Why can't I use Shopify payment without a US address?

[Grace_Cheung]

Dears:

We opened our first shopify store 1 year ago , and last month shopify payment requests us to provide them the following materials so we can continue to use "shopify payment", otherwise, we won't be ablt o use it. Could anyone give us some suggestions? Since we are not able to provide these documents as we do not have an office at USA.

- Proof of address"

- A valid tax ID at US

- A USA checking account statement

Thanks

Grace

[Don]

Hi there, @Grace_Cheung!

Thanks for reaching out and outlining your query for us here in the Shopify Community.

Generally speaking, in order for payment gateway processors to abide by laws and regulations such as Know Your Customer requirements it will be necessary for them to verify the identity and business operations of their customers.

Shopify Payments is no different, and if you're using Shopify Payments USA (for example) while you are personally not based there, you'd need to provide a number of documents showing your locus of business operations there as well as your personal ID to show you have permission to do business there.

I know that the proof of address requirement is generally the most important one to have, as that would constitute evidence of your actually doing business in that region.

Should you not be in a position to provide these documents, you might need to consider basing your store in a region where you can do so in order to be able to continue to process payments from your customers.

If you're happy to share where in the world that may be, I can share a list of gateways with you here so you can consider your options.

All the best!

[Grace_Cheung]

Hello Don,

Many thanks for your helps and replyes.

Yes, both our office and license are based at China, is this location acceptable for Shopify?

Grace

[Don]

Hi again, @Grace_Cheung!

Thanks for getting back to me here and confirming where your store is located.

If your Shopify store is based in China, you can choose from among the following payment gateways available for use there.

At the moment, Shopify Payments is not available for use in China so you'd need to select an alternative from among the list of those available.

Spend some time researching those options and try reaching out to some of the providers you're interested in to see if they can support your business.

Can you tell me a little about what you're selling and anything you're working on for your business currently?

[Grace_Cheung]

Hello Don,

I have switched our shopify store location from USA to Hong Kong, since we would like to use Shopify Payment HK, how can we use the shopify payment HK ?

Grace

[Don]

Hi again, @Grace_Cheung!

Thanks for updating me here again!

I can share some info on the types of documentation you might be required to submit in terms of using Shopify Payments Hong Kong as an example here.

Hong Kong Identity card — Photos of the front and back are required

If the passport or Identity Card is not available, one of the following may be accepted:

• Certificate of Registered Particulars 
• Certificate of Exemption
• Vietnamese refugee card

If an address verification document is required for an individual, it must show the individual's personal name and address.

For proof of address, the following documents can be considered:

• Utility Bill - Must be dated, and cannot be older than 6 months.

• Bank Statement - Must be dated, and cannot be older than 6 months.

• Telephone/mobile phone bill - Must be dated, and cannot be older than 6 months.

• Certificate of Registered Particulars

• Insurance company statement - Must be dated, and cannot be older than 6 months.

• Government or Judiciary issued document - Must be dated, and cannot be older than 6 months.

• Tenancy agreement - Must be dated, and cannot be older than 6 months.

• Contract for sale of property - Must be dated, and cannot be older than 6 months.

• University bill or letter - Must be dated, and cannot be older than 6 months.

You may also be asked to provide business documentation such as registration:

• For sole props and partnerships: Business registration certificate, showing 8 digit BR number (BRN) (example)

• For any other business type: Certificate of Incorporation, showing Company Registration Number (CRN) (example)

As well as proof of address for your business there, for which you can provide similar documentation as above.

If you can provide these documents you can apply to use Shopify Payments Hong Kong.

[Grace_Cheung]

Hello Don,

Many thanks for your reply.

How we can now switch to Shopify HK in  our store in my case?

Could you please kinldy give us some instructions on the transfer?

Many thanks

Grace

[Don]

Hi again @Grace_Cheung!

The payment gateways available for you to use would be based on your store location, so you would just need to update your store address in the settings to match your Hong Kong location.

You may need to deactivate your current gateway in order to update this setting.

Once you have done so you will see the options available to stores in Hong Kong, which should include Shopify Payments.

You may be requested to submit documentation such as outlined above, to show your permission to do business and proof of operations there, either via a banner in your Shopify admin or via email to your account owner email address.

All the best!