What's the best international payment option for a UK business with UAE customers?

Topic summary

A UK-based business owner asks about accepting payments from UAE customers without opening a UAE bank account.

Key Recommendations:

  • Keep the UK bank account and business structure since taxes are paid where the business is registered
  • Use Shopify Payments (available in UK) to accept credit card payments from UAE customers directly into the UK account
  • Avoid mixing bank account locations with business registration to prevent complications

Important Clarifications:

  • Shopify Payments is NOT available for UAE-based businesses
  • UAE customers can pay via credit card to a UK-based store without issues
  • Alternative payment gateways for UAE are available if needed, though research is recommended
  • Expanding operations to UAE would require a local trade license, bank account, and payment gateway

Side Discussion:

  • A New Zealand merchant reports Shopify flagging international transactions and subsequently closing website access, with recommendation to use third-party gateways
  • Stripe integration suggested as alternative payment solution
Summarized with AI on October 30. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.

That works, thanks

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