Shopify agency for brands in the Bahamas
Shopify stores for Bahamian brands selling to residents across the islands and to the millions of visitors who want to keep buying after their trip.
Shopify experts for Bahamas brands
The Bahamas is a small market of about 400,000 people spread across many islands, but tourism brings millions of visitors each year, many through Nassau’s cruise port. Residents are used to shopping online from the US through Florida mailbox and freight forwarding services, paying import duties on arrival. Local brands compete by selling what cannot be bought elsewhere: Androsia batik, straw work, rum, sea salt, hot sauces, resortwear and art inspired by Junkanoo.
BOOST STAR Experts builds Shopify stores for Bahamian brands, with two audiences in mind. For residents we set up card payments, VAT and delivery across New Providence and the Family Islands. For visitors, we build stores that ship to the US, Canada and Europe, so a purchase made on holiday becomes a repeat customer. Then we work on SEO, social and email campaigns timed around the tourist seasons.
Selling online in the Bahamas: what your store needs
Cards, US dollars and digital wallets
Credit and debit cards are the norm, and US dollars circulate alongside Bahamian dollars at par, so prices are easy for American visitors. The Sand Dollar, the central bank’s digital currency, is available through approved wallets. Shopify Payments is not offered to businesses registered in the Bahamas, so stores use a gateway supported by a local bank.
VAT, customs and privacy
VAT is charged at 10% on most goods and services by registered businesses. Imported stock attracts customs duties, which affects pricing and makes local manufacturing valuable. The Data Protection (Privacy of Personal Information) Act governs how customer data is handled, and stores need clear terms, privacy policies and return conditions.
Island logistics and forwarders
Delivery on New Providence is straightforward, but Family Island orders travel by mailboat or air cargo and take longer. DHL Express, FedEx and UPS serve international shipments, and Florida-based forwarders handle much inbound freight. Showing island-specific delivery times and rates avoids confusion, and exporters should state duties for overseas buyers clearly.
Visitors, seasons and storytelling
Tourist numbers peak in winter and spring, when North Americans escape the cold, and cruise passengers have only hours on shore. Many discover a brand at a market or hotel shop and look for it online later. Product stories, island imagery and easy international checkout turn that holiday memory into an order.
Payments, delivery and compliance in the Bahamas
- Visa, Mastercard & Amex
- Local bank card gateway
- Sand Dollar wallets
- PayPal
- Apple Pay (where supported)
- Local delivery on New Providence
- Mailboat & air cargo to Family Islands
- DHL Express
- FedEx
- UPS
- Florida freight forwarders
- VAT (10%)
- Customs duties on imports
- Data Protection (Privacy of Personal Information) Act
- Business licence
Shopify agency services across the Bahamas
Working together
The Bahamas is 10.5 hours behind India in winter and 9.5 hours in summer, so overlap is short. We hold calls early in your morning, our evening, and finish each of our days with a written update you read over breakfast.
Time zone: EST / EDT (UTC−5, UTC−4 in summer). Currency: BSD (B$), at par with the US dollar. Languages: English.
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
How do Bahamian businesses accept card payments on Shopify?
Shopify Payments is not available in the Bahamas, so we connect a payment gateway supported by your bank or a provider that serves Caribbean merchants. We test local and international cards, set up refunds and check that payouts reach your Bahamian account. PayPal can be added for visitors who prefer it.
Can we ship to customers in the US and Canada?
Yes. We set up international shipping rates through DHL, FedEx or UPS, show duties information and list products in US dollars. Items such as rum need extra care because of alcohol shipping rules, so we check what each carrier and destination allows before going live.
Can you set delivery rates for the Family Islands?
Yes. We create zones for New Providence, Grand Bahama and the Family Islands, each with its own rates and delivery times based on mailboat or air cargo schedules. Customers see realistic timelines at checkout, which reduces support questions after ordering.
How do you manage the time difference?
With 9.5 to 10.5 hours between us, we plan carefully. Calls happen early in your morning, our evening, and each day ends with a written update. Changes you request during your day are usually ready for review the next morning.
How can we reach visitors after they leave the islands?
We add QR codes and email sign-up in your shop, market stall or hotel boutique, then run email and social campaigns ahead of the next travel season. Visitors who already know your products are often the easiest customers to win back online.