UAE Free Zone Company for Shopify Store — Complete Guide 2026
Setting up a Shopify store with a UAE free zone company provides access to better payment processing, banking, and international credibility. Here is the 2026 guide.
In this guide:
Why Use a UAE Company for Your Shopify Store
- Stripe UAE: UAE company required to use Stripe as Shopify payment gateway
- Shopify Payments: Not available in UAE (as of 2026); Stripe UAE is the alternative
- PayPal Business: UAE company recommended for higher PayPal limits and business features
- UAE AED pricing: UAE company allows you to sell in AED to UAE customers at correct VAT rates
Setting Up Shopify with UAE Company
- Set up UAE free zone company (IFZA or SPC recommended for e-commerce)
- Open UAE business bank account (Wio Business or Mashreq Neo Business)
- Set up Stripe UAE (using your UAE company trade licence)
- In Shopify admin: Settings > Payments > Choose Stripe as payment provider
- Activate UAE Store currency (AED) if selling to UAE customers
UAE VAT for Shopify Stores
- Selling to UAE consumers (B2C): 5% UAE VAT applies on sales
- VAT registration required when annual UAE-consumer sales exceed AED 375,000
- Shopify can automatically calculate and collect UAE VAT at checkout (5% rate)
- Register on EmaraTax for UAE VAT number; add to Shopify store
Best UAE Free Zone Activities for Shopify/E-Commerce
- E-commerce (General)
- Online Retail Trading
- Import and Export (if holding inventory)
- Digital Products (for digital download stores)