Shopify Payment Gateways in the UAE (2026): Cards, Tabby, Tamara and Apple Pay
Shopify Payments isn't available in the UAE, so what are the alternatives? A guide to payment gateways, Tabby, Tamara, Apple Pay, cash on delivery and fees for UAE Shopify stores.
Short answer: Shopify Payments is not available to UAE-registered merchants at the time of writing. You need a third-party gateway for cards and Apple Pay, Tabby and Tamara for instalments, and cash on delivery if it suits your product. Shopify charges a transaction fee on orders paid through an external gateway, based on your plan (about 2% on Basic, 1% on Grow and 0.6% on Advanced).
What UAE shoppers expect at checkout
UAE customers are used to fast, flexible ways to pay:
- Cards (Visa and Mastercard).
- Apple Pay and Google Pay, the fastest options on mobile.
- Buy now, pay later with Tabby and Tamara.
- Cash on delivery in some categories and for newer stores.
Every missing option means a share of shoppers abandon the cart.
1. A gateway for cards and Apple Pay
With Shopify Payments unavailable, you choose an external gateway that supports Shopify and operates in the UAE. Well-known names in the market include Tap Payments, Telr, PayTabs and Network International, among others.
How to choose between them:
| Factor | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Fees | What's the percentage per transaction? Is there a fixed fee? What about international cards? |
| Apple Pay | Is it supported directly inside Shopify checkout? |
| Payouts | How many days until funds arrive, and in which currency? |
| Licence | Do they accept your licence type (e.g. e-Trader)? |
| Checkout experience | Does payment happen inside checkout, or redirect to an external page? |
| Support | Is there local support in Arabic? |
The current list of gateways available to your store is in Shopify admin under Settings → Payments. Confirm current fees with each provider directly.
Tip: a gateway that keeps the shopper inside Shopify's checkout gives a smoother experience and more trust than one that redirects them to another site.
2. Tabby and Tamara: instalments that lift order value
Buy-now-pay-later is very popular in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, especially in fashion, perfume and electronics. Shoppers split the amount into interest-free payments, and you're paid by the provider.
How to connect them:
- Apply for a merchant account with Tabby, Tamara or both, and wait for approval.
- Install each provider's official Shopify integration.
- Show the instalment message on the product page itself (for example "split into 4 payments"), not just at checkout. That's what influences the buying decision.
Tabby and Tamara fees and approval terms are set by each provider and are usually higher than card fees. Factor them into your margins.
3. Cash on delivery (COD)
Shopify lets you add cash on delivery as a manual payment method. It helps new stores that haven't built trust yet, but it has costs:
- Refused deliveries, where you pay shipping both ways.
- Collection fees from the courier.
- Slower access to your money.
Tip: enable it with WhatsApp order confirmation before shipping, and consider a small COD fee or a minimum order value.
4. The real cost per order
Example: a AED 300 order on the Basic plan through a gateway charging 2.75%:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Gateway fee (2.75%) | AED 8.25 |
| Shopify transaction fee (2%) | AED 6.00 |
| Total | AED 14.25 (4.75%) |
On Grow, Shopify's fee drops to 1%, bringing the total to about 3.75%. Upgrading usually pays off once monthly sales pass roughly AED 18,000. Details in Shopify store cost in the UAE.
Ordering payment methods at checkout
- Apple Pay (for mobile)
- Card
- Tabby and Tamara
- Cash on delivery (if enabled)
Test a real order with every method before launch, in both Arabic and English.
FAQ
Is Shopify Payments available in the UAE?
No, not at the time of writing. Shopify hasn't announced a date for the UAE, so you need a third-party gateway.
Can I enable Apple Pay on a Shopify store in the UAE?
Yes, through a gateway that supports Apple Pay with Shopify. Confirm with the gateway that Apple Pay appears directly inside checkout.
Can I use Tabby and Tamara with Shopify?
Yes. Both offer Shopify integrations, and you need an approved merchant account with each.
Why does Shopify charge a transaction fee when I already pay a subscription?
Because you're using an external gateway instead of Shopify Payments. The rate depends on your plan and drops as you upgrade.
Who sets up payments in my store?
At ShopiBuild we connect your gateway, Tabby, Tamara and Apple Pay, and test checkout before launch, in every package.