How to Open a Shopee Store in the Philippines (2025 Edition)

Starting your own Shopee store in the Philippines has never been more accessible or rewarding than it is in 2025. With more than 58 million monthly site visits and over 73 million Filipinos shopping online as of last year¹², Shopee offers an unparalleled opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to build an online business with minimal startup costs.

Whether you want to sell physical products, launch a side hustle, or scale an online empire, Shopee’s platform is designed to support sellers at every level. In this updated 2025 edition, we’ll walk you through how to open a Shopee store, understand the local legal requirements, optimize your listings, and choose whether to stock your own inventory or run a hands-off dropshipping business.

Why Choose Shopee?

It’s Where the Customers Are

Shopee remains the dominant e-commerce platform in the Philippines, capturing 46.9% of Southeast Asia’s market share³ and ranking #1 in terms of traffic, app downloads, and social media mentions among local online buyers.

Thanks to built-in promotions, user-friendly seller tools, and nationwide delivery support, Shopee is a great place to start and grow your online business. It caters well to local habits, offering:

• Cash-on-Delivery (COD) options

• Free shipping campaigns

• Mobile-first buyer experience

• Integrated logistics with partners like J&T, Ninja Van, Gogo Xpress, and LBC

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Open a Shopee Store

Step 1: Create Your Seller Account

Go to Shopee Philippines and register. You can sign up using a mobile number, email address, or social media account. Once you verify your details, head to the Shopee Seller Center, where you’ll manage everything from your shop profile to orders, returns, and analytics.

Step 2: Set Up Your Shop Profile

This is your brand’s storefront, so it’s important to build credibility and personality.

• Shop Name – Keep it short, relevant, and easy to remember

• Logo & Banner – Upload high-quality graphics that reflect your brand

• Shop Description – Tell customers what you sell and what makes you different

• Policies – Clearly state shipping, return, and response expectations

You can also link your social media pages and share your customer service hours.

Step 3: Add Products to Your Store

Click “Add New Product” inside Seller Center and fill in the following:

• Product name with relevant keywords

• Category and attributes (Shopee’s AI will help recommend one)

• Full description, including specs, usage, and benefits

• Selling price and stock quantity

• Product variations (e.g., sizes, colors)

• Weight and dimensions (for calculating shipping)

• At least 3–5 clear product photos (white background preferred)

• Optional: upload a product video or lifestyle image

✅ Tip: Use descriptive, searchable keywords in your product title like “USB rechargeable desk fan – portable mini cooler for travel and home use.”

Step 4: Set Up Delivery and Payment Settings

Under the “Shipping” tab, you can choose from Shopee’s built-in logistics partners. You’ll also need to:

• Enter your pick-up address

• Assign delivery time estimates

• Link a verified bank account so Shopee can send your payouts

Buyers can pay via GCash, Maya, credit/debit card, or COD. Shopee handles all payment collection, and you’ll get paid once the order is marked as delivered.

Step 5: Understand the Seller Fees

Shopee’s basic platform usage is free. However, the following fees apply to sellers as of the date posted of this article (June 2, 2025):

New sellers may also benefit from promotional offers like 0% commission for the first 6 months, depending on eligibility⁴.

Always refer to your Seller Center dashboard or Shopee announcements for the latest fee schedule.

Legal Requirements for Shopee Sellers in the Philippines

Although it’s possible to sell informally, you’ll benefit long-term by registering your business. Formal registration allows you to:

• Join bigger Shopee campaigns

• Issue receipts to B2B buyers

• Qualify for MSME loans or government support

• Establish credibility for brand partnerships

Here’s what you need:

1. DTI Registration – Get your business name approved at bnrs.dti.gov.ph

2. BIR Certificate – Secure your TIN and file for a COR at the BIR Regional District Office

3. Barangay Clearance & Mayor’s Permit – For storefronts or warehouse-based operations

4. FDA Approval – Required for cosmetics, food, supplements, and medical items

⚠️ Important: Non-compliance with these requirements may result in deactivation of your listings or legal penalties.

Should You Dropship?

Yes, if you want to start selling on Shopee with zero inventory and minimal capital.

With dropshipping, you only buy products after someone orders from your store. The supplier handles packaging and delivery. This model is perfect for:

• Side hustlers

• Students and stay-at-home parents

• First-time sellers who want to test demand

If you want a plug-and-play guide that’s already tailored for the Philippines, we recommend this hands-off dropshipping blueprint, built specifically for Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok sellers. It includes:

• Supplier directory (PH + China)

• Shopify-to-Shopee integration

• Order automation tools

• Profit calculators

• Ready-made templates and workflows

This approach removes the headache of manual fulfillment while maximizing your store’s profit margins.

How to Promote and Grow Your Shopee Store in 2025

Once your store is up and running, marketing is what sets you apart. Shopee provides free and paid ways to increase traffic:

Free Marketing Tools:

• Shopee Live – Host livestreams to interact with buyers and showcase products

• Chat Broadcasts – Message your followers about promos and new drops

• Daily Vouchers – Offer ₱20 off for first-time buyers

• Bundles – Combine items to boost average cart value

Paid Promotions:

• Shopee Ads – Appear on the homepage or product search results

• Flash Deals – Join time-sensitive campaigns with heavy discounts

• Affiliate Marketing – Let influencers promote your products for a fee

You can also grow externally through:

• TikTok content showing product use

• Facebook Marketplace cross-posting

• YouTube reviews or unboxing videos

• Collaborations with micro-influencers

Common Mistakes New Sellers Make

❌ Poor product photos — Blurry, low-resolution images damage trust
❌ Misleading titles — Avoid clickbait or overly vague names
❌ Ignoring chat messages — Response time affects your rating
❌ Not updating stock — Leads to cancellation penalties
❌ No customer service — Reviews matter on Shopee; one-star ratings can hurt future sales

✅ Fix: Set alerts for messages and orders on your phone, and create quick reply templates for faster service.

The Philippine e-commerce space is growing faster than ever, and Shopee remains the best local platform to tap into this opportunity. You don’t need a huge investment, years of experience, or even a product in hand to get started. What you do need is a system, consistency, and the right guidance.

For a complete setup roadmap, marketing tactics, automation tools, and even a pre-built supplier network, visit K+ Collective, a resource hub for Filipino dropshippers and entrepreneurs looking to start smarter, not harder.

Date posted: June 3, 2025
Author: K+ Collective