Why can't I select a country during checkout?

Topic summary

Core Issue:
Store owners encounter a non-responsive country/region dropdown during checkout, preventing customers from completing purchases. The field appears blank or unclickable, blocking progression to payment.

Root Cause & Solution:
The problem stems from missing shipping zone configurations. Countries must be explicitly added to shipping zones to appear in the checkout dropdown.

Resolution Steps:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Shipping > Manage rates
  2. Set up shipping zones and rates for each target country
  3. For newer Shopify versions: Go to Settings > Markets > International > Activate
  4. For digital/pickup-only products: Disable “requires shipping” in product settings

Key Points:

  • Any country without a configured shipping zone will not appear as selectable
  • Multiple users confirmed this solution resolved their issues
  • The problem can occur suddenly after Shopify updates to the Markets feature
  • Screenshots show the dropdown appearing completely blank when misconfigured

Current Status:
Multiple participants successfully resolved the issue using these steps, though several newer inquiries remain unanswered and appear to need individual troubleshooting assistance.

Summarized with AI on November 1. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.

Hi Brie

this is the screenshot of the error I get when checking out. My store address is :

https://el-ocaso-apparel.myshopify.com/collections/jewelry/products/s925-hollow-semi-circular-zircon-earrings-fashion-wild-trend-womens-sterling-silver-jewelry

And that is the product I tried to buy, the delivery address is in York, Ontario, Canada.

Please help. Is it possible to contact you via email or private messages? Thank you

Hey, @ElOcasoApparel !

Thanks for the link and the screenshot. I’m able to checkout with that product with a variety of Canadian addresses, without receiving any errors:

Would you mind sharing a screenshot of the exact order you were checking out with? Thanks!

1 Like

@Brie

Hi Brie,

I also have same issue cannot selecting country during checkout in my web, can you help me, please?

Hey, @TobyNg1 !

I’d be happy to give you a hand with that. Have you already setup shipping rates for all of the countries that you ship to? As mentioned in the above thread, any countries that aren’t included in a shipping zone won’t be selectable in the checkout. You can check your zones by navigating to Settings > Shipping > Manage rates (beside each shipping profile). You’ll see all of the countries you currently have shipping zones for under the “Shipping to” section. You can find more help with that here. If you’ve done this already, let me know and I can take a look for you. Cheers!

2 Likes

Hi @Brie ,

Problem is fixed, thank you very much!

@TobyNg1 -

Glad to hear it! Have a good one.

My customers cannot select Country of Origin at Checkout.

I’ve read about changing the settings for where shipping to, but I do not ship or deliver items.

Help?

Thanks, pattyfca

Hey, @pattyfca !

If those are digital products, you likely just need to turn off the “this item requires shipping” option in the product’s settings. Are those digital, or are your items pickup only? Cheers!

Hi Brie!

I follow your guide. But It doesn’t worked for some reason .

and I have also a message that sad (your payment can’t be processed for technical reasons).

for payment method I used paypal .

Would you please look for my store?

I was having the same problem. That is a new update in shopify.

  1. Go to Settings->markets

  2. You will see International by scrolling down.

  3. Go to Manage-> ACTIVATE

That is it. Hope it works for you.

Now create shipping zones and rates for different countries as per your store products and deliveries.

4 Likes

I have the same problem. While I do have my send settings set right.

Hi Brie, Im having the same problem… Rates are setup correctly for the USA but USA does not appear on the drop down? The product’s weight is also within with the rate specs so it’s not that. see attached, and her is the store link: https://www.deskstand.com/

THIS FIXED MY PROBLEM THANKS MATE!

Hello brie i have the same problem with my store can you check it please

Hey , I was facing the same issue. I tried what you said . In the country/region drop-down it’s only showing United States, though I want other countries to be shown too. As my customers are texting me this Issue. I have mentioned other countries in the shipment zone but it’s not showing. Help Please.

Hey ,

I have the same problem how can i solve it ?

Or From where can I set a country as you said

Hey ,

I have the same issue as I did everything you said up for my friend but still its not working its showing like this

hey can you help please !

How did you fixed the problem ?

I did same as she required but it didnt work

Where can I send you the screenshots, my country/reigon is blank too,

I have the same problem