Shopify Malaysia: Complete 2026 guide for Malaysian businesses

Key Takeaways:

• Shopify is available to Malaysian businesses, with plans starting at US$19/month on annual billing.

• Shopify Payments is not available in Malaysia. This means you’ll need to choose a third-party payment gateway to use.

• If you sell internationally, Airwallex integrates directly with Shopify and lets you hold revenue in foreign currencies, pay overseas suppliers, and reduce unnecessary FX costs.

Shopify Malaysia is one of the most popular platforms for businesses selling online. This guide covers what it costs, how to set up your store, what local regulations apply, and how to handle payments from international customers.

One thing to know upfront: Shopify Payments is not available in Malaysia. You'll need a third-party payment gateway, which affects your costs and the payment methods available to your customers.

Is Shopify available in Malaysia?

Yes, Shopify is fully available in Malaysia. You can sign up, build a store, and start selling to Malaysian and international customers without any restrictions.

The main limitation to be aware of is that Shopify Payments (Shopify’s built-in payment processor) isn’t supported in Malaysia. This means you’ll need to connect a third-party payment gateway to accept payments.

This setup is standard for Malaysian merchants and works reliably. However, it does introduce an additional layer of fees: you’ll pay your payment gateway’s charges, plus Shopify’s extra transaction fee on each sale. We’ll break this down more clearly in the pricing section below.

For a full breakdown of which payment gateways work with Shopify in Malaysia, see our dedicated guide on best payment gateways for Shopify in Malaysia.

Shopify pricing in Malaysia

Shopify offers four main subscription plans, all priced in USD. You can pay month-to-month or annually. Here’s a quick overview:

This information is based on publicly available information accessed on 12 Oct 2026. Information reflects Airwallex's own research and has not been independently verified.

All plans come with a 3-day free trial, followed by a promotional period of US$1/month for your first three months.

Shopify Basic Plan

The Basic plan is designed for solo entrepreneurs starting an online store. It includes a full-featured online store, unlimited products, up to 10 inventory locations, in-person selling through Shopify POS and 24/7 live chat support.

If you use a third-party payment provider, Shopify charges a 2% third-party transaction fee on eligible transactions, in addition to your provider's payment processing fees.

Shopify Grow Plan 

The Grow plan is designed for small teams that need additional staff access. It includes everything in Basic, along with up to five staff accounts.

The third-party transaction fee drops to 1% on eligible transactions.

Shopify Advanced Plan

The Advanced plan is designed for businesses expanding into more markets. It includes everything in Grow, up to 15 staff accounts, and features such as region-specific storefront customisation and third-party calculated shipping rates.

The third-party transaction fee drops to 0.6% on eligible transactions.

Shopify Plus Plan

Shopify Plus is designed for high-volume businesses with more complex operational needs. Pricing starts at US$2,300/month.

It includes unlimited staff accounts, a customisable checkout, B2B selling features and priority 24/7 phone support. The third-party transaction fee is 0.2% on eligible transactions.

A note on transaction fees

Shopify Payments isn't currently available to merchants based in Malaysia, so businesses generally need to use a third-party payment provider to accept online payments.

When a third-party provider processes an eligible transaction, Shopify charges an additional transaction fee on top of the provider's own processing fees.

On the Basic plan, this means paying Shopify 2% of the applicable order amount, plus the payment gateway's processing fee. The gateway's rate varies by provider and payment method, so calculate the combined cost using the rate you'll actually be charged.

Information in this section is based on Shopify’s official website as of 12 Oct 2026.

Other costs to budget for

Your monthly plan and transaction fees are the biggest costs, but a few others are worth factoring in before you launch.

• Domain name: Shopify sells domains directly, or you can connect one from a third-party registrar. A .com domain purchased through Shopify typically costs around US$16 per year, though prices vary by domain and extension.

• Themes: Free themes are solid for most new stores. If you opt for a paid theme, expect to pay a one-off fee in the US$100–US$500 range.

• Apps: Shopify's app store has thousands of add-ons for reviews, loyalty programmes, upselling, and more. Many have free tiers, but costs can add up quickly if you stack multiple paid apps.

• Shopify POS Pro: If you sell in person as well as online, the POS Pro add-on is US$89/month per location on top of your subscription.

How to set up a Shopify store in Malaysia

Setting up a Shopify store in Malaysia takes most people a few hours. Here are the steps to get started:

Step 1: Create your Shopify account

Go to shopify.com and sign up for a free trial. You'll need a business email address and a store name. Shopify will ask a few questions about your business type and what you plan to sell.

Step 2: Choose a plan

Start with the Basic plan if you're just launching. You can upgrade later as your sales grow. Paying annually saves 25% compared to month-to-month billing.

Step 3: Configure your store settings

Set your store currency to RM, your timezone to Malaysia (GMT+8), and your store address. These settings affect how taxes and shipping rates are calculated.

Step 4: Add your products

Upload product images, write descriptions, set prices in RM, and organise products into collections. Shopify supports unlimited products on all plans.

Step 5: Choose a theme

Shopify's Theme Store offers free and paid themes. Free themes are functional and fully customisable, and most new stores start there. Paid themes range from US$100 to US$500¹ and offer more advanced design features.

Step 6: Connect a payment gateway

Since Shopify Payments is not available in Malaysia, you'll need to connect a third-party gateway before you can accept payments.

Step 7: Set up shipping

Add your shipping zones and rates under Settings > Shipping and delivery. For domestic deliveries, Shopify integrates with local couriers including Pos Laju, J&T Express, and EasyParcel.

Set realistic delivery timeframes; Malaysian customers expect 2–5 business days for standard domestic shipping.

Step 8: Configure SST

If your business is registered for Sales and Service Tax (SST), go to Settings > Taxes and duties to configure your tax rates. Shopify allows you to set tax rules by product type and customer location.

Step 9: Test your store

Before going live, place a test order using Shopify's Bogus Gateway or your payment provider's sandbox mode. Check that order confirmation emails are sent correctly and that your checkout flow works on mobile.

Step 10: Launch

Remove your password page under Online Store > Preferences, and your store is live. Share your store URL and start driving traffic.

What Malaysian businesses need to know before selling online

Before you launch your Shopify store, there are a few local legal and tax considerations to sort out. None of them are complicated, but getting them in place early saves you problems later.

SSM business registration

Depending on your business structure and location, you may need to register with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM).

• Sole proprietors and partnerships: In Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan, these generally register under the Registration of Businesses Act 1956. Eligible businesses can register through SSM's ezBiz portal.

• Private limited companies (Sdn. Bhd.): Incorporated separately under the Companies Act 2016 through SSM's MyCoID platform.

• Limited liability partnerships (LLPs): Follow a separate registration process under the LLP framework.

A sole proprietor using their full personal name may qualify for an exemption from business registration. Using a trade name can change the requirements. Check SSM's rules for your circumstances, as operating without required registration can be an offence.

Sales and Service Tax (SST)

Malaysia's SST system covers certain goods and services. Whether you need to register or charge tax depends on what you sell and how your business operates.

• Sales Tax: Generally applies to taxable goods manufactured in Malaysia by registered manufacturers or imported into Malaysia. Retailers reselling goods don't automatically need to charge Sales Tax.

• Service Tax: Applies to prescribed taxable services when the relevant registration requirements are met. Digital products, software and subscriptions need to be assessed based on their specific tax treatment.

If you're registered for SST, check your obligations for tax collection, records and tax invoices. Shopify's tax settings can help configure collection, but you're responsible for applying the correct tax treatment.

For guidance, consult a Malaysian tax professional or visit the MySST portal operated by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD).

Product-specific requirements

Some products need additional registration, licences or approvals before they can be sold in Malaysia.

• Health supplements: Products classified as health supplements generally require registration with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA).

• Food products: Food businesses must comply with applicable food safety, hygiene and labelling requirements. Some products or imports may need additional approvals.

• Financial products and services: Businesses offering regulated financial products or services may need approval or licensing from the relevant regulatory authorities.

Check the relevant authority's requirements for your specific products before listing them in your store.

Selling internationally from your Malaysian Shopify store

Shopify makes it straightforward to sell beyond Malaysia. You can accept orders from customers in Singapore, Australia, the UK, the US, and most other markets from the same store you use for domestic sales.

But once international orders start coming in, you run into a financial challenge that most guides don't cover: how you deal with FX losses.

The double conversion problem

Most payment gateways settle funds in a single currency (typically USD or RM). If your customers pay in USD and your gateway converts it to RM automatically, you're paying a conversion fee every time.

If you then need to pay for US-based subscriptions in USD, you're converting again in the other direction. That's two rounds of FX fees that you could have avoided.

Paying overseas suppliers

If you source products from suppliers in China, the US, or Europe, you're likely paying invoices in USD, EUR, or CNY.

Sending international transfers through a Malaysian bank typically involves a fixed wire fee plus an FX spread built into the exchange rate; these costs aren’t always visible upfront.

Running ads in foreign currencies

Most Malaysian merchants running paid ads on Meta or Google are spending in USD. If your business account is in RM, every ad payment triggers an FX conversion. Depending on your card provider, that can mean a 1.5–3% markup on every dollar you spend on advertising.

How FX costs add up for Malaysian merchants

Imagine a Malaysian fashion brand selling to customers in the US while paying suppliers and advertising costs in foreign currencies.

• Customer payments: The brand receives sales revenue through its payment provider. If payouts are converted into RM, it may incur FX costs when receiving those funds.

• Supplier payments: It pays its Chinese supplier in USD or CNY. If its funds are held in RM, converting them to the invoice currency adds another cost.

• Advertising: It runs Meta Ads billed in USD. If its business card is funded in RM, foreign currency markups may increase its advertising costs.

Each conversion can chip away at the brand's margins. By looking at how it receives, holds and spends foreign currencies, the business may be able to reduce unnecessary conversion costs.

Why Malaysian businesses choose Airwallex for their Shopify store

Setting up Airwallex with Shopify is straightforward. Simply install the Airwallex Shopify app, connect your Airwallex account, and configure your payment methods.

Once that’s done, you can use Airwallex to receive and hold multiple currencies, pay overseas suppliers, and more. Here’s what you can do with Airwallex:

Enjoy free local transfers

Need to pay Malaysian suppliers, contractors or other business expenses in MYR? Airwallex offers free local transfers via DuitNow and GIRO.

Receive and hold funds in foreign currencies

Airwallex Business Accounts let you receive and hold funds in 20+ currencies, including USD, SGD, GBP and EUR. Instead of converting every payment back to MYR immediately, you can keep funds in their original currencies and use them for eligible payments in the same currency.

This can help you avoid unnecessary currency conversions and reduce FX costs.

Save up to 80% on FX fees when you pay overseas suppliers

Whether you're paying a supplier in China, a warehouse in Australia or a SaaS subscription billed in USD, Airwallex lets you make international transfers in multiple currencies.

Our FX is priced competitively at 0.4% to 0.6% above interbank, letting you save up to 80% on FX fees as compared to traditional banks.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Is Shopify available in Malaysia?

Yes, Shopify is available in Malaysia. You can build an online store, sell to local and international customers, and connect compatible payment gateways and logistics services. However, Shopify Payments is not available to Malaysian businesses, so you'll need another payment provider to accept online payments.

Does Shopify Payments work in Malaysia?

No, Shopify Payments is not currently available in Malaysia. You can instead connect a third-party payment gateway, such as Billplz or another provider supported for your store. See our dedicated guide on the best payment gateways for Shopify in Malaysia for a full comparison.

How much does Shopify cost in Malaysia?

Shopify plans start from US$19/month on annual billing for the Basic plan, up to US$299/month for Advanced. All prices are in USD. Because Shopify Payments isn't available in Malaysia, a third-party transaction fee of 0.6%–2% applies on top of your gateway's own charges, depending on your plan.

Do I need to register my business with SSM to sell on Shopify in Malaysia?

Most businesses carrying out commercial activities in Malaysia need to register with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), although the requirements depend on your business structure and location. Sole proprietorships, partnerships, companies and limited liability partnerships follow different registration rules. Some products and business activities may also require additional licences or approvals.

How do I configure SST on Shopify in Malaysia?

If your business is registered for Sales and Service Tax (SST), go to Settings > Taxes and duties in your Shopify admin to configure your tax settings. Check the applicable rules for your products and business, as Shopify's settings don't determine whether you're legally required to register for or charge SST. For the latest requirements, refer to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department's MySST portal.

Can I use Shopify to sell internationally from Malaysia?

Yes. Shopify Markets lets you manage international markets and tailor your store's pricing, language and other settings for different regions. However, accepting payments in customers' local currencies at checkout depends on your payment provider, and not all providers support multi-currency processing. If you receive or make payments in foreign currencies, Airwallex lets you accept payments in 180+ countries and hold 20+ currencies.

Sources:

1.  https://www.shopify.com/my/pricing

2.  https://www.ssm.com.my

3.  https://mysst.customs.gov.my