Right now, there’s a fashion entrepreneur in Capetown selling handmade jewellery to customers in New York. In Durban, someone is running a thriving skincare brand with orders pouring in from Germany. This is the power of Shopify, a platform that has democratised global e-commerce.

Shopify enables entrepreneurs to create online stores, manage inventory, process payments, and ship products globally from a single dashboard. Its ease of use, integration with payment providers, and access to a global audience have made it a favourite for small business owners and side hustlers across South Africa.

But while Shopify helps you sell worldwide, getting paid isn't always as straightforward, especially if you're based in South Africa. Shopify doesn’t directly support local banking infrastructure, and many South African merchants struggle with receiving payouts from international customers.

If you’re wondering how to receive your Shopify earnings in South Africa without the frustration of high fees or delays, this is for you.

How does Shopify pay sellers globally?

Shopify facilitates payouts through two main channels:

• Shopify Payments: Shopify’s in-house payment system is available only in select countries like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.Note: Shopify Payments is not available in South Africa.
• Third-party payment gateways: These include platforms like PayPal, Payoneer, and Stripe. These providers process customer payments and deposit your earnings into a bank account you provide.

In South Africa, most Shopify sellers rely on third-party options to receive their money. However, even then, receiving and converting these funds into South African rand (ZAR) can be frustrating and expensive.

Also read: Sending money to South Africa from the US? Here’s the cheapest way

Why South African sellers struggle with Shopify payouts

Selling internationally is only half the battle. The real challenge for many South African merchants begins when it’s time to collect their funds. Here’s why:

• No access to Shopify Payments: You’re forced to use third-party providers, which often have limitations for non-US or non-EU users.
• Foreign bank requirements: Platforms like Payoneer and PayPal often require you to link a USD, GBP, or EUR bank account. Most local banks don’t provide that.
• High currency conversion fees: Even when you manage to get paid, converting earnings to ZAR through traditional banks can chip away at your income.
• Slow withdrawal processes: Payments often take days to clear, and moving money to a local bank account can take even longer.

How to receive Shopify earnings in South Africa with Grey

Grey is a digital banking platform that offers virtual foreign accounts in USD, GBP, and EUR. It’s built specifically for freelancers, creators, remote workers, and e-commerce sellers like you.

Here’s how you can start receiving your Shopify earnings in South Africa with Grey:

1. Create your Grey account

Visit Grey's website or download the app from the App Store or Google Play. Sign up using your email and complete your profile with basic details.

2. Verify your identity

To comply with financial regulations, you’ll need to upload a valid form of ID and proof of address. This process is usually completed within 24 hours.

3. Open your virtual foreign account

Once verified, you’ll have access to foreign bank accounts in:

• USD (US bank details)
• GBP (UK bank details)
• EUR (EU/SEPA bank details)

These accounts come with your account number, routing code, SWIFT/BIC, and IBAN, depending on the region — making them ready to receive international payouts.

4. Connect Grey to your Shopify payment provider

If you’re using PayPal, Payoneer, or Stripe, simply input your Grey account details as your payout destination:

• Go to Shopify Seller Central
• Navigate to Settings > Payments
• Add or update your payout account details using your Grey virtual bank info

Once set, Shopify will route your earnings to your chosen payment gateway, and your earnings will land in your Grey account.

5. Convert your earnings and withdraw in ZAR

Log in to your Grey dashboard to view your balance in USD, GBP, or EUR. You can:

• Instantly convert your funds to ZAR at highly competitive exchange rates
• Withdraw directly to your South African bank account
• Or hold your funds in foreign currency and withdraw later when rates are more favourable

Also read: Best ways to receive international wire transfers in South Africa

Why Grey is ideal for South African Shopify sellers

Grey takes the complexity out of international payments, helping South African merchants manage earnings more efficiently. Here’s what makes it a perfect fit:

• No need for a foreign residency: Open USD, GBP, and EUR accounts from within South Africa
• Low fees: Avoid the high fees of PayPal withdrawals and traditional currency exchanges
• Fast transactions: Get paid quickly and convert or withdraw funds in minutes
• Real exchange rates: No hidden markups — what you see is what you get
• Mobile-first platform: Manage all your international earnings from your phone

Additional tips for Shopify entrepreneurs in South Africa

• Track exchange rates: Use the Grey currency converter to monitor the best times to convert earnings.
• Keep financial records: Export transaction history from Grey to stay tax-compliant and plan your cash flow.
• Diversify your payment options: Offer multiple gateways (e.g., PayPal and Payoneer) to give customers flexibility and speed up payments.
• Leverage Grey for other platforms: Use your Grey account to also receive funds from Fiverr, Upwork, Amazon, or affiliate platforms.

Also read: How to receive your Shopify earnings using Grey

Get paid globally, spend locally with Grey

You’ve worked hard to build your brand and sell to international customers — now it’s time to get paid properly. Grey makes it possible to receive your Shopify earnings in USD, GBP, or EUR, convert them at fair rates, and access your funds from anywhere in South Africa.

Create your Grey account today or download the app to enjoy inclusive global banking, designed to help you carry your dreams across borders.

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