Store created with UK address but currently in Japan: How to handle payments and future transition?

Shopify Discussion
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Hi everyone!

I’m in a bit of a unique situation and I’ve received conflicting advice from the Shopify AI assistant, so I would love some human expert perspective.

My Situation:

  • I have already created my store and set the Store Address to the UK because that is my target market and I am moving there in a few months.

  • However, I am currently physically located in Japan and I only have a Japanese bank account at the moment.

  • I have already finished my store design, menu structure, and integrated my suppliers.

My Questions:

  1. Payments: Can I keep the UK address but link a Japanese bank account for now? Or will Shopify Payments flag/block my account due to the location mismatch (Japan IP vs UK address)?

  2. Changing Region Later: Once I move to the UK and get my local residency, bank account, and proof of address, will I be able to simply update my store details without issues? The AI suggested I might have to “start from scratch” with a new store, and I really want to avoid losing all my hard work.

  3. Temporary Setup: If I change my store address to Japan now to match my current bank account, can I still sell in GBP (£) using Shopify Markets? And how easy is it to switch the “Store Currency” from JPY to GBP once I’m officially settled in the UK?

I want to make sure I’m doing everything by the book so I don’t get my account suspended before I even launch.

Thanks so much for your help! :sparkles:

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This was a mistake. A potentially big mistake that could get you suspended anyway. Luckily, Shopify is way more relaxed on rules than other platforms like Google. Depending on if you set the address at the exact location you absolutely without a doubt know for a fact you will be going to, or if you just picked some random address in an area you think you’re going. Only you know the answer to that. And only you can decide what you want to do now.

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If you use Easy•Pie Checkout, a third-party checkout solution, your Shopify store address and currency don’t matter.

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