Introduction
When launching a Shopify store for global sales, two questions are critical:
How do I get paid? and How do I ship orders efficiently?
This guide helps you fully understand Shopify’s payment and shipping settings, allowing you to confidently sell to customers worldwide.
1. Payment Gateways: How to Receive Money from Around the World
a. Shopify-Supported Payment Methods
- Shopify Payments (for supported countries)
- PayPal Express Checkout
- Third-party gateways: Stripe, 2Checkout, PingPong, LianLian, etc.
- Manual payments: bank transfer, cash on delivery (not recommended globally)
b. Recommended Setups by Region
| Region | Recommended Payment Methods |
|---|---|
| US / Europe | Shopify Payments, Stripe, PayPal |
| China | PayPal + local gateways (PingPong, LianLian) |
| Middle East | PayPal + 2Checkout |
c. How to Set Up PayPal on Shopify (Example: Chinese Seller)
- Sign up for a PayPal Business Account
- Go to Shopify Admin → Settings → Payments
- Enable “PayPal Express Checkout”
- Confirm the linked email matches your PayPal account
- Activate and test the connection
d. Pro Tips
- Set your store currency: Admin → Settings → Store Details
- Enable automatic capture of payments for faster order processing
- Use currency switcher apps for multi-currency shopping
2. Shipping Settings: From Warehouse to Customer
a. Shopify Shipping Models
- Self-fulfillment
- Third-party logistics (3PL): Easyship, ShipStation, etc.
- Dropshipping: via DSers, CJdropshipping, AliExpress
b. How to Set Shipping Zones
- Admin → Settings → Shipping and Delivery
- Click “Manage Rates”
- Add countries/regions (e.g. US, Europe, Japan)
- Set shipping rates per region
💡 Example: Free shipping for orders over $50, otherwise $5 flat rate
c. Common Shipping Rate Strategies
| Type | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Flat Rate | Standard product sizes |
| Free Shipping | Promotions, encourage larger carts |
| Weight-Based | For heavy or varied items |
| Real-Time Rates | FedEx/UPS integration (advanced) |
d. Integrate Easyship (3rd-Party Logistics)
- Install Easyship app from Shopify App Store
- Connect your warehouse or shipping partners
- Define shipping rules and delivery zones
- Enable real-time rates at checkout
3. Automate Notifications & Tracking
- Shopify sends order & shipping confirmation emails by default
- Go to Admin → Settings → Notifications to customize templates
- Use apps like Tracktor, Parcel Panel, or AfterShip to add real-time order tracking on your site
4. Common Questions
Q: Can I withdraw PayPal funds to my Chinese bank account?
A: Yes. Link your bank (e.g. ICBC, CCB) in PayPal and withdraw in 2–5 business days.
Q: How does Shopify show shipping rates for different countries?
A: By setting Shipping Zones. Shopify auto-detects the buyer’s country and shows the corresponding rate.
Q: How to offer free shipping over a certain amount?
A: Go to Shipping settings → Add price-based condition → Set $X minimum = $0 shipping fee.
5. Conclusion
Getting paid and shipping efficiently are the backbone of Shopify store operations. By setting up your payment gateways and shipping zones properly, you lay the groundwork for seamless global transactions.
Start with:
- Linking PayPal or Stripe
- Setting up delivery zones and rules
- Adding tracking systems
- Scaling up with 3rd-party shipping or warehouses as you grow