Shopify Malaysia: Complete 2026 guide for Malaysian businesses

Key Takeaways:

• Setting up a Shopify store in Malaysia requires a few local considerations: SSM registration, SST compliance, and choosing the right logistics partners.

• 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.

However, Shopify Payments (which is 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, 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 — the annual option saves you 25% on the Basic, Grow, and Advanced plans.

Here’s a quick overview:

The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 27 April 2026.

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 (US$19/month, billed annually)

This plan is designed for solo entrepreneurs who are just starting out. It includes a fully functional online store, unlimited products, up to 10 inventory locations, in-person selling through POS, and 24/7 chat support.

If you use a third-party payment provider, a 2% transaction fee applies to each sale.

Shopify Grow Plan (US$49/month, billed annually)

This plan is built for small teams that need additional support and collaboration features. It includes everything in the Basic plan, along with five staff accounts. The transaction fee for third-party payment providers is reduced to 1% per sale.

Shopify Advanced Plan (US$299/month, billed annually)

This plan is suited for businesses that are scaling globally. It includes 15 staff accounts, improved 24/7 chat support, and the ability to set up localised storefronts for different markets.

The transaction fee for third-party payment providers is further reduced to 0.6% per sale.

Shopify Plus Plan (from US$2,300/month)

This is Shopify’s enterprise-tier offering, available on one- or three-year terms. It includes unlimited staff accounts, up to 200 inventory locations, priority phone support, and a fully customisable checkout experience.

The transaction fee for third-party payment providers is reduced to 0.2% per sale. This plan is best suited for high-volume merchants with complex operational needs.

A note on transaction fees

Because you can't use Shopify Payments in Malaysia, Shopify's third-party transaction fee applies to every sale — on top of your gateway's own processing charges.

On the Basic plan, that's 2% to Shopify plus whatever your gateway charges, which typically adds another 2–3%. Combined, you're looking at 4–5% per transaction on the entry-level plan.

To put that in context: a business doing RM500,000 in annual sales on the Basic plan pays approximately RM10,000 in Shopify transaction fees alone, before gateway costs.

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 typically costs around US$9 per year.

• 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

If you intend to trade under a business name in Malaysia, you need to register with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia, or SSM). This applies whether you are a sole proprietor, a partnership, or a private limited company.

Sole proprietors and partnerships register under the Registration of Businesses Act 1956 and can do so online via SSM's ezBiz portal. Companies incorporate separately through SSM's MyCoID platform.

If you are selling under your own legal name without a business name, registration may not be required — but if you're building a brand, registration is the right move.

Operating without the required registration is an offence under Malaysian law, so it's worth getting this sorted before you start marketing your store.

Sales and Service Tax (SST)

Malaysia operates a Sales and Service Tax (SST) system. Sales Tax applies to manufacturers of taxable goods sold locally or at the point of importation. Service Tax applies to taxable services provided by taxable persons once a revenue threshold is met.

For most Shopify merchants selling physical goods directly to consumers, Sales Tax is unlikely to apply unless you are classified as a manufacturer of taxable goods.

However, if you sell digital products, software, or subscription-based services, Service Tax obligations may apply once your revenue exceeds the registration threshold set by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD).

To configure taxes on Shopify, go to Settings > Taxes and duties and set your applicable rates by product type and customer location. If you are registered for SST, you will also need to issue SST-compliant tax invoices.

When in doubt, consult a Malaysian tax professional or refer to the MySST portal operated by the RMCD for official guidance.

Product-specific requirements

Certain product categories require additional licences or approvals before you can sell them legally in Malaysia. Health supplements must be registered with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA).

Food products may require approval from the Ministry of Health. Financial products require licensing from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). If your products fall into any of these categories, check the relevant authority's requirements before listing.

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 costs on every international transaction.

For merchants who sell in volume, this adds up quickly.

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 — costs that 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

Take a Malaysian fashion brand selling to customers in Singapore:

• Their store prices products in SGD, but Shopify converts payouts to RM. On S$20,000 in monthly sales, a typical bank FX spread of 2–3% means losing S$400–600 before the money arrives.

• They pay their fabric supplier in China monthly. US$5,000 converted at a similar spread costs another RM500–700 in FX drag.

• They run Meta Ads billed in USD, which translates into yet another conversion and yet another sum of money lost to FX. 

That's potentially RM3,000 or more lost to FX costs every month, just from converting currencies in both directions.

Figures above are illustrative estimates based on typical bank FX spreads. Actual costs will vary by provider and transaction volume.

Why Malaysian businesses choose Airwallex for their Shopify store

Shopify gives you the platform to sell internationally. But once orders start coming in from Singapore, Australia, or the US, you need a financial setup that keeps up — and a standard Malaysian business account isn't built for that.

That's where Airwallex comes in. It connects directly with Shopify and handles the financial side of cross-border selling: collecting revenue in foreign currencies, paying overseas suppliers, and managing ad spend — without the FX markups that come with traditional banking.

Here's what you get with Airwallex:

Collect payments in the currency your customers pay in

Airwallex Global Accounts give you local account details in 20+ currencies: USD, SGD, GBP, EUR, and more. You can receive, hold, and settle funds directly in these currencies, without having to convert everything back to MYR each time.

This helps you avoid unnecessary FX conversions and reduces overall FX costs.

Pay overseas suppliers without the FX markup

When you need to pay a supplier in China, a warehouse in Australia, or a SaaS platform billed in USD, Airwallex lets you send funds at competitive rates, saving you up to 80% on FX fees.

Use a corporate card for your ad spend

If you're running Meta or Google Ads, you're already paying in USD. Airwallex corporate cards let you spend directly in foreign currencies with no FX fee, and you get real-time visibility over every transaction.

Integrate directly with Shopify

Airwallex connects to Shopify through a direct integration, so your store and your finances work together. You can accept payments from international customers and manage your funds from one platform.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Is Shopify available in Malaysia?

Yes, Shopify is fully available in Malaysia. You can create a store, sell to local and international customers, and use Malaysian-based logistics and payment providers. The only exception is Shopify Payments, which is not supported in Malaysia.

Does Shopify Payments work in Malaysia?

No, Shopify Payments is not available in Malaysia. You'll need to connect a third-party payment gateway such as iPay88, Fiuu, eGHL, or Billplz to accept payments. 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?

Yes, most businesses selling online in Malaysia are required to register with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). This applies whether you're operating as a sole proprietor, partnership, or company. Some product categories may also require additional licences.

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 set your tax rates. You can configure rules by product type and customer location. Check the Royal Malaysian Customs Department website for the latest guidance on whether your products are SST-applicable.

Can I use Shopify to sell internationally from Malaysia?

Yes, Shopify supports international selling, including multi-currency pricing and localised storefronts. To manage the financial side efficiently, tools like Airwallex let you hold revenue in foreign currencies and pay overseas suppliers without converting everything back to RM.

Sources:

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

2.  https://www.ssm.com.my

3.  https://mysst.customs.gov.my

This publication does not constitute legal, tax, or professional advice from Airwallex nor substitute seeking such advice, and makes no express or implied representations / warranties / guarantees regarding content accuracy, completeness, or currency. If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [[email protected]]. Airwallex (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., a company incorporated under the laws of Malaysia with company registration number 201801007747 (1269761-X), is regulated as a licensed remittance business under the Money Services Business Act 2011 (Licence number 00743 with an expiry date of 3 August 2028, an E-Money Issuer and a registered merchant acquirer under the Financial Services Act 2013.