Shopify agency for Vanuatu producers and brands
Shopify stores for Vanuatu’s kava, Tanna coffee, coconut oil and craft producers, reaching visitors, Pacific neighbours and buyers further afield.
Shopify experts for Vanuatu brands
Vanuatu is an archipelago of more than 80 islands, and its domestic market is small. Its products, however, have loyal buyers abroad. Kava is the country’s best-known export, Tanna coffee is grown in volcanic soil, and virgin coconut oil, tamanu oil and sandalwood products feed natural skincare brands. Cruise ships and visitors to Port Vila, Espiritu Santo and Mount Yasur discover these products and often look for them online once home.
BOOST STAR Experts helps Vanuatu producers and small brands build Shopify stores aimed at visitors, customers in Australia and New Zealand and buyers worldwide. Shopify Payments is not available, so we plan checkout around gateways your business can actually use. We also set up export-aware shipping, product pages that explain origin and quality and campaigns that keep past visitors buying throughout the year.
Selling online in Vanuatu: what your store needs
Payments for an island business
Cash and bank transfers dominate local trade, though cards are accepted at many tourist businesses. Online, international gateways may not onboard a Vanuatu business directly, so options include a regional provider, a partner abroad or an overseas entity. Bank transfer works well for wholesale buyers. We review the choices with you before building checkout.
Kava rules and export paperwork
Vanuatu’s Kava Act limits exports to noble kava varieties, and destination rules differ widely: some markets allow commercial imports, while others restrict them or limit quantities. Coffee, coconut oil and other natural products need phytosanitary or quality documents for many countries. Stores should only offer shipping where your paperwork is accepted.
Air freight, ships and Port Vila
International parcels leave by air from Port Vila, with Vanuatu Post and courier services such as DHL Express available. Larger shipments go by sea. Products made on outer islands often reach Port Vila or Luganville by inter-island ships, so stock levels should reflect real supply times, and many brands hold export stock with a partner in Australia.
Visitors, Pacific neighbours and stories
Many customers first meet a Vanuatu brand on holiday, so in-store QR codes and email capture matter. Australia and New Zealand are the closest large markets, and French-speaking buyers in New Caledonia and France are another audience. Buyers value origin stories, island names and producer profiles, presented in English and French.
Payments, delivery and compliance in Vanuatu
- Card payments via an accessible gateway
- Bank transfer
- PayPal (where your business can use it)
- Cash or card at pickup in Port Vila
- Vanuatu Post
- DHL Express
- Air freight from Port Vila
- Sea freight
- Partner fulfilment in Australia
- Kava Act (noble varieties only for export)
- Phytosanitary & export documents
- Destination-country import rules (kava, food, oils)
Industries we help in Vanuatu
Working together
Vanuatu is 5.5 hours ahead of India. When our team starts work it is early afternoon in Port Vila, so calls fit your afternoon, and anything you raise late in the day is picked up while you sleep.
Time zone: VUT (UTC+11, no daylight saving). Currency: VUV (VT). Languages: Bislama, 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
Can we sell kava online to other countries?
Only where the destination allows it. Some countries permit commercial kava imports, others restrict or ban them, and rules change. We set up shipping zones only for permitted markets, add the required product information and work with your export documents, but you should confirm current rules with your exporter or authorities.
How can a Vanuatu business accept card payments online?
Shopify Payments is not available, and some international gateways do not onboard Vanuatu businesses. We check regional providers, partner arrangements and overseas entity options, then set up the one that suits you, with bank transfer available for wholesale and repeat buyers.
Can visitors reorder Tanna coffee or coconut oil after their trip?
Yes. We set up international shipping to the countries your visitors come from, add QR codes and cards in your shop or café and send follow-up emails. Holding stock with a partner in Australia can make delivery faster and cheaper for repeat customers there.
Should our store be in English or French?
English reaches Australia, New Zealand and most international buyers, while French connects with New Caledonia, France and French-speaking visitors. Shopify supports both on one store, and Bislama can be used for local customers, packaging notes and brand personality wherever it fits naturally.
How do you work with clients in Vanuatu?
Our team is in India, 5.5 hours behind Vanuatu, so we meet in your afternoon. Tasks and decisions are kept on a shared board, updates are written and brief, and we use short calls or voice notes when internet connections are unreliable.