Updated 28 September 2026

Selling to Saudi Arabia and the UAE from Shopify: the 2026 checklist

Many Western brands already ship to the Gulf, yet their store still looks exactly like the US or UK version: English only, prices that don't match local expectations, and none of the payment options Gulf shoppers use every day. This checklist covers what to fix, in the order that matters most.

1. An Arabic version, written for the Gulf

English is widely understood in the UAE, but Arabic is the first language of most Saudi shoppers and many Emiratis, and a store in their language simply feels more trustworthy at checkout.

• Use Modern Standard Arabic for store text, with word choices that sound natural to Gulf shoppers. Avoid dialect in navigation and checkout.
• Adapt, don't translate word for word. Machine translation turns "Treat yourself" into عالج نفسك, which reads as "give yourself medical treatment". A Gulf brand would write دلّل نفسك ("pamper yourself").
• Keep brand names in Latin letters and write the Arabic around them. That's what Gulf shoppers expect from international brands.
• Localise details: metric sizes (cm, ml), and cultural references such as the weekend (see section 4).

2. Right-to-left layout that actually works

Arabic reads right to left, so the whole layout should mirror: menus, product galleries, arrows, breadcrumbs and forms. Shopify's languages feature and most modern themes support this, but apps, custom sections and icons often break.

• Test the Arabic store on a phone, where most Gulf shopping happens.
• Check that "next" arrows and sliders point the right way.
• Check third-party apps (reviews, upsells, size guides): they're the most common source of English text and broken layouts.

3. A dedicated UAE or Saudi market

With Shopify Markets you can give each country its own prices, domain or subfolder (for example /en-ae and /ar-ae), and shipping rules. It's also what lets search engines show the right version to Gulf shoppers.

4. Local prices, VAT included

Gulf shoppers expect to see prices in their own currency, with VAT already included.

Because both currencies are pegged to the dollar, prices stay stable, so round them the way local stores do (for example 135 SAR rather than 134.63). Use Western digits (0–9) for prices; that's the norm in Saudi and UAE online stores.

VAT registration and collection rules for foreign sellers depend on your volumes and set-up. Confirm your obligations with a tax adviser before you launch.

5. Tabby or Tamara

Buy now, pay later is part of everyday online shopping in the Gulf, and the two regional leaders are Tabby and Tamara. Both split payments into instalments at no cost to the shopper and integrate with Shopify.

• Tabby covers the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait; Tamara covers the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain.
• Show the instalment option on product pages, not only at checkout. That's where it influences the decision.
• In Saudi Arabia, also make sure local debit cards on the mada network are accepted.

6. Cash on delivery (consider it)

Cash on delivery is still widely used in the Gulf, especially for first orders from an unfamiliar brand. It raises conversion but comes with return and collection costs, so many brands offer it with a small fee or a minimum order value. Whatever you decide, say it clearly on product and shipping pages.

7. Shipping and returns that mention the Gulf

• State delivery times and costs for the UAE and Saudi Arabia on your shipping page. A policy that never mentions the region makes shoppers doubt you deliver at all.
• Say who pays duties. Shoppers are far more willing to buy when duties are included (DDP) and there's no surprise at the door.
• Offer local-language customer support, at least by email, and answer within the Gulf working week.

8. The Gulf sales calendar

Ramadan and Eid dates follow the lunar calendar and are confirmed by moon sighting, so they can shift by a day or two.