Setting Up International Card Payments on Shopify India: A Step-by-Step Razorpay Integration Guide (2026)

Your product just went viral in a US design forum. A customer in Austin adds three items to cart, reaches checkout, and sees prices in rupees only. She tries her Visa anyway, and the payment declines. She leaves. That sale, and every international sale behind it, is gone because your Shopify store is not set up to accept foreign cards.

Or maybe you installed Razorpay, connected it, and watched UPI and domestic cards light up. But the international card option is nowhere at checkout. Your customers abroad still cannot pay you.

So here is the money question: how do I turn on international card payments in Razorpay so my Shopify customers abroad can actually pay me? You do not need a developer, you do not need a separate merchant account, and the entire activation happens inside your dashboard. We handle the RBI-compliance layer on your behalf. This guide walks you through every screen, toggle, and document, in order.

Does Razorpay Support International Card Payments on Shopify India?

Yes, Razorpay supports international card payments on Shopify India through its International Payment Gateway for exports. It accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Amex cards across 130+ currencies. However, the feature is not active by default and requires a separate activation request inside your Razorpay dashboard along with compliance documents.

This is a solved, standard flow used by thousands of Indian exporters every day. Once you understand that installation and international activation are two distinct steps, the whole process becomes straightforward. Our international stack supports Visa, Mastercard, and Amex across 130+ currencies. For a broader primer, our guide to international payments covers the foundations.

The Two Razorpay International Flows – Which One Do You Need?

Before you touch a setting, know which of our two international products you are enabling. Confusing them is the most common reason merchants configure the wrong thing.

• Export flow: You are an Indian business. Your customer is abroad. They pay you in USD, EUR, GBP, or another foreign currency via their card. This is the flow this guide covers. The applicable Razorpay rate is 3% per transaction.
• Import flow: A foreign business wants to accept payments from Indian customers via UPI or Indian cards. The applicable rate is 3.5% including forex conversion.

Attribute	Export Flow	Import Flow
Who uses it	Indian business selling abroad	Foreign business selling into India
Customer location	Outside India	Inside India
Applicable rate	3% per transaction	3.5% including forex
Settlement currency	INR to Indian bank	Foreign currency to HQ
Documents required	KYC, policy pages, IEC (physical goods only)	Foreign entity compliance

Pro tip: If you are an Indian D2C brand shipping products or delivering services to customers in the US, UK, or UAE, you need the Export flow. Every step in this guide assumes it.

Which International Card Networks Does Razorpay Accept?

• Visa
• Mastercard
• American Express
• 130+ supported currencies via Razorpay’s international payments stack

What Do You Need Before You Start? The Pre-Setup Checklist

To activate international card payments on Razorpay for Shopify India, you need a verified Razorpay business account (KYC complete), an active Shopify store with published policy pages, and compliance documents. For physical goods exporters, an IEC from DGFT is mandatory. For service or digital product exporters, a business model description and website compliance links are sufficient.

Getting these ready in advance separates a two-day approval from a two-week back-and-forth.

Razorpay Account Requirements

1. Razorpay business account, created at razorpay.com
2. Completed KYC: PAN card, GSTIN certificate, verified current bank account, and business registration certificate
3. Account status must show “Active”, not “Under Review” or “Suspended”
4. Live API keys generated from Settings – API Keys in the Razorpay dashboard

Does Your Shopify Store Need Specific Pages Before Razorpay Approves International?

Yes. During the international payments activation review, Razorpay’s compliance team checks your Shopify store for:

• An active Shipping and Delivery Policy page, including international shipping terms
• A Refunds and Cancellations Policy page with a stated timeline
• A Contact Us page with a working email or phone number
• A Terms of Service page

Stores missing these pages experience rejection or delays of 3 to 5 business days. Publish all four and make them visible in your footer before you apply.

Do You Need an IEC Code? The Physical Goods vs Services Distinction

• Physical goods exporters: Yes. An IEC issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade is mandatory before Razorpay can process your international payments. Apply at the DGFT online portal.
• Digital product sellers (ebooks, software, courses): Generally not required. Submit a business model description instead.
• Service exporters (agencies, consultants, SaaS): An IEC is not required to receive foreign payment, but you need it to claim benefits under India’s Foreign Trade Policy.

Pro tip: Apply for your IEC before requesting activation. Processing via DGFT takes 2 to 3 working days. Requesting activation without an IEC when you sell physical goods results in rejection and a re-submission cycle that can delay go-live by a week.

Shopify Store Requirements

• An active Shopify plan (Basic or above)
• Admin access with Payments settings permission
• A store base currency decision made in advance (see the multi-currency section below)

Step 1 – How to Enable International Payments in Razorpay for Shopify

To enable international payments in Razorpay, log in to your dashboard, go to Account and Settings, find the International Payments section under Payment Methods, and click Request Activation. Submit your business model description, website compliance links, and IEC if applicable. Approval typically takes 2 to 3 business days.

Navigating to the International Payments Activation Screen

1. Log in to your Razorpay Dashboard at dashboard.razorpay.com
2. In the left sidebar, click “Account and Settings”
3. Under “Payment Methods”, locate “International Payments”
4. Click “Request Activation”. A toggle means your account has been reviewed; a “Request” button means activation is pending.
5. Complete the activation form with:
6. Your business model description (what you sell, who buys, which countries you ship to)
7. Your website URL
8. Links to your Shipping Policy, Returns Policy, and Contact page
9. IEC document upload (if selling physical goods)
10. Click Submit

Did you know: UPI accounted for 83.4% of all digital transaction volume in India in FY 2024-25, yet cross-border payments still flow predominantly through cards. That gap is why enabling international card support is not optional if you want export revenue.

What Happens After You Submit – Approval Timeline and Status Checks

• Standard approval: 2 to 3 business days
• Documents incomplete: Razorpay contacts you via your registered email, so check spam
• How to check status: Dashboard – Account and Settings – International Payments, showing “Pending”, “Active”, or “Rejected”
• If rejected: The reason is stated. Most common causes are missing policy pages or a missing IEC for physical goods sellers.

Step 2 – The Multi-Currency Decision You Must Make Before Installing the App

Because Shopify Payments is not available in India, Shopify’s native multi-currency checkout is restricted for Indian merchants using third-party gateways. You must choose between keeping your base currency as INR (better for hybrid stores) or switching to USD (better for export-only stores). Make this decision before installing the Razorpay app, because changing base currency after orders exist is complex.

Option A – Keep Base Currency as INR (Recommended for Hybrid Stores)

• Works best when: You sell to both Indian and international customers
• How it works: Install a currency display app. International browsers see prices in USD, EUR, or GBP. At checkout, Shopify reverts the displayed amount to INR, Razorpay processes the international card in INR, and the customer’s issuing bank handles forex conversion.
• Preserves: UPI, domestic cards, and local methods for Indian customers
• Limitation: International buyers see INR at the final checkout step

Option B – Switch Base Currency to USD (Recommended for Export-Only Stores)

• Works best when: Your entire customer base is international
• How it works: Go to Shopify Settings – Store Details and change base currency to USD
• Benefit: International buyers see USD throughout, including checkout, reducing abandonment
• Trade-off: Disables UPI and local Indian payment methods entirely

Attribute	INR Base	USD Base
Best for	Hybrid India + international stores	Export-only stores
UPI available at checkout	Yes	No
International buyer experience	Sees INR at final checkout	Sees USD throughout
Complexity	Low, uses a display app	Moderate, changes base currency
Risk if changed later	High, avoid changing post-orders	High, avoid changing post-orders

What About Shopify Markets for Indian Merchants – Does It Help?

Shopify Markets provides display-level currency switching and price localization, which improves how your store looks to a foreign browser. But native multi-currency checkout, where the customer pays in their local currency, is only available when Shopify Payments is the active gateway. Since Shopify Payments is unavailable in India, your actual checkout currency remains governed by your Razorpay configuration and base currency setting. Use Markets for presentation, but do not expect it to change the currency the payment is captured in. For deeper context, see what is a multi-currency payment gateway.

Step 3 – How to Integrate Razorpay with Shopify India for International Payments

To integrate Razorpay with Shopify India, go to your Shopify Admin – Settings – Payments – Add Payment Methods, search for “Razorpay”, and install the official “All-in-one Razorpay Payment Gateway” app. Enter your live API Key ID and Key Secret from your dashboard, then activate. International cards appear at checkout once your international activation is approved.

Installing the Official Razorpay App on Shopify – Step by Step

1. Log in to your Shopify Admin Dashboard
2. Go to Settings – Payments
3. Scroll to “Supported payment methods” and click “Add payment methods”
4. Type “Razorpay” and select “All-in-one Razorpay Payment Gateway” (developer: Razorpay Software Private Limited)
5. Click Install
6. On the landing page, click “I am an existing user” if you have completed KYC
7. Log in with your Razorpay store owner credentials
8. Click “Activate”
9. The gateway now appears as an active payment method at checkout

Pro tip: The plugin was renamed from “1 Razorpay” to “All-in-one Razorpay Payment Gateway”. If your search returns no results, search “All-in-one Razorpay” directly. Confirm the developer is Razorpay Software Private Limited.

Connecting Your Live API Keys – The Step Most Merchants Get Wrong

1. Open a new tab and go to your Razorpay Dashboard
2. Navigate to Account and Settings – API Keys
3. Click “Generate Key” under “Live Mode”, not Test Mode
4. Copy your Key ID and Key Secret. The Key Secret is shown only once
5. Return to Shopify Admin – Apps – All-in-one Razorpay Payment Gateway
6. Paste the Key ID and Key Secret into their respective fields
7. Save

Critical warning: Using Test Mode keys on a live store makes payments appear successful while no money is captured. The order shows “Pending Payment” and never reconciles. If the dashboard header reads “Test Mode” in orange, you are generating test keys.

Enabling International Cards Specifically Within the App Settings

After installing the app and connecting your keys:

1. In the Razorpay app settings within Shopify, navigate to “Payment Methods”
2. Confirm “Cards” is toggled on
3. In Razorpay Dashboard – Settings – Payment Methods – Cards, confirm “International Cards” is enabled. This toggle only becomes available after activation approval.
4. Save all settings

Step 4 – The Full Fees Breakdown: What International Card Payments on Shopify India Actually Cost You

When accepting international card payments on Shopify India via Razorpay, you pay three layers: Razorpay’s international MDR at 3% per transaction (Export flow), 18% GST on the gateway fee, and a Shopify third-party surcharge of 0.6% to 2% depending on your plan. Account for all three before pricing your products.

The figures below are approximate, based on a USD 100 order. Note that GST at 18% applies only to the gateway service fee, not the full transaction value. Our international cards are priced at 3% plus GST.

Fee Component	Rate	Applied To	Example on USD 100 order
Razorpay International MDR (Export)	3%	Transaction value	Rs. 249 (approx.)
GST on gateway fee	18% of the 3% fee	Gateway fee only	Rs. 45 (approx.)
Shopify surcharge – Basic plan	2%	Transaction value	Rs. 166 (approx.)
Shopify surcharge – Shopify plan	1%	Transaction value	Rs. 83 (approx.)
Shopify surcharge – Advanced plan	0.6%	Transaction value	Rs. 50 (approx.)

For a fuller margin comparison, our cross-border fees explained breakdown is a useful companion read.

How to Minimise the Shopify Third-Party Transaction Fee

• The surcharge applies only to third-party gateways. Since Shopify Payments is unavailable in India, it is unavoidable at Basic and Shopify plan levels.
• The Advanced plan (approximately Rs. 21,000 per month) reduces the surcharge to 0.6%. At sufficient volume, the upgrade can pay for itself.
• Shopify Plus eliminates the surcharge entirely and is worth evaluating once international monthly revenue exceeds Rs. 15 to 20 lakh.

What Is the Settlement Timeline for International Card Payments via Razorpay?

International card payments settle to your Indian bank account on a T+2 to T+7 working day cycle, with T+7 being standard for most international card transactions, longer than domestic transactions. The extended timeline reflects cross-border fund routing and RBI reporting. Razorpay’s Instant Settlements feature is primarily for domestic transactions, so confirm availability for international settlements with support.

Did you know: In H1 2025, UPI represented roughly 85% of India’s digital payment volume but only 9% of total value. The gap is in average transaction size: high-ticket and cross-border purchases concentrate on cards.

Step 5 – How to Test International Card Payments on Shopify India with Razorpay

To test international card payments, enable Test Mode in Shopify payment settings, use Razorpay’s official international test cards (Visa 4239 5360 0631 5640, Mastercard 5421 1393 0609 0628, both with any future expiry and random CVV), complete a full checkout cycle, and verify the order shows “Paid” in both Shopify and the Razorpay dashboard before switching to Live Mode.

Switching to Test Mode and Back – Exact Steps

1. Log in to your Shopify store admin
2. Go to Settings – Payments
3. Under “Supported payment methods”, click “Manage” next to the Razorpay app
4. Toggle “Enable test mode” on and click Save
5. Generate Test Mode API keys from your dashboard (Settings – API Keys – Test Mode)
6. Enter the Test Mode keys in the app settings
7. Complete the test transaction cycle below
8. To go live: toggle test mode off, replace test keys with Live Mode keys, and save

Official International Test Card Numbers for Razorpay

Card Network	Test Card Number	CVV and Expiry
Amex (International)	3779 849088 69514	Any random CVV, any future date in MM/YY
Mastercard (International)	5421 1393 0609 0628	Any random CVV, any future date in MM/YY
Visa (International)	4239 5360 0631 5640	Any random CVV, any future date in MM/YY

Note: These are distinct from domestic test cards. Using a domestic card to test international behaviour gives misleading results. The full list is in Razorpay’s official test card documentation.

The Complete Test Cycle Checklist

• Add a product to your cart and proceed to checkout
• Select “All-in-one Razorpay Payment Gateway”
• Enter your phone number when prompted
• At the Razorpay checkout, select “Card”
• Enter an international test card from the table above
• Complete the transaction
• Verify the order shows “Paid” in Shopify Admin – Orders
• Check Razorpay Dashboard – Transactions – Payments for a payment ID with “Captured” status
• Test a refund from Shopify Admin – Orders – Refund and confirm it processes
• Confirm webhooks are delivering. A webhook failure shows “Pending Payment” even after a successful test

Pro tip: After switching to Live Mode, make one real low-value transaction using an actual international card before your global launch. Test Mode cannot replicate the 3D Secure authentication flows that real banks require. A failed 3D Secure at launch is a common cause of lost first sales. See 3DS 2.0 and what it means for Indian exporters.

Step 6 – What Is a FIRA and How Do You Use It for GST Compliance?

A FIRA (Foreign Inward Remittance Advice) is an RBI-mandated document confirming foreign currency has been received into an Indian bank account. Razorpay generates a FIRA for each settled international transaction. You need it to claim zero-rated GST treatment on export supplies and to satisfy FEMA’s requirement that export proceeds are realised within specified timelines.

How Razorpay Generates and Delivers Your FIRA

• After each international payment settles, Razorpay generates a FIRA automatically
• Access FIRAs from Razorpay Dashboard – Reports – Settlements, filtered by international transactions
• Each FIRA shows the transaction date, foreign currency amount, INR equivalent, UTR number, and remitter details
• Store FIRAs in a dedicated folder per financial year for GST export refund claims. See how our e-FIRA certificate is delivered end to end, and the Razorpay exporters dashboard for managing it all in one place.

The FEMA Realisation Requirement for Export Proceeds

Under FEMA guidelines, export proceeds must be realised within 15 months from the date of export for most categories. For software and service exports, this window may differ, so confirm with your CA. Razorpay’s settlement cycle sits comfortably within this window. The one situation to watch is a payment dispute or chargeback that holds funds; document the dispute status so you have a clear record if an RBI query arises.

How Does Razorpay Make International Card Payments Work on Shopify India?

For Indian Shopify merchants, Razorpay’s International Payment Gateway bridges Shopify’s checkout infrastructure and India’s unique regulatory environment.

Here is what we handle on your behalf once the integration is active:

• RBI-compliant settlement reporting: We file the necessary reports for inward foreign remittances.
• Real-time currency conversion: We convert and settle in INR to your Indian bank account.
• 3D Secure authentication: All transactions go through 3D Secure with smart routing that handles retries to maximise success.
• Chargeback and dispute management: International chargebacks are managed through the dashboard with a structured evidence flow.
• FIRA generation: We generate the Foreign Inward Remittance Advice for every settled transaction automatically.
• Support for 130+ currencies: Our international payments stack supports Visa, Mastercard, and Amex.

When configured correctly, international card success rates reach the 90-95% band. To go deeper, read how to accept international payments with Razorpay.

Did you know: UPI now accounts for nearly 49% of all real-time payment transaction volume globally (Source: ACI Worldwide Prime Time for Real-Time Report, 2025). Yet UPI is not available to customers paying from abroad; they pay with cards. This is why Razorpay’s international card stack is a distinct, separately activated product.

Fixing the 6 Most Common International Card Payment Failures on Shopify India

The six most common causes of international card failure on Shopify India with Razorpay are: using test API keys in live mode, international payments not yet activated, missing or mismatched policy pages causing rejection, webhook failure causing “Pending Payment”, 3D Secure authentication failure at the customer’s bank, and incorrect checkout currency configuration routing the payment as domestic.

Problem 1 – Order Shows “Pending Payment” Even Though the Customer Completed Checkout

• Cause: Webhook delivery failure. Razorpay processed the payment, but Shopify never received the confirmation.
• Fix: In Razorpay Dashboard – Account and Settings – Webhooks, verify the URL matches the app’s expected format. Reinstalling the app resets webhooks automatically and is usually the fastest fix.

Problem 2 – International Card Option Not Visible at Checkout

• Cause: International activation is still Pending or Rejected.
• Fix: Check status in Dashboard – Account and Settings – International Payments. If Rejected, resolve the stated reason (usually a missing policy page or IEC) and resubmit.

Problem 3 – International Card Declined with “Authentication Failed”

• Cause: 3D Secure failure at the customer’s issuing bank, a customer-side issue.
• Fix: Advise the customer to contact their bank or try another card. Ensure your return URL is configured so failed attempts redirect back to the cart.

Problem 4 – Test Mode Keys Left Active on a Live Store

• Cause: The merchant forgot to switch to Live Mode keys after testing.
• Fix: Replace Test Mode credentials with Live Mode ones, and confirm the “Enable test mode” toggle is OFF in Shopify Payments settings.

Problem 5 – Duplicate Orders Created for a Single Payment

• Cause: Multiple webhook events, with Shopify creating a new order for each.
• Fix: Contact Razorpay support to enable idempotency settings on your account.

Problem 6 – Wrong Fees Deducted, International Rate Applied to a Domestic Transaction

• Cause: The checkout currency or card routing is misconfigured, so a domestic card is processed through the international path, applying the wrong MDR.
• Fix: Confirm your base currency matches your intended flow (Step 2), verify “International Cards” is enabled only in the Cards section, and check the transaction detail in Dashboard – Transactions. If a genuine misclassification occurred, raise it with support with the payment ID.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I accept international card payments on Shopify India with Razorpay?

Complete your Razorpay KYC, request International Payments activation inside the dashboard, install the All-in-one Razorpay Payment Gateway app with your live API keys, and test with international test cards before going live. No developer is required.

Does the IEC requirement apply if I sell digital products or services?

No for digital product sellers and service exporters, who can receive foreign payment without an IEC, though service exporters need one for Foreign Trade Policy benefits. Yes for physical goods exporters. Apply at the DGFT online portal.

What is the settlement timeline for international card payments via Razorpay?

International card payments settle on a T+2 to T+7 working day cycle, with T+7 as the documented default. This is longer than domestic settlement due to cross-border routing and RBI reporting. Instant Settlements is primarily a domestic feature.

What is a FIRA and why do I need it?

A FIRA is RBI-mandated proof that foreign currency was received into your Indian bank account. Razorpay auto-generates one per settled international transaction. You need it for zero-rated GST treatment on exports and FEMA realisation compliance.

Why is the international card option not showing at my Shopify checkout?

The most common cause is that International Payments activation is Pending or Rejected, or the “International Cards” toggle is not enabled under Cards. Check your activation status first at Dashboard – Account and Settings – International Payments.

What does it cost to accept international cards on Shopify India?

You pay three layers: Razorpay’s international MDR of 3% on the Export flow, 18% GST on the gateway fee only, and a Shopify third-party surcharge of 0.6% to 2% depending on your plan.