Shopify agency for brands in Seychelles
Shopify stores for Seychellois producers, resort boutiques and island brands, selling to residents, visitors and customers who want a taste of the islands at home.
Shopify experts for Seychelles brands
Seychelles has fewer than 130,000 residents, but tourism brings a steady flow of visitors with high spending power to Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Local products such as Takamaka rum, SeyBrew, locally grown tea, vanilla and cinnamon, and artwork and crafts inspired by the islands sell well to visitors. The domestic online market is small, so stores usually combine local orders with sales to past visitors and international buyers.
BOOST STAR Experts helps Seychellois businesses build Shopify stores that work for this mix. We set up English and French storefronts, card payments for local and international buyers, delivery across the islands and international shipping, then support email marketing and campaigns aimed at people who visited Seychelles and want to bring part of the experience home.
Selling online in Seychelles: what your store needs
Cards and local bank acquiring
Visa and Mastercard are widely used, both by residents and by visitors, and online card acquiring is offered by banks operating in Seychelles. Bank transfers are common for local orders. Shopify Payments does not serve Seychelles, so stores connect a bank gateway or a third-party provider that accepts Seychellois businesses.
VAT, customs and protected products
Seychelles applies VAT at 15%, administered by the Seychelles Revenue Commission, and imported stock pays customs duties. Some island products are protected: the coco de mer nut, for example, can only be exported with an official permit. Stores must check permits before listing items like these for international buyers.
Inter-island and international shipping
Most deliveries happen on Mahé, while Praslin and La Digue are reached by inter-island ferry or short flights. Seychelles Postal Services handles mail, and express couriers such as DHL ship abroad, mainly by air. Because international shipping is costly, many stores offer it for light, high-value items rather than bulky goods.
Visitors from Europe and the Gulf
Many visitors come from Europe, the Gulf and other parts of the world, and English and French cover most of them. Seychellois Creole is used day to day and adds local character to branding. Visitors who enjoyed a product at their resort are an important audience for online reorders.
Payments, delivery and compliance in Seychelles
- Visa & Mastercard
- Bank card gateway
- Bank transfer
- PayPal (where supported)
- Cash on delivery (Mahé)
- Seychelles Postal Services
- DHL Express
- Inter-island ferry delivery
- Local couriers on Mahé
- VAT (15%) via Seychelles Revenue Commission
- Customs duties on imports
- Export permits for protected products
- Clear delivery and returns terms
Working together
Seychelles is 1.5 hours behind India, so our working days overlap almost completely. We can meet at nearly any time during your day, and small requests are often handled within hours.
Time zone: SCT (UTC+4, no daylight saving). Currency: SCR (Seychellois rupee). Languages: Seychellois Creole, English, French.
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 a Seychelles store use?
Local bank card gateways are the most common route, often connected to Shopify through an app or a provider that integrates with it. Bank transfers work well for local customers. We review what your bank and business structure support before building checkout, so payments are reliable from launch.
Can we ship rum and tea to visitors abroad?
Tea and spices are generally easier to ship, while rum faces strict alcohol shipping rules and courier restrictions. We set product restrictions and shipping zones accordingly, and for regular alcohol sales recommend working with an importer or distributor in your main markets.
Can a resort boutique sell online?
Yes. We set up a store that guests can use during their stay for in-room or reception collection, and after they leave for international orders. QR codes in rooms and boutiques link to the store, and email flows keep in touch with guests after their holiday.
How closely do our working hours match?
Very closely. Seychelles is 1.5 hours behind India, so our working days almost completely overlap. We can meet whenever suits you, answer questions quickly and plan launches together, with progress always visible on a shared project board that your whole team can check.
Can you deliver to customers on Praslin and La Digue?
Yes. We create shipping zones for each island, with rates and delivery days that reflect ferry schedules. Customers on Praslin and La Digue see realistic delivery times at checkout, and you can offer collection points on Mahé for larger items.