Shopify Payments: Complete Beginner-Friendly Guide

Setting up Shopify Payments

Shopify Payments is Shopify’s built-in payment processor, which means you can accept card payments and other eligible payment methods without connecting a separate third-party gateway. To activate it, your business must be located in a supported country or region, your store must meet eligibility requirements, and you must secure the account with two-step authentication. In Shopify admin, go to Settings > Payments, then complete your business details, identity verification, and bank account setup. Once approved, Shopify Payments becomes the main payment system for your store.

Example:
If you open a UK-based Shopify store selling gym accessories, you can go to Settings > Payments, enter your company and bank details, verify your identity, and activate Shopify Payments so customers can start paying by card directly on your checkout.

Supported countries for Shopify Payments

Shopify Payments is not available everywhere, so your business must be registered in one of Shopify’s supported countries or regions before you can use it. Shopify keeps an official supported-country list, and each country page includes details such as bank account requirements, verification documents, accepted payment methods, and payout information. Because this list can change, it is best to check Shopify’s live supported-country page before setting up your store.

Example:
If your business is registered in the United Kingdom, you can apply for Shopify Payments. If your business is registered in a country not currently supported, you would need to use an alternative payment provider instead.

Getting paid with Shopify Payments

When a customer places an order and pays through Shopify Payments, the funds are sent to the payout bank account you connected during setup, or to a Shopify Balance account if you use one. Payout timing depends on your country, risk level, and payment method, and once funds are paid out, it can still take around 1 to 3 business days for the bank to show them. You can also choose a payout schedule such as daily, weekly, or monthly, although some merchants with products like Shopify Capital or Shopify Credit may see different schedule options.

Example:
If a customer buys a £120 product from your store on Monday, Shopify may process that order into your next payout batch, and the money may appear in your bank account a few business days later depending on your payout settings and your bank.

Shopify Payments transactions

Shopify Payments transactions include more than just successful sales. They also cover authorizations, captures, refunds, chargebacks, and disputes. If you capture payments manually, an order may show as Authorized first, which means the card was approved but the payment has not yet been fully collected. Shopify recommends capturing authorized payments within 7 days to avoid extra issues or charges. Refunds are usually deducted from your next available payout, and the refund can remain pending briefly while the customer’s bank processes it.

Example:
Suppose a customer orders a jacket today, but you want to check fraud analysis before shipping. You can keep the order as Authorized, review it, and then capture the payment once you are ready to fulfill the order.

Testing Shopify Payments

Before going live, you should test Shopify Payments to make sure checkout works correctly. Shopify lets you enable test mode from Settings > Payments > Manage, which allows you to place sample orders without using real cards or real money. If you are also selling in multiple currencies, Shopify recommends testing how prices appear in different currencies and checking that your apps, checkout, and country selector work properly.

Example:
If your store sells to customers in the UK, US, and Europe, you can turn on test mode, place a few sample orders, and confirm that checkout, taxes, currency display, and order creation all work the way you expect.

Configuring Shopify Payments

After activation, Shopify Payments should be configured carefully so it matches your business operations. This includes reviewing payout settings, connecting the correct bank account, managing payment methods, setting your payout schedule, and keeping your verification details current. Shopify also notes that some local payment methods may require additional approval, and once Shopify Payments is active, that review process can begin automatically for eligible methods.

Example:
A merchant selling internationally may configure Shopify Payments by setting weekly payouts, checking which payment methods are available, and making sure the correct business bank account is linked for smooth cash flow.

Accepting USDC with Shopify Payments

Shopify now allows eligible merchants to accept USDC through Shopify Payments in supported regions across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. To use it, Shopify Payments must already be activated, and USDC must be enabled in the Crypto section of your payment settings. Merchants can choose to receive USDC payments either in their normal payout currency or in USDC to a connected crypto wallet. Shopify states that customers use USDC on the Base network, and some limitations apply, including no partial capture, no subscription payments with USDC, and no post-purchase upsells for those orders.

Example:
If your UK-based store sells digital products to international customers, you can enable USDC so a buyer paying with crypto can complete checkout using a supported wallet, while you choose whether to receive the value in GBP or in USDC.

Local payment methods

Local payment methods help improve conversions because customers often prefer payment options that are familiar in their own country. Shopify supports eligible local methods through Shopify Payments, but availability depends on your store region, the customer’s location, and the currency being used. Some methods also do not work while Shopify Payments is in test mode. For example, Shopify notes that Bancontact requires Shopify Payments to be active, and Sofort works only for customers in certain European countries who are paying in EUR.

Example:
If you sell to customers in Belgium, enabling Bancontact can make checkout feel more local and trusted. If you sell to Germany or Austria in euros, Sofort may be a useful additional option.

Store Currencies

Store currencies matter because the currency your customers see at checkout can be different from the currency you receive in payouts. Shopify allows stores using Shopify Payments to sell in multiple currencies through international sales tools, while payout currencies depend on store location and plan. On most lower-tier plans, merchants can still sell in multiple currencies, but payouts are usually converted into the domestic currency. On Advanced and Shopify Plus, eligible merchants can access multi-currency payouts and add multiple bank accounts for different currencies.

Example:
If your store is based in the UK, a customer in the US may see prices in USD, while your payout may still arrive in GBP unless your plan and setup support a separate USD payout account.