Google Merchant Center Country Switch Guide

Step-by-step guide for international merchants expanding to new markets. Complete the switch in 2-4 hours with our proven process.

🇪🇺 EU → 🇺🇸 US 🇦🇺 AU → 🇺🇸 US 🇬🇧 UK → 🇺🇸 US 🇺🇸 US → 🇪🇺 EU

🎯 When You Need This Guide

This guide is for you if:

✅ Prerequisites (Complete These First)

📝 Step-by-Step Country Switch Process

1
Add Target Country Shipping
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  • In Shopify: Go to Settings → Shipping and delivery
  • Click Manage rates next to your shipping profile
  • Add a new shipping zone for your target country (e.g., United States)
  • Configure shipping rates and delivery times
  • Save changes
📷 Screenshot: Shopify Shipping Settings
2
Activate International Markets
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  • In Shopify: Go to Settings → Markets
  • Click Add market
  • Select your target country (e.g., United States)
  • Configure pricing and payment settings
  • Activate the market

Important: Test checkout from target country using a VPN or ask a friend in that country to verify the complete checkout process works.

📷 Screenshot: Shopify Markets Configuration
3
Add Target Country Address
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  • Add warehouse/fulfillment address in target country to your Contact page
  • Update Contact Policy: Settings → Policies → Contact information
  • Add the address to your website footer
  • Format: "US Warehouse: 123 Fulfillment Ave, City, State ZIP"
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Don't delete your home country address - you need BOTH addresses visible on your site!
📷 Screenshot: Contact Page with Both Addresses
4
Configure Target Country Taxes
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  • In Google Merchant Center: Products → Sales Tax → Edit
  • For US: Set up state-by-state sales tax or use automatic collection
  • For EU: Configure VAT rates per country
  • Ensure settings match your Shopify tax configuration

For Shopify: Go to Settings → Taxes → United States and configure based on your nexus obligations.

📷 Screenshot: Merchant Center Tax Settings
5
Set Up Dual-Currency Shipping in Merchant Center
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  • In Merchant Center: Shipping and returns → Add Shipping Information
  • Create shipping method #1 in your home currency (e.g., EUR)
  • Create shipping method #2 in target currency (e.g., USD)
  • Both methods should cover your target country
  • This allows Google to show your products during the transition period
📷 Screenshot: Dual Currency Shipping Setup
6
Add Target Country to Merchant Center
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  • In Merchant Center: Business Info → Countries
  • Verify target country is added (may happen automatically)
  • If not: Click Add Countries → Add Countries to all products
  • Select your target country (e.g., United States)
📷 Screenshot: Adding Countries in Merchant Center
7
Switch Store Currency
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  • Option A: Contact Shopify support to change currency (recommended for first-time switch)
  • Option B: In Shopify: Settings → Store Details → Store Currency
  • Change to target currency (e.g., USD)
⚠️ WARNING: This affects ALL prices on your store! Make sure you're ready for this change. Consider doing it during low-traffic hours.
📷 Screenshot: Currency Change in Shopify
8
Update Shipping Rates in New Currency
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  • After currency change: Go to Settings → Shipping and delivery
  • DELETE all old shipping rates (they're now in wrong currency)
  • CREATE new shipping rates in the new currency
  • Ensure rates match your Merchant Center shipping settings
⚠️ CRITICAL: Mismatched shipping currencies between Shopify and Merchant Center will cause product disapprovals!
📷 Screenshot: New Shipping Rates Setup
9
Verify Product Prices
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  • In Shopify: Go to Products tab
  • Check that all product prices converted correctly to new currency
  • Some prices may need manual correction (rounding issues)
  • Update compare-at prices if applicable
📷 Screenshot: Product Price Verification
10
Configure Simprosys Feed App (if using)
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  • In Shopify Apps: Open Simprosys Google Shopping Feed
  • Go to Settings → Google Shopping Settings
  • Find Primary Target Country
  • Change to target country (e.g., United States)
  • If you see errors: Reinstall the Simprosys app
  • Wait 5 minutes for sync
📷 Screenshot: Simprosys Country Configuration
11
Verify Content API Feed
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  • In Merchant Center: Go to Settings → Data Sources
  • You should see Content API feed targeting new country
  • Product IDs should start with: shopify_US_xxxxxxx (for US)
  • If you see multiple feeds with old country: Actions → Delete Source for old feed
⚠️ NOTE: Old country products will disappear automatically within 24-48 hours. Don't manually delete them.
📷 Screenshot: Data Sources in Merchant Center
12
Verify Shopping Ads Eligibility
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  • In Merchant Center: Products → All Products → Download
  • Open with Google Sheets or Excel
  • Look for "Shopping Ads" columns (should show "pending" or "active")
  • If columns are missing: Products are only approved for Free Listings

If Shopping Ads columns missing: Contact Merchant Center support with this message:

"I'm using Merchant Center Next. My products are approved for Free Listings but I need them submitted to Shopping Ads program. Please review and approve for Shopping Ads."
📷 Screenshot: Product Feed with Shopping Ads Columns

🚨 Common Errors & Fixes

ERROR 1: "Unable to change Primary Target Country in Simprosys"

The setting appears grayed out or won't save.

✔ Solution: Uninstall and reinstall the Simprosys app. Wait 5 minutes after reinstalling, then try changing the target country again.

ERROR 2: "Products approved but can't create Shopping campaigns"

Products show as approved in Merchant Center but Google Ads says no products available.

✔ Solution: Your products are only in Free Listings, not Shopping Ads program. Contact GMC support and request Shopping Ads program enrollment.

ERROR 3: "Shipping currency mismatch error"

Products disapproved due to mismatched price [currency].

✔ Solution: Ensure shipping rates in Shopify are in the same currency as your Merchant Center shipping settings. Delete old rates and create new ones in correct currency.

ERROR 4: "Product IDs still showing old country code"

Products show as shopify_EU_xxx instead of shopify_US_xxx.

✔ Solution: Wait 24-48 hours. Old products will disappear automatically. Do NOT manually delete them - this can cause issues with product history.

✅ Verification Checklist

Before creating Shopping campaigns, verify all items are complete:

🙏 Need Help?

Choose the option that works best for you:

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