, AI product discovery — these matter for 2026 forward)
• Mobile-first by default, which matters when 78% of Singapore online shoppers are on their phones

2. Shopify Plan Comparison in SGD (2026)

Shopify pricing is in USD, but here’s what you’re actually paying in Singapore dollars at current rates (SGD ~1.35 to USD 1):

Plan	Monthly (USD)	Monthly (SGD, approx)	Annual (SGD, approx)	Transaction fee (non-Shopify gateway)
Basic	USD $29	SGD $39–42	SGD $470/yr	2%
Shopify	USD $79	SGD $105–113	SGD $1,270/yr	1%
Advanced	USD $299	SGD $400–432	SGD $4,800/yr	0.5%
Starter	USD $5	SGD $7	—	5%

Annual vs monthly billing: Annual saves roughly 25%. If you’re serious about building a Shopify store, commit to annual — the savings compound fast.

Which plan for a new Singapore store?

• Starter: Only for social selling (Instagram/WhatsApp) — no full storefront
• Basic: Right for most new stores. Handles up to 2 staff accounts. The 2% transaction fee stings on higher volume, so watch your numbers
• Shopify Plan: Step up when you’re doing SGD $10K+/month in revenue — the transaction fee savings often cover the plan cost increase
• Advanced: For high-volume or when you need advanced reporting and custom price lists for B2B

Note on transaction fees: Shopify Payments (which would eliminate these fees) is NOT available in Singapore. You’ll pay a transaction fee on every order unless you’re on an annual plan and volume justifies upgrading. More on this in the next section.

3. Why Shopify Payments Isn’t Available in Singapore — and What to Use Instead

This is the question I get asked most often. Shopify Payments is available in 23 countries. Singapore is not one of them.

The reason isn’t a conspiracy — it comes down to local financial regulations and MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore) licensing requirements for payment service providers. Shopify has chosen not to go through that process for Singapore yet.

What this means for you: Every payment you accept goes through a third-party gateway, and Shopify charges a transaction fee on top of whatever the gateway charges. This fee is 0.5–2% depending on your Shopify plan.

Here’s the practical implication: a store doing SGD $20,000/month with Basic plan pays 2% = SGD $400/month extra just in transaction fees, before gateway fees. On the Shopify plan (1%), that drops to SGD $200. On Advanced (0.5%), it’s $100. Do the maths for your own volume.

4. Payment Gateway Comparison for Singapore Shopify Stores

These are the four gateways I see most Singapore Shopify stores using:

HitPay

Best for: Most Singapore SMEs — the most local-friendly option

Feature	Details
Local payment methods	PayNow, GrabPay, Atome (BNPL), NETS, credit/debit cards
Transaction fee	2.85% + SGD $0.50 per successful transaction
Shopify integration	Yes — dedicated Shopify app
Payout	T+2 business days to Singapore bank
Setup	Singapore-registered business required; approval usually within a week

HitPay is my default recommendation for most Singapore stores because it supports PayNow natively. PayNow is a trust signal — Singapore buyers expect it, and not offering it creates checkout friction. HitPay also supports GrabPay, which matters for the under-35 demographic.

Stripe

Best for: Stores with significant international sales (Australia, US, UK)

Feature	Details
Local payment methods	Credit cards, limited PayNow support
Transaction fee	3.4% + SGD $0.50
Shopify integration	Yes — official integration
Payout	T+3 to T+7 days
Setup	Fast — often approved same day

Stripe is more expensive than HitPay for domestic transactions, and it doesn’t support GrabPay. But if you’re selling cross-border, Stripe’s international card acceptance is more robust.

GrabPay and PayNow

GrabPay is not a standalone gateway — you’ll need to add it as a payment method through HitPay or a compatible gateway. PayNow is also a payment method, not a gateway. Both HitPay and Stripe can process PayNow QR payments. When you hear “Add PayNow to Shopify” — you’re adding it through one of these gateways.

My recommendation: Start with HitPay for local PayNow/GrabPay support. If you find yourself doing significant international volume (>30% of revenue from outside Singapore), add Stripe as a second gateway for international cards.

5. GST Registration with IRAS — When You Need It and How to Set It Up in Shopify

Do you need to register for GST?

You’re required to register for GST when your annual taxable turnover exceeds SGD $1 million. Below that, registration is voluntary.

Current GST rate: 9% (as of 2024, following the 2-stage increase in 2023–2024).

For most new Shopify stores: You probably don’t need to register right away. But if your growth trajectory suggests you’ll hit $1M within 12 months, register proactively — late registration comes with backdated penalties.

Voluntary registration makes sense if: your main customers are GST-registered businesses (you can pass GST to them and claim input tax credits), or your suppliers are GST-registered and you’re paying significant GST on wholesale purchases (registration lets you reclaim it).

How to set up GST in Shopify:

1. Go to Shopify Admin → Settings → Taxes and duties
2. Find Singapore in the country list
3. Enable tax collection and set rate to 9%
4. Under Tax calculations, enable “Include tax in prices” if you want all your prices to already include GST (cleaner for consumer-facing stores)
5. Shopify will generate a GST summary in your reports, but you’ll still need to file GST returns with IRAS quarterly using their myTax portal

Physical goods vs digital goods: If you’re selling digital goods or SaaS to overseas customers, different rules apply. Consult an accountant if your product mix is complex.

6. Shipping Providers for Singapore Shopify Stores

You have four main options:

Ninja Van

Best for: Most Singapore ecommerce brands, especially B2C

• Rates: SGD $3–6 per parcel for Singapore same-island delivery
• Same-day, next-day, and standard delivery options
• Good tracking and consumer-facing communication
• Shopify integration via Ninja Van app or ShipStation
• International: covers Southeast Asia well

J&T Express

Best for: High-volume, budget-conscious stores

• Generally cheaper than Ninja Van at volume
• Good for C2C sellers and high-SKU businesses
• Consumer tracking less polished than Ninja Van
• Shopify integration available

SingPost

Best for: International shipping, especially ePacket (USA, Europe)

• ePacket is the most cost-effective tracked international service for parcels under 2kg
• Slower than DHL/FedEx but fraction of the price
• For local delivery: reliable but slower than Ninja Van

Qxpress

Best for: Same-day delivery requirements

• Premium pricing for same-day and 4-hour delivery windows
• Useful if you’re selling perishables (F&B, florals) or premium gift items where speed matters
• Higher rates — price for what you’re getting

Setting up rates in Shopify: Go to Settings → Shipping and delivery → create shipping zones. Add “Singapore” as a zone, set flat rates or weight-based rates. Consider offering free shipping above a threshold (SGD $50–80 is common for Singapore SMEs) — this increases average order value.

See our full Shopify store creation checklist for more setup steps →

7. PSG Grant — How Singapore SMEs Can Get Up to 50% Off Their Shopify Build

The Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) is one of the most underutilised advantages Singapore SME founders have when building their first Shopify store. I’m genuinely surprised how many founders I speak to who’ve never heard of it.

What is the PSG Grant?

PSG is administered by Enterprise Singapore (ESG). It co-funds technology adoption for Singapore SMEs — including ecommerce development. The co-funding rate for most digital solutions is currently up to 50%.

That means if you’re spending SGD $10,000 on a Shopify build, you could get SGD $5,000 back.

Who qualifies?

• Registered and operating in Singapore
• At least 30% local shareholding
• Annual sales turnover ≤ SGD $100 million OR employ ≤ 200 workers

Which Shopify agencies are PSG-approved vendors?

Not all Shopify agencies are on the PSG approved vendor list. You must use a vendor that has pre-approved PSG solutions listed on the Business Grants Portal (BGP). Check BGP at business.gov.sg → search “Shopify” to find current approved vendors and their solution packages.

How to apply:

1. Get a quotation from a PSG-approved Shopify vendor
2. Submit the application on Business Grants Portal (business.gov.sg) — takes about 30 minutes
3. Wait for approval (usually 2–4 weeks)
4. Once approved, engage the vendor and start the project
5. Submit claims after project completion
6. Receive co-funding as a direct disbursement

Important: You must get approval BEFORE starting the project. Retroactive claims are not accepted.

What PSG covers vs doesn’t cover:

• Covers: Design, development, basic configuration, training
• Usually doesn’t cover: ongoing maintenance, marketing, app subscription costs, annual hosting

For a detailed breakdown of Shopify development costs in Singapore including PSG scenarios, read our honest 2026 pricing guide →

8. 10-Item Checklist: What to Do Before You Launch

Before you click “Remove password” and go live, work through this list:

1. Domain connected and SSL active — check the padlock in the browser
2. All products have images, descriptions, and correct prices — no placeholder content
3. Payment gateway tested with a real transaction — do a $1 test order to yourself, then refund it
4. Shipping rates configured and tested — add a product to cart from a Singapore address and verify the correct rate shows
5. Tax settings correct — 9% GST if registered, or tax-exclusive pricing if not
6. Email notifications reviewed — order confirmation, shipping notification, abandoned cart emails all need your branding, not Shopify defaults
7. Mobile checkout tested — do a full checkout on your actual phone, not just desktop
8. Returns and refund policy published — required for Shopify Payments (and good practice regardless)
9. Analytics connected — Google Analytics 4 and Facebook Pixel if running Meta ads
10. Sitemap submitted to Google Search Console — don’t wait for Google to find you

Full 40-item launch checklist here →

9. When to DIY vs Hire a Shopify Agency in Singapore

Here’s my honest take as someone who has done both.

DIY makes sense if:

• You have time (realistically 2–4 months to build it properly, part-time)
• Your store is relatively simple: one product line, under 50 SKUs, standard checkout
• You enjoy the technical side and are willing to learn
• Budget is genuinely tight (< SGD $3K total)
• Your revenue model can support learning costs (dead store months)

Hire an agency if:

• You have products ready but can’t afford to spend months learning Shopify
• Your store needs custom features: bundles, subscriptions, B2B pricing, multi-location
• You’re migrating an existing business with 500+ products and an existing customer base — data migration is unforgiving if done wrong
• You’re launching a brand where first impressions matter (premium lifestyle, fashion, luxury)
• You qualify for PSG grant and the agency cost nets out to < SGD $5K after co-funding

The honest middle ground: Many Singapore founders build a basic Shopify store themselves first, get it generating revenue, then bring in an agency for a proper rebuild once they know what their customers actually want. There’s nothing wrong with that approach.

Learn more about how we work with Singapore Shopify brands →

If you’re migrating from Shopee specifically, read this guide first — there are gotchas that catch people out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to set up a Shopify store in Singapore?

For a basic store with an existing product range: a determined founder working full-time can have something live in 2–3 weeks. Part-time, expect 6–8 weeks. That’s for a functional store with real products, not just a demo. A professionally built store by an agency (including custom design, apps, and content) typically takes 4–8 weeks depending on scope and how quickly you provide content and feedback. The biggest delay in almost every project I’ve worked on isn’t development — it’s waiting for product photos and copy from the client.

Is Shopify worth it for a Singapore small business?

In most cases, yes — but the right comparison is Shopify vs your current situation, not Shopify vs free. If you’re paying 15% commission on Shopee, and you’re doing SGD $15,000/month in sales, that’s SGD $2,250/month going to Shopee. Shopify Basic costs SGD $42/month plus gateway fees (roughly SGD $600–800 on that volume). The economics are clear. The harder question is whether you have the brand equity and marketing channels to drive traffic to your own store without the marketplace’s built-in audience. That’s the real test — not whether Shopify costs too much.

Do I need a business registration to open a Shopify store in Singapore?

You can technically open a Shopify store as an individual, but to accept payments through most gateways (especially HitPay), you’ll need a Unique Entity Number (UEN) from ACRA. A sole proprietorship registration costs SGD $115 for one year. For most serious ecommerce ventures, a private limited company (Pte Ltd) is worth setting up early — it signals credibility to customers and corporate buyers, and is required if you want to apply for PSG grants.

Which Shopify theme should I use for a Singapore store?

The theme choice matters less than people think. Shopify’s free themes — Dawn, Craft, Sense — are performant and conversion-tested. Paid themes (from the Shopify Theme Store, SGD $160–$330) add polish but won’t compensate for weak product photography or pricing that doesn’t compete. My actual advice: start with Dawn (free), prove the concept, then invest in design when you have revenue to justify it. If you’re launching a premium brand where aesthetics are the product (jewellery, luxury goods, high-end gifting), a custom Shopify theme build is worth the investment from day one.

How do I accept PayNow on Shopify?

Shopify doesn’t support PayNow natively because it requires Shopify Payments, which isn’t available in Singapore. To accept PayNow, install HitPay (the most popular option in Singapore) via the Shopify App Store. HitPay generates a PayNow QR code at checkout and handles the payment flow seamlessly. The PayNow option appears alongside card payment at checkout. Note that HitPay charges a transaction fee (2.85% + $0.50) and Shopify also charges a transaction fee on Basic/Shopify/Advanced plans when using third-party gateways. Factor both into your pricing.

Can I use Shopify for B2B selling in Singapore?

Yes, and Shopify has significantly improved its B2B capabilities in recent updates. Shopify Markets and Shopify B2B (available on Shopify Plus) support separate pricing for wholesale vs retail customers, custom payment terms (net 30/60), company account management, and purchase order workflows. For a Singapore SME doing light B2B in addition to B2C, the Shopify plan with wholesale pricing apps works well without needing Shopify Plus. For genuine B2B-first businesses, Shopify Plus starts at USD $2,300/month — significant, but cheaper than enterprise alternatives.

What’s the difference between Shopify and Shopify Plus for Singapore businesses?

Shopify Plus is the enterprise tier, starting at USD $2,300/month (roughly SGD $3,100). The main differences: unlimited staff accounts, advanced checkout customisation (Checkout Extensibility), B2B features, dedicated account management, and priority support. For context: most Singapore SMEs will never need Shopify Plus. The standard Shopify plan handles very high transaction volumes. You’d look at Plus when you’re doing SGD $100K+ per month in revenue, have complex B2B requirements, or need custom checkout logic that can’t be achieved with apps.

How does Shopify handle GST for cross-border sales?

For digital goods sold to overseas customers, GST rules are complex and vary by destination country. Singapore sellers on Shopify are responsible for understanding their GST obligations in each market. For physical goods: you collect and remit Singapore GST if registered, and the customer may face import duties in their destination country. For cross-border sales at volume, configure Shopify Markets to display local prices and duties, and consider using a Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipping model so customers see the final cost at checkout. Consult an accountant familiar with ecommerce for the specifics of your business.