Can I set my Shopify store location to US or Europe from South Korea?

Payments + Shipping & Fulfilment
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Topic summary

A South Korea-based merchant wants to sell to US and European customers but cannot access Shopify Payments, Stripe, or PayPal from their current location. They’re considering setting their store location to the US or Europe to enable these payment methods.

Official Response:

  • Store location must accurately reflect where the business operates
  • Changing location to access payment gateways may violate Shopify’s Terms of Service
  • For Shopify Payments (US), merchants must be legal US residents or registered business entities authorized to operate in the US
  • Recommended reviewing both Shopify’s and payment providers’ terms before making changes

Alternative Suggestion:

  • One user shared a workaround for using Stripe US accounts regardless of store location (via LinkedIn article)

Status: The question about tax duties remains unaddressed. No clear compliant solution provided for Korea-based merchants seeking these payment methods.

Summarized with AI on November 3. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
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Hi, I’m based in South Korea and I am generating a new Shopify store. I’m targeting to sell my products to customers in the US and Europe but payment method such as Stripe, Shopay, and Paypal seem to be unavailable to use in Korea. Is it okay to set my location as United States or somewhere else in Europe for my Store? I’m confused with all the tax duties and stuff.

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Hi, @Chrischa !
Thanks for reaching out in our Community Forums and for sharing your concern, I’d be happy to help.

I understand that you are currently in the process of setting up your Payment gateway for your store. However, there are specific conditions that must be followed in order to ensure that you are in compliance with the terms. For instance, you must maintain an accurate location in the Shopify Admin. Before moving forward with the change, you will want to review Shopify’s terms of service, as well as the payment gateway’s terms to ensure that you are following the correct requirements.

For example, here are the terms that must be followed if you were looking to register for a Shopify Payments Account in the US: You are obliged to identify the location from where you are operating the business that will use the Payments Services in United States. By registering for a Shopify Payments Account, you are confirming that you are either a legal resident of United States or you are duly established and, if necessary, registered or licensed as a business entity authorized to conduct business in United States.

Hope this helps!

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If you have a Stripe US account here is the solution that works regardless your store’s location >> https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/boost-your-us-shopify-sales-accept-various-payment-methods-uol5f

6 Likes