How do I set my store currency and change it safely?

Your store currency is the currency used to price your products, display totals to customers, and generate reports in Shopify. You can choose your currency when setting up your store, and it can be changed later if needed. However, changing your store currency requires careful consideration to avoid legal, tax, and operational issues.

Step 1: Set your store currency during setup
When you first create your Shopify store, you select your business location and store currency. Choose the currency that matches your main market or where most customers will pay. This ensures prices, taxes, and payment methods work correctly from the start.

Step 2: Understand the impact before changing currency
Before changing your store currency later, review the following impacts:

• Product prices and discount amounts will change to the new currency, but the numeric value remains the same. For example, $20 USD becomes $20 CAD.
• Shipping rates will not update automatically; you will need to adjust them manually.
• Gift cards issued in the old currency will no longer work.
• Apps with currency requirements may stop working.
• Reports and pending orders may be affected due to currency differences.
• If using a third-party payment provider or PayPal Express, check that the new currency is supported.

Step 3: Prepare your store before changing currency
– Complete any pending payments. – Export your products and discounts to CSV for backup. – Check all installed apps for compatibility with the new currency. – Confirm that your payment provider supports the new currency or deactivate it before switching.

Step 4: Change your store currency safely
From your Shopify admin:

1. Go to Settings > General.
2. Scroll to the Store defaults section.
3. Under Currency display, click the “…” and select Change store currency.
4. Select your new currency from the list and click Save.

Step 5: Update store settings after changing currency
After changing your currency:

• Review and update product prices to maintain your desired profit margins.
• Adjust discount codes to align with the new currency.
• Delete existing shipping rates and re-enter them manually.
• Issue new gift cards to replace any old balances.
• If not using Shopify Payments, update your markets to reflect the new currency.

By following these steps, you can change your store currency safely while minimizing issues with pricing, payments, and customer experience. Always consider legal and tax implications before making the switch to ensure compliance in your country.