Shopify agency for Lebanese brands
Shopify stores for Lebanese designers, food producers and artisans, built around how people actually pay in Lebanon and how the diaspora buys from abroad.
Shopify experts for Lebanon brands
Lebanon’s eCommerce landscape has been shaped by the banking crisis that began in 2019. Many everyday transactions moved to US dollar cash, locally issued cards became less reliable for online payments, and cash on delivery became the default for domestic orders. Yet Lebanese brands remain creative and resilient, and demand for Lebanese fashion, jewellery, food and crafts is strong among a large diaspora in the Gulf, Europe, the Americas and Australia.
BOOST STAR Experts helps Lebanese businesses build Shopify stores that work within these realities. We set up cash on delivery and local delivery for Lebanese customers, pricing in US dollars where that is what shoppers expect and payment options for buyers abroad, often through a company or payment account outside Lebanon. We then focus on SEO and social campaigns aimed at the diaspora and international customers.
Selling online in Lebanon: what your store needs
Cash on delivery and fresh dollars
Most domestic online orders are paid in cash on delivery, usually in US dollars. Cards funded with “fresh dollars” work for some shoppers, and local payment processors such as Areeba serve merchants. Shopify Payments is not an option for Lebanese companies, so international card payments usually run through a third-party gateway or a business entity registered abroad.
VAT, e-transactions law and records
Lebanon applies VAT at 11% for registered businesses. Law No. 81 of 2018 on electronic transactions and personal data covers online contracts and the handling of customer information. Because exchange rates have shifted sharply, stores should state clearly which currency prices are in and keep careful records for accounting.
Local delivery and shipping abroad
Local courier companies and delivery apps handle orders across Beirut and the rest of the country, often collecting cash at the door. Aramex, DHL and Liban Post handle shipments abroad. Export orders to the Gulf and Europe are common for food, jewellery and fashion, and duties at the destination should be explained upfront.
Trilingual shoppers and the diaspora
Lebanese customers move easily between Arabic, French and English, and many brands use English or French as their main store language with Arabic for key content. The diaspora is large and loyal, buying gifts for family, Lebanese food and products from designers they follow on Instagram.
Payments, delivery and compliance in Lebanon
- Cash on delivery (USD)
- Fresh-dollar cards
- Areeba (local processor)
- International cards via foreign gateway
- PayPal (via foreign entity)
- Local courier companies
- Aramex
- DHL Express
- Liban Post
- VAT (11%)
- Electronic transactions & data law (Law 81/2018)
- Clear currency on all prices
- Destination customs for exports
Shopify agency services across Lebanon
Working together
Lebanon is 3.5 hours behind India in winter and 2.5 hours behind in summer. That leaves a long shared window: we can meet in your morning or early afternoon, and you receive our daily update before your working day ends.
Time zone: EET / EEST (UTC+2, UTC+3 in summer). Currency: LBP (ل.ل), with USD widely used. Languages: Arabic, French, 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 can a Lebanese brand accept card payments on Shopify?
Options are limited by the banking situation. Some brands use a local processor where available, while many export-focused brands accept international cards through a company or payment account registered abroad. We help you understand the options and set up whichever route fits your business structure.
Should our prices be in dollars or lira?
Most Lebanese online shoppers now expect prices in US dollars, and many stores price only in dollars. If you show lira, the exchange rate and its date must be clear. For international customers, Shopify Markets can show local currencies such as euros or dirhams.
Can we sell to Lebanese customers in the Gulf and Europe?
Yes. Many Lebanese brands find their strongest demand among the diaspora. We set up shipping with Aramex or DHL, show duties and delivery times clearly and run targeted campaigns in the countries where your customers live, often in English or French.
How do our working hours overlap?
Lebanon is 2.5 to 3.5 hours behind India, so most of your working day overlaps with ours. We can meet in your morning or early afternoon and share progress on a project board. Plans can also be adjusted if power cuts or connectivity problems affect your team.
Can you build stores in Arabic, French and English?
Yes. We set up multi-language storefronts with Shopify Markets, with right-to-left layouts for Arabic. Most brands choose one main language and add others for key pages, which keeps content manageable while still reaching all their customers. Search terms are researched separately for each language.