Shopify support for Solomon Islands brands
Practical Shopify set-ups for Solomon Islands carvers, craft makers and producers, reaching visitors, Pacific neighbours and buyers in Australia and beyond.
Shopify experts for Solomon Islands brands
Solomon Islands is a Pacific nation of hundreds of islands, with most commercial activity centred on Honiara. Online shopping inside the country is limited: cash is common, card use is growing slowly and many communities are reached only by boat. Local crafts carry real cultural value, from ebony and kerosene-wood carvings to traditional shell money made in Langalanga Lagoon, alongside virgin coconut oil, cocoa and handwoven baskets.
BOOST STAR Experts helps Solomon Islands businesses plan Shopify stores that suit their situation. For most, the best audience is abroad: visitors, divers and WWII history travellers, Pacific neighbours and buyers in Australia and New Zealand. We plan payments through banks or partners that can accept international cards, shipping around export rules and freight routes, and keep set-ups simple and affordable.
Selling online in Solomon Islands: what your store needs
Cash, bank cards and international buyers
Cash remains the main way to pay inside Solomon Islands, with bank cards and mobile banking used mainly in Honiara. Accepting international card payments online usually needs a local bank’s merchant service, PayPal where it is available to your business, or a partner abroad. We confirm what is possible before planning the store.
Export rules for crafts and natural products
Some craft materials need export permits, and shells, corals and certain timbers may fall under CITES rules that limit trade. Food and cosmetic products such as coconut oil need labelling that meets destination rules. Businesses should also register for tax with the national revenue authorities and keep proper records.
Island freight and overseas shipping
Goods move between provinces by inter-island ships and small planes, so collecting stock in Honiara before shipping abroad is common. Solomon Post handles international mail, and express couriers such as DHL serve Honiara. Most international freight connects through Brisbane, which makes Australia the fastest export destination.
Visitors, diving and cultural stories
English is the official language, and Solomon Islands Pijin is widely spoken. Visitors include divers exploring WWII wrecks around Iron Bottom Sound, surfers and travellers visiting Marovo Lagoon. Buyers abroad want to know who made each piece, where materials come from and what designs mean, so stories matter as much as photos.
Payments, delivery and compliance in Solomon Islands
- Cash (local)
- Bank cards
- Bank merchant card gateway
- PayPal (where available)
- Bank transfer
- Solomon Post
- DHL Express
- Air freight via Brisbane
- Inter-island shipping
- Tax registration
- Export permits for crafts
- CITES rules for shells, coral and timber
- Destination labelling rules
Industries we help in Solomon Islands
Working together
Solomon Islands is 5.5 hours ahead of India. Our morning falls in your afternoon, so we hold calls then, and work we finish later in our day is waiting for you the following morning in Honiara.
Time zone: SBT (UTC+11, no daylight saving). Currency: SBD (SI$). Languages: English, Solomon Islands Pijin.
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
Can a Solomon Islands business accept card payments online?
Sometimes, depending on your bank and business structure. Some local banks offer merchant services, and PayPal may be available to your business. Others work with a partner abroad. We help you check the options before building, so the store launches with payments that actually work.
Can we ship wood carvings overseas?
Yes, in many cases. Wood products may need fumigation or treatment certificates for countries such as Australia and New Zealand, which have strict biosecurity rules. We set shipping zones and product notes to match, and recommend checking requirements with customs before your first export.
Who should our store target?
Most Solomon Islands craft and food brands find their best customers in Australia, New Zealand and among people who have visited the islands. We set up English content, prices in Australian dollars and other currencies and campaigns aimed at travellers, divers and buyers of Pacific crafts.
How does the time difference work?
Honiara is 5.5 hours ahead of India. We meet in your afternoon, which is our morning, and continue working after your day ends. Updates are sent in writing so you can read them even with a slow connection, and launch dates are agreed in advance.
Can we sell shell money and shell jewellery?
Traditional shell items have great cultural value, but some shells are protected and export may need permits. We list products only once you have confirmed they can be exported, and write descriptions that explain their meaning and how they are made, respecting their cultural importance.