Setting up payments for merchants in China
Payment collection is one of the most important priorities when setting up your store. Your available payment options depend on where your business is located.
On this page
Payment options by location
| Business location | Shopify Payments | Third-party providers |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland China | Not available | Required for payment collection |
| Hong Kong SAR | Available (with physical presence) | Available as alternative or supplement |
Shopify Payments for Hong Kong SAR
Shopify Payments integrates directly with your Shopify admin, supports multiple currencies, and offers competitive transaction rates.
Eligibility requirements
To use Shopify Payments in Hong Kong SAR, you must meet the following requirements:
- Physical operations in Hong Kong SAR: Your business must have a verifiable physical presence in Hong Kong SAR, not just a registered address.
- Eligible business type: Corporations, partnerships, and non-profit organizations are eligible. Mainland China residents can't use individual or sole proprietorship business types for Shopify Payments. Learn more about Shopify Payments eligibility.
- Compliant business activities: Your products and services must comply with the Shopify Payments Terms of Service.
- HKD bank account: You need a Hong Kong SAR dollar bank account for receiving payouts.
Required documents
Prepare the following documents before starting the setup process:
| Document type | Accepted documents |
|---|---|
| Business registration | Business license, Certificate of Incorporation, or Business Registration Number certificate (BRN) |
| Identity verification | Hong Kong SAR Identity Card (HKID) for residents, or passport for non-residents of corporations/partnerships |
| Proof of business address | Commercial lease agreement, utility bill, or warehouse agreement showing your Hong Kong SAR business address |
| Proof of shipping operations | Documentation showing you fulfill orders from your registered Hong Kong SAR location |
Set up Shopify Payments
From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Payments.
In the Shopify Payments section, click Activate Shopify Payments.
Select Hong Kong SAR as your country.
Enter your business information exactly as it appears on your official documents:
- Business name (must match your Certificate of Incorporation or Business Registration)
- Business Registration Number (BRN)
- Business address
Enter your personal information as the account representative:
- Legal name (must match your HKID or passport)
- Date of birth
- Hong Kong SAR ID number or passport number
- Residential address
Connect your HKD bank account:
- Bank name
- Account number
- The beneficiary name must match your business name (for corporations) or personal name (for individuals)
Complete identity verification by uploading required documents or completing the liveness check.
Activate two-step authentication on your Shopify account. This is required to receive payouts.
Review and accept the Shopify Payments Terms of Service.
Click Complete account setup.
Identity verification considerations
When completing identity verification, pay attention to the following common issues:
HKID vs. passport
- Hong Kong SAR residents: Use your Hong Kong SAR Identity Card (HKID). This is required for individuals and sole proprietorships.
- Non-residents: If you're a mainland China resident operating a Hong Kong SAR corporation or partnership, then you can use your Chinese passport.
English vs. Chinese names
- Enter your name exactly as it appears on your identity document.
- If your HKID displays both English and Chinese names, then use the English version in the Shopify form.
- Ensure your name matches across your identity document, Shopify account, and bank account.
Learn more about identity verification for Shopify Payments in Hong Kong SAR.
Understanding fees
Shopify Payments in Hong Kong SAR charges the following fees:
- Transaction fees: 3.1% - 3.3% + 2.35 HKD per transaction, depending on your plan.
- Currency conversion fees: 2% when customers pay in a currency other than Hong Kong SAR dollars (HKD). Learn more about currency conversion fees.
- No additional Shopify transaction fees: Unlike third-party providers, Shopify Payments doesn't incur the additional transaction fee that Shopify charges when using other payment providers.
Learn more about fees for Shopify Payments in Hong Kong SAR.
Third-party payment providers
If you're based in mainland China, or if Shopify Payments doesn't meet your needs, then you can use third-party payment providers.
Choosing a provider
When selecting a third-party payment provider, consider the following factors:
| Factor | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Target market payment methods | Does the provider support payment methods popular in your target markets? For US customers, credit cards are essential. For EU customers, consider local methods such as iDEAL | Wero or Klarna. |
| Transaction fees | Compare the total cost including transaction fees, cross-border fees, and currency conversion fees. |
| Payout schedule | How often does the provider send payouts? What currencies can you receive? |
| Currency support | Can you accept payments in multiple currencies? Is your preferred store currency supported? |
| Verification requirements | What documents are required? How long does verification take? |
Payment providers for China-based merchants
Several third-party payment providers support merchants in mainland China. When evaluating options, review providers for the following features:
- International customer recognition and trust
- Chinese yuan (CNY) payout support
- Multi-currency processing
- Cross-border e-commerce specialization
- Fraud protection features
Setup requirements for third-party providers
Most third-party providers require the following information:
- Valid email address and mobile phone number
- Chinese Business License (营业执照)
- Legal representative identity document
- Bank account details for payouts
- Business website or store URL
Specific requirements vary by provider. Review the provider's documentation for detailed requirements.
Activate a third-party provider
From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Payments.
In the Payment providers section, click Choose a provider or Add payment methods.
Search for your preferred provider or browse available options.
Click the provider name, and then click Activate.
Follow the provider's setup instructions. This typically involves the following steps:
- Creating an account with the provider
- Completing identity and business verification
- Connecting your provider account to Shopify
Configure any provider-specific settings.
Click Save to activate the provider.
Additional Shopify transaction fees
When you use third-party payment providers instead of Shopify Payments, Shopify charges an additional transaction fee on each order based on your plan. The transaction fee is in addition to any fees charged by your payment provider. The following table has the transaction fee amounts based on the Shopify plan.
| Plan | Additional transaction fee |
|---|---|
| Basic | 2.0% |
| Shopify | 1.0% |
| Advanced | 0.6% |
| Plus | 0.2% |
Setting up multiple payment methods
Offering customers multiple payment options can increase conversions by letting them pay with their preferred method.
Steps:
From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Payments.
Set up your primary payment provider (Shopify Payments or a third-party provider).
In the Additional payment methods section, click Add payment methods.
Add supplementary options such as:
Configure each payment method according to the provider's instructions.
Learn more about configuring payment providers.
Common payment issues
If you run into problems with payments, then the following sections can help you resolve them.
Test mode left active
If customers report they can't complete payment, then ensure test mode is deactivated.
Steps:
From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Payments.
Review the Shopify Payments or payment provider section.
If "Test mode" or "Sandbox mode" is displayed, then click Manage or Settings.
Deactivate test mode to accept real payments.
High chargeback rates
Chargebacks occur when customers dispute charges with their bank. High chargeback rates can result in account reserves, increased processing fees, or account suspension.
The following can help prevent chargebacks:
- Provide clear product descriptions and images.
- Display accurate shipping times and tracking information.
- Respond promptly to customer inquiries.
- Use clear billing descriptors that customers recognize.
- Consider using Shopify Protect for eligible orders.
Learn more about preventing chargebacks and the chargeback process.
Payout delays
If you're not receiving payouts as expected, then review the following areas:
- Verify your bank account information is correct.
- Confirm whether your account is on hold due to verification requirements.
- Ensure two-step authentication is activated (required for Shopify Payments).
- Review any notifications in your Shopify admin about account issues.
- Confirm the expected payout timing for your region.
Learn more about failed payouts and lower or missing payouts.