How do formal shops, markets and informal sellers differ for shopping in Solomon Islands?

Formal shops and retail outlets usually provide a more established sales location, while markets, stalls and informal businesses may offer locally available goods with different stock, records and seller policies. The useful comparison is the actual product, price, quantity, condition, receipt availability and return arrangement at the chosen location.

Which payment methods can consumers use when shopping in Solomon Islands?

Cash remains the main payment method, while some businesses accept BSP EFTPOS cards, interbank funds transfers, online banking or mobile wallets such as M-Selen. Electronic payment depends on the merchant, bank, network and location, and SOLATS transfers between participating banks are limited to SBD 5,000 per transaction.

What should shoppers confirm before paying an online seller in Solomon Islands?

Confirm the seller, goods, total SBD price, delivery location, payment timing, expected delivery time and return conditions. Save the listing, messages, receipt or transfer record because Solomon Islands has no evidenced nationwide marketplace, standard delivery commitment or universal online returns portal.

How can a shopper complain about a defective, unsafe or incorrectly measured product in Solomon Islands?

Keep the receipt or other purchase evidence, product information, photographs and messages with the seller, then contact the Consumer Affairs and Price Control Division of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration. The Consumer Affairs Unit may support mediation, while suspected price, measurement or safety breaches can be reported to CAPCD.

Which single-use plastic products cannot be sold during shopping in Solomon Islands?

The 2023 regulations prohibit the sale of plastic shopping bags, straws, plastic cups, plates and cutlery, polystyrene takeaway items and PET water bottles below 1.5 litres, alongside restrictions on their import, manufacture, distribution and supply. The rules have applied fully since 1 March 2024.

Shopping in Solomon Islands

Shopping in Solomon Islands takes place through formal shops and retail outlets, markets, small businesses and informal sellers. Availability, price and delivery depend strongly on island, transport, imports, season and local stock, so cash and local purchasing options remain central. Consumers should compare the total price, quantity, condition, payment method and seller's return terms, especially for online or remote purchases.

Tip

Treat shopping in Solomon Islands as a location-and-supply decision, not only a price comparison. For routine purchases, use the most reachable seller with a verifiable price, quantity, condition and proof of purchase; for remote or online orders, confirm delivery, payment and return terms before committing. Keep a cash fallback and compare the actual total cost because transport, imports, stock and payment access can change the outcome.

byMary&John

Shopping channels in Solomon Islands include Honiara Central Market, other town and provincial markets, formal shops, retail outlets, shopping centres, stalls and small businesses. The National Economic Establishment Census 2024 recorded 22,567 establishments, including 17,674 in wholesale and retail trade. Among recorded trade establishments, 9,575 were formal and 8,099 informal. These figures do not provide a complete national shop directory: remote islands may be missing, and some remaining values were estimated. Honiara accounted for 4,991 establishments and Malaita for 6,697, but the available range and stock still vary by locality. Groceries, personal and household-care products, clothing and technology are available through formal and informal retail channels, but reliable national catalogues, brand lists and price comparisons are not available. Imported goods, inter-island transport, seasonal supply, local demand and restocking affect both price and availability. Prices are in Solomon Islands dollars (SBD). A product available in Honiara may be delayed, more expensive or unavailable elsewhere. For restricted electrical products, the Approved Standards for Restricted Electrical Products Regulations 2016 provide additional safety requirements. Cash remains the main payment method; a CBSI retail-payments assessment found that about 80% of transactions were cash in 2020. Some businesses accept cards through BSP EFTPOS, including domestic cards and Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay and American Express, while access to banking and electronic payments is concentrated more strongly in Honiara. Interbank funds transfers (IFT), mobile wallets such as M-Selen and online banking depend on the participating bank, merchant, network and customer's access. SOLATS has operated between participating banks since 24 August 2026, with a maximum of SBD 5,000 per transaction. A national unified QR payment standard remains under development, so a cash fallback is sensible. A business seeking BSP EFTPOS access generally needs an application and business records such as an IPA registration and IRC tax identification number. Online shopping is developing under the National E-commerce Strategy 2022-2027 and support from the E-Commerce Implementation Unit (EIU). Local sellers may use social media, Google Business profiles, simple websites or direct messages, but there is no evidenced nationwide marketplace, standard checkout, universal delivery commitment or common returns portal. Physical addresses, last-mile delivery and inter-island logistics can create uncertainty. Confirm the seller, exact goods, total price, delivery location, payment timing, expected delivery time and return conditions before paying. Keep the listing, messages, receipt, transfer record and product details. The Consumer Protection Act 1995, Price Control Act 1982 and Weights and Measures Act 1973 support controls over consumer transactions. The Consumer Affairs and Price Control Division (CAPCD) of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration handles consumer protection, price control, weights and measures and related complaints. Controlled goods are subject to current Gazette Price Control Orders, so sellers must not exceed the applicable maximum price. Check the displayed price, quantity, measurement, condition and expiry date where relevant. Keep proof of purchase and report suspected breaches to CAPCD; the Consumer Affairs Unit can support mediation or another practical resolution. The reviewed sources do not establish a general statutory return or refund period for every purchase, so a seller's policy should be checked separately from rights concerning defective, unsafe, misdescribed or incorrectly measured goods. The Environment (Single Use Plastic Ban) Regulations 2023 prohibit the import, manufacture, distribution, supply and sale of plastic shopping bags, straws, plastic cups, plates and cutlery, polystyrene takeaway items and PET water bottles below 1.5 litres. The rules became fully effective on 1 March 2024 after a six-month grace period. Customs, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, MECDM's Environment and Conservation Division, Honiara City Council and Solomon Islands Ports Authority have enforcement roles. A documented 2026 breach involved a SBD 20,000 fine. Honiara City Council manages solid-waste collection in Honiara, while waste services outside the capital are uneven. A Product Stewardship Scheme is still being developed and should not be treated as a nationwide take-back or recycling service.