Shopify agency for brands in Antigua and Barbuda
Shopify stores for Antiguan producers, boutiques and tourism brands, selling to locals, yacht crews, cruise passengers and visitors who want to order again from home.
Shopify experts for Antigua brands
Antigua and Barbuda is a small twin-island nation where tourism drives the economy. Cruise ships dock in St John’s, Antigua Sailing Week fills English Harbour with yachts, and visitors come for the beaches and Nelson’s Dockyard. Local businesses sell rum, hot sauces, the famous Antigua black pineapple products, resort wear and art, mostly to visitors. Many residents also order goods from the US through freight forwarders based in Miami.
BOOST STAR Experts helps Antiguan businesses build Shopify stores that work for visitors, residents and customers overseas. We set up card payments that work for Eastern Caribbean businesses, local delivery and pickup, international shipping for products that travel well and email marketing to stay in touch with visitors. Time zones are far apart, so we plan work carefully around your mornings.
Selling online in Antigua and Barbuda: what your store needs
Cards and Caribbean payment gateways
Visitors and many residents pay by Visa or Mastercard, and US dollars are widely accepted alongside Eastern Caribbean dollars. Shopify Payments is not available to Antiguan businesses, so stores use PayPal, local bank card acquiring or a regional Caribbean gateway that supports merchants in the Eastern Caribbean.
ABST, customs and business licences
Antigua and Barbuda charges the Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST) on most goods and services, and registered businesses must collect and file it. Imported stock pays customs duties. Businesses need the right licences and registration, and stores should show clear prices, delivery terms and returns policies.
Local delivery and Miami freight
On Antigua, local delivery and pickup from your shop are quick and practical, while Barbuda deliveries rely on ferry or small plane connections. International shipping uses DHL, FedEx and the national postal service. Many residents shop from US stores through Miami freight forwarders, which shapes delivery expectations and pricing.
Visitors, cruise days and seasons
English is the official language, so one storefront serves most customers. Demand peaks during the winter tourist season, Sailing Week and Carnival in summer. Cruise passengers only have a few hours ashore, so pre-ordering online for pickup at the port or the shop can turn a short visit into a sale.
Payments, delivery and compliance in Antigua and Barbuda
- Visa & Mastercard
- PayPal
- Local bank card gateway
- Bank transfer
- Cash on pickup
- Local delivery & shop pickup
- DHL Express
- FedEx
- Antigua and Barbuda postal service
- Freight forwarders via Miami
- ABST (sales tax) registration
- Customs duties on imports
- Business licences
- Clear delivery and returns terms
Industries we help in Antigua and Barbuda
Working together
Antigua is 9.5 hours behind India, so working hours barely overlap. We hold calls in your early morning, which is our evening, and do most of the work while you sleep, so updates are waiting when your day starts.
Time zone: AST (UTC−4, no daylight saving). Currency: XCD (EC$). Languages: English, Antiguan Creole.
How we work
Discovery call
We learn your goals, catalogue, tech stack and market, then agree what success looks like.
Audit & roadmap
A store, SEO and competitor audit turns into a prioritised roadmap with a timeline and fixed quote.
Design & build
UX, design and development in sprints, with a private preview store you review at every step.
Launch
QA across devices, redirects, tracking and a planned go-live with no downtime.
Grow
SEO, CRO and paid campaigns compound results month after month, with clear reporting.
Ongoing support
A dedicated team for fixes, new features and seasonal campaigns when you need them.
Frequently asked questions
Which payment options can an Antiguan Shopify store use?
PayPal works well for visitors and overseas customers, and local banks and regional gateways offer card acquiring for Eastern Caribbean businesses. We confirm which providers integrate with Shopify and accept your business, then set up checkout so prices can show in EC dollars or US dollars.
Can cruise passengers order before they arrive?
Yes. We set up pickup options for your shop or a meeting point near the port, with time slots that match cruise schedules. Passengers browse and pay online before their ship docks, then collect their order quickly during their time ashore.
Can we ship rum and hot sauce to visitors at home?
Hot sauces and dry goods can usually be shipped with suitable packaging. Rum faces strict alcohol shipping rules in most countries, so we limit it to destinations and couriers that allow it, or suggest working with an importer for regular overseas sales.
How do you handle the large time difference?
Antigua is 9.5 hours behind India. We schedule calls in your early morning, which is our evening, and do most of the work during your night. Updates and staging links are waiting when you start your day, and urgent launch plans are agreed in advance.
Can we deliver to Barbuda?
Yes. We create a separate shipping zone for Barbuda, with rates and delivery days that reflect ferry or flight connections. Customers see realistic delivery times at checkout, and larger items can be held for collection when transport is limited.