How to setup a custom payment gateway in 2023

Topic summary

A merchant from Nepal seeks guidance on integrating a local payment gateway with Shopify, as the platform doesn’t natively support payment providers in their country.

Suggested Solutions:

  • Explore third-party payment gateway apps in Shopify’s App Store that bridge local providers
  • Use alternative processors like PayPal or Stripe if they support the region (though additional fees may apply)
  • Pursue custom development via Shopify’s API with technical expertise or hired developers
  • Consult Shopify Experts for tailored integration solutions

Key Challenges Raised:

  • One user reports that custom payment plugins may violate Shopify’s terms of service by processing payments outside the official checkout, with no clear path to formal integration
  • Merchants from Tunisia face similar barriers, noting that even established payment gateways struggle to gain Shopify approval after a year
  • Questions remain about whether Shopify must approve each specific integration

Status: The discussion remains unresolved, with no definitive solution for countries lacking native Shopify payment support. A link to Nepal-specific payment gateway options was shared but effectiveness is unconfirmed.

Summarized with AI on October 31. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.

Hi there! I hope everything is going well. I’m from Nepal, and there is no payment provider on Shopify for my country. I really like the simplicity of Shopify, so I decided to start my store on the platform, but now I’m struggling to integrate my country’s payment gateway providers with Shopify. I have researched, but I’m not able to find a way to do it. Can you please help me with how to set up a custom payment gateway in 2023?

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Hello! I understand your situation and the importance of having a payment gateway that supports your country in order to run your store effectively. While integrating a custom payment gateway with Shopify requires technical expertise and may not be directly supported by the platform, there are a few options you can explore:

  1. Third-party payment gateways: Research if there are any third-party payment gateway providers that offer integration with Shopify for your country. These providers specialize in bridging the gap between local payment gateways and Shopify. You can check Shopify’s App Store or reach out to Shopify support for recommendations on third-party payment gateway integrations.

  2. Shopify Payments alternative: If Shopify’s default payment gateway, Shopify Payments, is not available in your country, you can consider using alternative payment solutions. These include third-party payment processors like PayPal, Stripe, or other regional payment providers that are compatible with Shopify. While these options may have additional transaction fees, they can be viable alternatives if they support your country.

  3. Custom development: If you have technical expertise or can hire a developer, you can explore the option of creating a custom payment gateway integration for your country. Shopify provides an API (Application Programming Interface) that allows developers to build custom integrations. However, this approach requires advanced coding knowledge and compliance with security and payment processing regulations.

  4. Shopify Experts: Consider reaching out to Shopify Experts, who are experienced professionals that specialize in various aspects of Shopify development. They can help you explore custom solutions, provide guidance, or develop a tailored payment integration for your specific needs.

It’s important to note that the availability of payment gateways may vary based on your country’s regulations and partnerships between Shopify and payment providers. Keep researching and exploring the options available to find the best solution for your business. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Shopify support or consult with local experts who may have experience with payment integrations in your country.

Hi,

Were you able to find a solution? I found this list of payment gateways for Nepal: https://www.shopify.com/payment-gateways/nepal

Let me know if this helps!

1 Like

Hi PMike.. regarding option 3 - i would like to do this, however have been told that it conflicts with Shopify’s terms of use - specifically that I can’t build a plugin that processes payments outside of Shopify’s checkout, yet i cannot find a way to engage with shopify to formally integrate with their checkout process. Please could you point me in the direction of how i can do #3?

I need a custom payment gateway for ICICI, I have that code already in Javascript, PHP, JAVA, .net, and I have to create the same plugin for Shopify.

We have this problem as well in our Country (Tunisia) and i think it is blocking and we definetly can’t use third party like Stripe or Paypal (we only have local currencies cards)

Also a well know Payment Gateway solution is trying to approve a payment solution for our country for over a year with no results

So the Questions remains, does shopify have to approve each specific integration that i do on my website ?