Shopify Balance adds international supplier payments

Eligible US merchants can now pay overseas suppliers from the Shopify Balance mobile app. Shopify announced international payments on 6 October, adding another way to manage supplier spending alongside store funds.

Where it works

Shopify’s Help Center says the business must be US-based and the recipient must have a bank account in a supported country. Transfers are initiated in the iOS or Android Balance app; the admin can show their transaction history but cannot initiate them.

The current destination list includes the UK, Canada, Australia and several European countries, plus Hong Kong and Mexico. Check the live list for the supplier’s bank location rather than assuming every overseas destination is supported.

Read the full payment quote

Shopify lists a fixed transfer charge plus a percentage exchange fee. The app shows the rate, fees and recipient amount before confirmation. The receiving bank may add its own charge.

International payments share the account’s daily transfer limit with domestic transfers. Shopify estimates delivery at one to three business days; that is an estimate, not a guaranteed supplier receipt date.

Before using it for a restock

Our recommendation is to compare providers using the same invoice currency and the same amount the supplier must receive. A low fixed fee alone does not settle the comparison: check the exchange rate, total debit, receiving charges and delivery estimate together.

Confirm the supplier’s legal name and bank details through your established contact before saving a new recipient. Match the payment record to the invoice and purchase order, then leave enough time for the supplier to acknowledge receipt before production or dispatch depends on it.

A payment confirmation and a confirmed delivery date answer different questions. Keep both in the restock plan so the team can see whether a delay concerns funds, production or transport.

For the receiving side of the restock plan, see our guide to Shopify POS stock counts and staff permissions.