Supermarkets, minimarkets, pharmacies, general stores, boutiques, electronics shops and hotel or souvenir shops cover most everyday purchases. The Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market in Victoria is a key place for fresh produce, fish, spices and crafts, while STC and the Bois de Rose Shopping Complex provide broader supermarket and hypermarket ranges. Roadside stalls, district markets and fishermen markets offer additional local purchasing options. Availability, brands and delivery can change by island and by season, and imported goods may have gaps in size, model or stock. Prices are normally stated in Seychellois rupees (SCR). Shops may accept cash, debit or credit cards, card payments at terminals, online payments, Internet banking, mobile banking, electronic money and QR payments, but the available method depends on the seller. The Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS) oversees the national payment system. Cheque rules changed at the end of 2025, so current bank and merchant conditions should be checked before relying on a cheque. Keep the receipt and the matching account transaction or payment confirmation. For clothing, confirm the size, condition and exchange policy before paying because imported ranges can be limited. For technology, keep the invoice, model number and IMEI where applicable, and check network compatibility, warranty terms and the seller's repair arrangements. For personal and household-care products, inspect the label, expiry date, original packaging and seller information. International platforms and direct shipping from overseas shops are a functional alternative when local stock is unavailable. Before ordering, check whether the seller delivers to Seychelles, the shipping time, the complete price, the returns address and the seller's return procedure. A final price may include shipping, handling, import VAT, customs duty or another levy. The Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC) administers customs, including shipments handled by post and courier services through customs control. Personal imports may require a national identification number (NIN), a commercial invoice and customs documents such as CN22 or CN23; a Bill of Entry or an import permit may also be required. Customs value is generally based on CIF, meaning cost, insurance and freight, plus any applicable duty or excise. Prohibited goods cannot be imported, while restricted goods require the relevant permit, and payment may be required before release. A current low-value relief of up to SCR 1,500 can apply to certain commercial postal or courier goods, excluding alcohol and tobacco, subject to the current rules. Use a secure connection such as HTTPS and never disclose card details or one-time passwords in response to an unsolicited message. For a faulty, misdescribed, incorrectly supplied or otherwise disputed purchase, contact the seller first with the receipt, payment proof, photographs and a short chronology. The Fair Trading Commission (FTC) is Seychelles' consumer and fair-trading body and can receive complaints, investigate matters and use notices, orders, remedies or financial penalties under the Consumer Protection Act 2010 and Fair Trading Act 2022. A general right to return goods solely because of a change of mind is not clearly established in the reviewed rules, so a voluntary exchange policy must be confirmed with the seller before purchase. Local products, market purchases, durable goods, repairable items, reusable containers and reduced packaging can lower the impact of shopping. Imported goods also involve transport distance, packaging and sometimes a cold chain. Seychelles prohibits imports such as plastic drinking straws and certain balloons, but no single product-wide recycling or take-back system should be assumed for every item.
Shopping in Seychelles
Shopping in Seychelles is based mainly on established physical stores, markets and smaller local outlets. Mahé and Victoria offer the widest selection, while Praslin, La Digue and the outer islands usually have smaller or less predictable ranges. International online stores can provide additional choice, but delivery, customs charges, payment security and returns require careful checking.
Tip
Use a local shop or market when you need immediate access, want to inspect the goods or need a simpler exchange process. Use international online shopping mainly when local stock is unavailable, and compare the complete landed price and return process before paying. Keep proof of purchase for every higher-value, imported or potentially disputed item.