Yes, you can run a Shopify store from Sri Lanka, but Shopify Payments is not available here, so you connect a third-party gateway such as PayHere. That means you pay the gateway's fee and, on most plans, an extra Shopify transaction fee on every order, on top of the monthly subscription in US dollars.
Why Shopify Payments is not an option
Shopify's own list of countries where Shopify Payments works does not include Sri Lanka; in Asia it covers markets such as Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong and the UAE (Shopify Help Center). Sri Lankan stores therefore use an external provider. PayHere offers a free Shopify app that accepts local and international cards and local wallets, and settles to a Sri Lankan bank account (Shopify App Store).
The real cost of Shopify for a Sri Lankan store
Shopify's US pricing page lists these plans (prices in US dollars, per month) (Shopify pricing):
| Plan | Monthly billing | Billed yearly | Extra fee when using a third-party gateway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $39 | $29 | 2% of each order |
| Grow | $105 | $79 | 1% |
| Advanced | $399 | $299 | 0.6% |
So a Basic store taking card payments pays the gateway fee (around 3% with PayHere's starter plan) plus Shopify's 2%. On LKR 500,000 of monthly sales, that is roughly LKR 25,000 in transaction costs before the subscription, apps and theme.
When Shopify makes sense
- You sell many products and want a proven checkout and inventory system.
- You ship abroad and want a store that overseas customers trust.
- You want to start quickly without a developer.
When another option is better
- Low margins: the extra percentage can wipe out profit on low-margin goods.
- Few products or services: a fast custom website with a payment gateway can cost less over time.
- Bookings rather than products: hotels, tours, classes and clinics need booking flows, not a product cart.
- Local buyers who prefer cash on delivery or bank transfer: a simpler site with WhatsApp ordering may convert better.
Alternatives
- WooCommerce on WordPress: no platform transaction fee; you pay for hosting and maintenance.
- Daraz: instant access to buyers in exchange for commission. See our comparison of Daraz and your own store.
- A custom website with ordering on WhatsApp: customers browse, then order in a chat, which suits many Sri Lankan buyers.
Example: the monthly cost of a small Shopify store
An illustration for a store selling LKR 300,000 a month on the Basic plan with card payments (using an exchange rate of about LKR 300 to the dollar):
| Cost | Approximate monthly amount (LKR) |
|---|---|
| Basic plan billed monthly ($39) | 11,700 |
| Gateway fee (about 3.3%) | 9,900 |
| Shopify third-party transaction fee (2%) | 6,000 |
| Two paid apps (example $10 each) | 6,000 |
| Total before delivery and marketing | About 33,600 |
Your figures will differ. The point is to add every line before you decide, because the subscription is only part of the cost.
Shopify setup checklist for Sri Lanka
- Set your store currency and shipping zones for Sri Lanka (and abroad, if you ship overseas).
- Install and configure your payment gateway app, then run a test order.
- Add a manual payment method for bank transfer, with clear instructions.
- Write refund, delivery and privacy policies.
- Connect a custom domain such as yourstore.lk.
- Add WhatsApp contact and order notifications.
How Halcent can help
Halcent builds online stores and ordering websites around how Sri Lankan customers actually buy: card payments through a local gateway, bank slip upload, cash on delivery and orders on WhatsApp, with an AI assistant that answers product questions. If you are deciding between Shopify and a custom site, we will compare the real monthly costs for your products in a free AI Snapshot.
Frequently asked questions
Does Shopify work in Sri Lanka?
Yes. You can create and run a Shopify store from Sri Lanka, but you need a third-party payment gateway because Shopify Payments is not available.
Which payment gateway works with Shopify in Sri Lanka?
PayHere offers a Shopify app that accepts cards and local wallets and pays into a Sri Lankan bank account. Other providers may offer integrations too.
Why does Shopify charge an extra fee in Sri Lanka?
Shopify charges a transaction fee on orders paid through third-party gateways, and because Shopify Payments is not available, Sri Lankan stores pay it on card orders.