Store setup checklist for selling in China

This checklist helps merchants operating from mainland China or Hong Kong SAR set up their Shopify store, addressing common issues specific to this region.

Before you start

Review the following notes about network access and planning before you begin.

Network and access notes

• Shopify's servers aren't located in mainland China, so connection speeds might vary. Learn more about Shopify’s subprocessors.
• Some third-party apps might have connectivity limitations depending on your network environment. You can ask the app developers about their app support for merchants in China. Learn more about getting help with apps.
• Firewalls in China frequently block requests to load fonts from Google, causing slow page loads or timeout. You can use web-safe fonts or Monotype fonts to help reduce slow page loads and timeouts. These fonts are available with the Font Picker in latest theme versions for Shopify free themes. You might need to review the third-party theme's documentation to ensure that it has web-safe fonts or Monotype fonts. Learn more about where to find support for your theme.

Pre-setup planning

Complete the following planning steps before you create your store.

Find local experts to get advice on taxes and laws for your business.

Register your business, if necessary.

Open a separate business bank account and ensure it meets any currency requirements for your payment provider.

Choose which sales channels you want to use. Note that some might not be available in China or might have reduced performance in China.

Think about which pricing plan you need.

1. Account and business setup

Complete the following to register your store and choose payment options.

Considerations

• Your business entity location determines the payment options that are available for your customers at the checkout:
  • Mainland China: Use third-party payment providers. Each provider has their own verification requirements.
  • Hong Kong SAR: Shopify Payments is available with physical presence verification, or you can use third-party providers.
• Different Shopify plans offer different features for cross-border selling:
  • Basic: International sales tools, up to 50 markets, local currency pricing
  • Grow: All Basic features plus 5 staff accounts, comprehensive reports, add carrier-calculated shipping for a monthly fee
  • Advanced: All Grow features plus 15 staff accounts, collect duties and import taxes at checkout, carrier-calculated shipping included in subscription cost
  • Plus: All Advanced features plus unlimited staff accounts, 9 expansion stores, B2B markets

Hong Kong SAR business type identification

If you plan to use Shopify Payments with your business, then you need to select your business type during setup. If you have a Business Registration Number (BRN) certificate, then the information is listed on your certificate. Review the following to determine your business type:

• Individual: No BRN, doing business privately (must live in Hong Kong SAR)
• Sole proprietorship: BRN displays "Individual", "Proprietorship", 獨資, or 独资 (must live in Hong Kong SAR)
• Partnership: BRN contains "partnership", 合夥, or 合伙
• Non-profit: Registered as charity/non-profit in Hong Kong SAR
• Corporation: All other registered businesses

China residents with a Hong Kong SAR BRN can use Shopify Payments as a corporation, partnership, or non-profit, but not as individual or sole proprietorship.

Shopify Payments verification documents (Hong Kong SAR entities)

Have the following documents ready when you apply for Shopify Payments in Hong Kong SAR:

• Business license or certificate of incorporation
• Government-issued ID (Hong Kong SAR Identity Card for Hong Kong SAR entities)
• Proof of business address (one of the following):
  • Commercial lease or rental agreement
  • Utility bill in the business name
  • Business insurance document
  • Third-party warehouse service agreement
• Proof of shipping operations from the registered location (one of the following):
  • Shipment records or carrier invoices
  • Shopify order numbers with tracking showing shipments from the location

Set up Shopify Payments

Work through the following steps to configure your store and payment options.

Decide on your business entity location.

Gather required verification documents based on your chosen payment provider.

Log in to your store.

Password-protect your store during setup.

Name your store and set your store's legal business name.

Set your business address.

Add your billing information. Learn about payment methods for bills.

Set a default currency for your store listings.

Set a default weight unit for your store listings.

Staff your store if necessary.

Select appropriate from the following Shopify plans: Basic, Grow, Advanced, Shopify Plus.

2. Payment provider setup

Review the following before you choose and set up a payment provider.

Considerations

• Mainland China operations require third-party payment providers.
• Hong Kong SAR operations can use Shopify Payments (with physical presence verification) or third-party providers.
• Third-party payment providers incur additional Shopify transaction fees.
• High chargeback rates can result in payment account suspension.

Choosing a payment provider

When researching third-party payment providers, consider:

• Which payment methods are popular in your target markets (credit cards, digital wallets, local payment methods)
• Whether the provider supports your product type and industry
• Transaction fees and payout schedules
• Currency support for your target regions
• The provider's verification requirements and approval process

Learn more about the available payment providers for China.

Learn more about Setting up payments for merchants in China.

Third-party payment provider setup

Complete the following to add and configure a third-party payment provider.

Research payment providers that support your target markets and product type.

Set up your payment provider based on business location.

Configure multiple payment methods if targeting different markets.

Disable test mode before going live.

Shopify Payments setup (Hong Kong SAR entities)

If you are in Hong Kong SAR and eligible, complete the following to activate Shopify Payments.

Set up Shopify Payments: Go to Settings > Payments, and then click Activate Shopify Payments.

Select your business type (corporation, partnership, or non-profit for China residents).

Enter personal information matching your government ID exactly.

Enter business information matching your BRN exactly (pay attention to case and punctuation).

Connect your HKD bank account (checking account in Hong Kong SAR).

Upload verification documents if requested.

Activate two-step authentication (required to receive payouts).

Submit for verification.

3. Shipping and fulfillment setup

Learn more about Cross-border fulfillment for merchants in China.

Considerations

• Missing shipping rates for a region cause products to display as "sold out" to customers in that region. Ensure that you’ve set up all the regions and shipping rates you need for your target customers.
• Fulfillment location must be properly configured for tracking numbers to sync.
• Carrier-calculated shipping (CCS) is only available on Grow plan for an add-on fee or included in the subscription cost for Advanced plan and higher.
• Discounted shipping labels are only available for shipments originating from the US, Canada, the UK, or Australia.
• If you have multiple fulfillment locations, then learn about setting up order routing and managing fulfillment locations.
• Peak seasons (Black Friday, Christmas) can significantly increase delivery times. Ensure that you plan inventory and set customer expectations accordingly.

Understanding shipping cost calculations

Freight forwarders typically charge by whichever is greater, the actual weight or dimensional weight:

• Actual weight: True weight of packaged item on scale
• Dimensional weight: Length × Width × Height ÷ 5000 (some carriers use 6000)
• First weight + continuation: Base rate for first unit (for example, first 500g), reduced rate for additional weight

Example: A 40×30×20cm package weighing 2kg has a dimensional weight of 4.8kg (40×30×20÷5000). The freight forwarder charges based on 4.8kg, not 2kg.

Fulfillment model options

When choosing a fulfillment model, consider your product sourcing, shipping speed requirements, and target markets.

Packaging optimization tips

Because freight forwarders often charge by dimensional weight, optimizing packaging can reduce costs:

• Vacuum compress clothes, blankets, and soft goods to reduce volume
• Use rigid boxes for light bulky items to prevent deformation during shipping
• Replace thick foam padding with honeycomb paper or bubble bags for small items
• Every 5cm reduction in box dimensions can save on shipping costs per package

Dropshipping app setup

If you use dropshipping, complete the following to connect your app and locations.

Install dropshipping app.

Authorize and sync the app with your store.

Verify fulfillment location is created in Settings > Locations.

Ensure the app's location is active.

Assign products to the correct fulfillment location.

Add SKUs to products/variants for proper tracking sync.

Shipping zones and rates

Set up locations and shipping rates so customers see accurate delivery options at checkout.

Set up locations and assign order fulfillment.

Set up shipping rates: Go to Settings > Shipping and delivery > General shipping profile.

Configure shipping zones for each target market, such as the US or EU.

Add shipping rates to each zone. You can set up any of the following types of rates: flat rate, free shipping threshold, carrier-calculated, backup shipping.

Set up shipping profiles, if you have different products that ship from different locations.

Verify dropshipping app location is included in shipping profile, if necessary.

Test checkout from each target country to verify shipping displays correctly. If you encounter any issues, then you can troubleshoot and test shipping rates again.

4. Markets configuration

Define where you sell and how customers in each region experience your store.

Considerations

• Products might display as “sold out” for customers from regions without configured shipping rates.
• Markets configuration must align with shipping zones.
• The backup region determines the experience for customers outside your defined markets.

Set up markets

Complete the following to define where you sell and how each region is treated.

Activate markets for each target region.

Configure backup region for customers outside defined markets.

Verify that shipping rates exist for all active markets.

Set up currencies for each market, if applicable.

Verify Markets configuration matches your shipping zones.

5. Product setup

Add products, assign them to locations, and set inventory so they appear correctly for each market.

Considerations

• Products display as "sold out" in the following cases:
  • They aren’t assigned to a location with configured shipping rates.
  • Inventory is zero and "continue selling when out of stock" isn’t activated.
  • The product isn’t published or is inactive.
  • Markets aren’t active for the customer's region.
• When using dropshipping apps, inventory is managed by the app, not directly in Shopify.
• Each product variant must be assigned to the correct fulfillment location.

Adding products

Add and organize your products and assign them to the correct fulfillment locations.

Add your products.

Organize your products into collections.

Assign correct inventory location to each product variant.

Set inventory tracking appropriately: dropshipping inventory is managed by the app and self-fulfilled is tracked in your Shopify admin.

Inventory location assignment

Ensure each product variant is assigned to the right location so inventory and shipping work correctly.

Go to Products > Select product > Edit variant > Inventory section.

Verify each product is assigned to the correct fulfillment location.

Ensure inventory is at the dropshipping app location and not default shop location, if you’re using a dropshipping app.

Sync inventory with dropshipping app, if using one.

6. Domain setup

Connect a custom domain so customers can find your store at your chosen address.

Considerations

• Third-party domains can be connected to Shopify.
• DNS propagation typically takes 24-48 hours but can take up to 72 hours.
• Domain provider interfaces vary so ensure that you follow the specific instructions for your registrar.
• Consider whether your domain will be accessible to customers in all your target markets.

Set up your domain

Connect your custom domain and set it as primary so customers can reach your store.

Purchase or identify your domain from your preferred registrar.

Connect your domain: Go to Settings > Domains > Connect existing domain.

Follow automatic connection flow, or configure DNS records manually with the following DNS settings:

• Add A record pointing to 23.227.38.65
• Add AAAA record pointing to 2620:0127:f00f:5:: (if your provider supports IPv6)
• Add CNAME record for www pointing to shops.myshopify.com

Verify domain ownership, if applicable.

Set your connected domain as primary domain.

Wait for SSL certificate provisioning (automatic, might take up to 24 hours).

7. Store design and language

Learn more about Online store setup for merchants in China.

Considerations

• Some themes might load slowly when accessed from mainland China due to external resource dependencies.
• Firewalls in China frequently block Google Fonts: use web-safe fonts or Monotype fonts (available in the Font Picker in latest theme versions).
• Multi-language stores require the Translate & Adapt app, a third-party translation app, or manual translations with a CSV file.
• Date formats and delivery time displays might need adjustment for different languages.
• Chinese Simplified and Chinese Traditional are separate language options. Choose based on your target customers.

Theme setup

Choose and customize a theme and test how it loads from your region.

Customize your website with a theme.

Review theme settings for font choices: prefer system fonts, web-safe fonts, or Monotype fonts for better accessibility in China.

Test that the theme loads properly from different network environments.

Review your web performance report in Settings > Online Store > Web performance. Learn more about online store web performance.

Multi-language setup

Add languages and translations so customers in each market see content in their language.

Install the Translate & Adapt app, use a third-party translation app, or set up manual translations.

Configure language for each market.

Verify translations display correctly (review date formats and delivery times).

Test language switcher functionality on storefront.

8. Legal and compliance

Learn more about Legal and compliance information for Chinese exporters.

Considerations

• Clear refund and return policies help prevent chargebacks. Ensure you're responding promptly to customer inquiries throughout the resolution process.
• Realistic shipping timeframes set proper customer expectations for cross-border delivery.
• Sales tax obligations vary by target market (for example, US states have economic nexus thresholds).
• HS codes are required for international shipments to avoid customs delays, penalties, or seizure.
• EU sales require compliance with GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation), including manufacturer info and EU Responsible Person details.
• GDPR (EU) and US state privacy laws have specific privacy requirements for customer data.

Commonly restricted product categories

Before selling internationally, verify your products aren't restricted in destination countries. The following product types might be restricted depending on the destination country:

• Batteries and electronics
• Beauty/cosmetics (perfumes, aerosols, nail polish)
• Food and beverages
• Vitamins, supplements, over-the-counter medicines
• CBD and cannabis products
• Tobacco products

Store policies

When you add policies in Settings > Policies, the policies are automatically linked in the footer of your checkout page. Learn more about adding store policies.

Display your store policies and other legal information.

Add refund/return policy.

Add privacy policy (include GDPR and US state privacy law requirements if selling to EU/California).

Add terms of service.

Add shipping policy with realistic delivery timeframes for cross-border shipping.

Translate all checkout policies using the Translate & Adapt app, a third-party translation app, or manual translations.

HS codes and country of origin

Add customs information to products so international shipments clear customs without delay.

Add HS codes to all products (6-digit international trade codes).

Set country of origin for each product (where product was manufactured or assembled).

Consider setting a default country of origin in Settings > Taxes and duties > Customs information.

Tax configuration

Set up tax collection for the regions where you have obligations.

Set up your taxes.

Review sales tax obligations for target markets.

Configure tax settings in Settings > Taxes and duties.

For US sales: Review economic nexus thresholds for each state.

For EU sales: Configure VAT settings.

Duties at checkout (Advanced/Plus plans only)

If you’re on the Advanced or Plus plan, then you can collect duties and import taxes at checkout, also known as Delivered Duty Paid.

Set up duties and import taxes: Go to Settings > Taxes and duties.

In the Duties and import taxes section, click Set up Select countries for duty collection.

Ensure all products have HS codes and country of origin.

Update shipping policy to reflect Delivered Duty Paid pricing.

Checkout fields for specific countries

Shopify automatically displays required tax ID fields for certain countries. Verify these work correctly:

• Brazil: CPF (individual tax ID) or CNPJ (business tax ID) tax identification
• South Korea: Personal Customs Clearance Code (PCCC)
• Italy: Codice Fiscale (CF) and PEC
• Mexico: RFC tax identification
• China: Resident Identity Card number

Customize your checkout and account pages

You can customize your checkout and account pages with the checkout and accounts editor. If you’re on the Shopify Plus plan, then you can edit your pages with Checkout API.

Go to Settings > Checkout.

In the Configurations section, click Customize.

Edit the functionality and the appearance of your checkout, order status page, thank you page, and customer accounts pages.

Optional: Add a required confirmation step to your checkout

During checkout, you can require a confirmation step to give your customers a chance to review their order details. You can also add a custom message to confirm that your customer has read and agreed to your policies during the confirmation step.

From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > General.

In the Order processing section, select Require a confirmation step.

Click Save.

Navigate to Online store > Themes.

Beside your current theme name, click > Edit default theme content.

Click the Checkout and system tab.

In the search box, type review and press enter.

In the Checkout and system / Checkout review section, in the Review notice html text box, enter the following text, which includes links to each of the policies. Depending on which policies you added or want them to review, you can modify the message to meet your needs:

By completing your order, you agree to our {{ terms_of_service }}, {{ refund_policy }}, {{ shipping_policy }}, and have viewed our {{ contact_information }}.

Click Save.

Optional: If your default language is a language other than English, then provide a translation for your checkout text for a more localized experience. Learn more about managing languages and the Translate & Adapt app.

9. Pre-launch testing

Learn more about preparing your store for launch.

Considerations

• Testing from different regions helps identify shipping and market configuration issues.
• Test orders verify the full flow from checkout through fulfillment.

Checkout testing

Test the checkout flow from different regions to confirm payments and shipping display correctly.

Test successful and failed transactions.

Test checkout as a customer from each target market.

Verify payment methods work.

Verify shipping rates display correctly.

Confirm products don't show as "sold out" incorrectly.

Place a test order and verify order sync with dropshipping app (if applicable).

Order management testing

Test fulfilling, refunding, and canceling orders so you are ready to handle real orders.

Test refunding and canceling orders.

Test fulfilling and partially fulfilling orders.

Test archiving successful orders.

Verify tracking numbers sync from dropshipping app to Shopify, if applicable.

Confirm the customer receives a shipping notification with tracking.

10. Launch your store

Complete the following steps to make your store live for customers.

Verify all payment methods are out of test mode.

Confirm shipping rates display correctly for all target markets.

Remove your online store password to give customers access.

11. Marketing setup

Promote your store and connect sales channels to reach customers in your target markets.

Considerations

• Merchants in China can't use the Facebook app and Instagram by Meta app directly.
• Facebook Ads require setup through an authorized Facebook Ad reseller in China.
• Approval from both the reseller and Facebook can take 2-3 business days.
• Meta pixel can still be added to track customer interactions from Facebook campaigns.
• Each sales channel has eligibility requirements based on your region, product types, and Shopify plan.

Facebook Ads setup (China-based merchants)

If you are in China and want to run Facebook Ads, work with an authorized reseller and complete the following.

Choose an authorized Facebook Ad reseller:

• MeetSocial
• YinoLink

Prepare required documents for reseller application:

• Valid mobile number in China
• Valid email address
• Scanned copy of Chinese Business License (JPEG or PNG)
• 18-digit business license number
• Business name as stated on license
• Business address as stated on license

Submit application and wait for approval (2-3 business days).

After approval, set a password for your new Facebook account. Learn more about how to reset your Facebook password.

Purchase Facebook Ad Credits from the reseller.

Create campaigns in Facebook Ads Manager.

Meta Pixel integration

Add the Meta pixel to your store to measure the impact of your Facebook campaigns.

Add Meta pixel to your Shopify store to track customer interactions from Facebook.

Other sales channels

You can sell on external websites and other channels in addition to your online store.

Sell with Buy Buttons to embed products on external websites.

Promote your business

Improve discoverability and promote your store to reach more customers.

Define your home page metadata for SEO.

Promote your store.

12. Post-launch

After launch, monitor orders and protect your store from fraud and chargebacks.

Considerations

• Chargeback rates are monitored and high rates can result in payment account suspension.
• Prompt customer communication helps prevent disputes.
• Dropshipping inventory should stay synced to avoid overselling.
• Cross-border orders with mismatched billing/shipping addresses warrant extra verification.

Fraud prevention

Learn more about fraud analysis and order protection.

Review Shopify's fraud analysis for each order before fulfilling.

For high-value orders ($100 USD+), verify billing address matches shipping address.

Contact customers to confirm order details if risk indicators are present.

Consider canceling orders where billing and shipping addresses are in different countries.

Set up Shopify Flow (if available on your plan) to flag suspicious orders automatically.

Ongoing monitoring

Keep an eye on orders, chargebacks, and inventory so you can respond to issues quickly.

Monitor orders for fulfillment issues.

Track chargeback rate to avoid payment account suspension.

Respond promptly to customer inquiries to prevent disputes.

Keep dropshipping app synced for accurate inventory, if applicable.