Oman Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in oman, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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eCommerce
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Overview

Oman’s e-commerce market is a growing sector, driven by high internet penetration, increasing smartphone usage, and government initiatives promoting digital transformation. Despite its potential, e-commerce accounts for only about 1% of total retail sales in Oman, indicating significant room for growth. A growing youth population and increasing disposable income fuel online shopping trends. 

The necessity of doing business remotely during Oman’s COVID-19 outbreak accelerated digitalization and growth of businesses in the ICT sector. The high number of Internet users in Oman, coupled with the Omani government’s promotion of a “digital society” and “e-government,” present opportunities for B2C and B2B eCommerce. According to the Digital 2025: Oman report, Oman has approximately 514 million active Internet users, 6.71 million mobile connections and 3.29 million social media users. 

The government made many services available online to mitigate exposure to COVID-19, such as business registration and customs clearance of imported goods, payment of utility bills, and payment of traffic fines.

Current Market Trends

Over 80% of Oman’s 4.6 million population has internet access, with 95% of users accessing it via smartphones. Mobile subscriptions exceed 150% penetration. Oman’s government implements the e-Government initiative in conjunction with the provision of electronic payments (e-Payments) and Internet payments and it requires online payments for most government services. The national ePayment Gateway portal enables secure payments for e-Government services, eCommerce, eTendering, online donations, and a host of other online transactions. 

Oman’s Electronic Transactions Law, adopted in 2008, legalized the use of digital signatures in electronic commerce and communications through letters, emails, etc., to assure adequate protection to both businesses and the common public. The law also stipulates penalties for electronic crimes involving e-transactions and provides limited privacy protections for personal data. 

Domestic eCommerce (B2C)

Omani consumers primarily shop online for clothing, airline tickets, beauty care products, and hotel reservations. Oman has witnessed a growth in domestic eCommerce, particularly for groceries, as businesses moved to online platforms when physical stores closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. An increasing number of businesses, especially Omani-owned SMEs and entrepreneurs, promote and sell their merchandise through social media.

Cross-Border eCommerce

For cross-border shopping, Omani e-shoppers primarily buy clothing, airline tickets, beauty care products, and hotel services, according to a 2025 study by market advisory firm, Mordor Intelligence. For cross-border e-shopping, China remains the main country of origin for ordering furnishings, machinery, and construction materials, according to the report. Omani residents also use vehicle-related websites in the United States to order vehicles, and spare parts, taking advantage of the FTA.

B2B eCommerce

Omani companies and individuals order products directly from foreign companies and make payments through bank transfers or money exchanges. Courier companies such as FedEx and DHL ship the goods.

Commerce Services

Oman Post is working on serving the eCommerce market and making use of Oman Post’s branches and vehicles for deliveries of products ordered online. Oman Post operates an e-shipping service called Matjar, allowing customers in Oman to receive goods purchased from U.S.-based online merchants. Government-owned Asyad Express also offers cross border shipping and has partnered with Amazon for last mile delivery. However, there are hurdles in deliveries in rural areas.

eCommerce Intellectual Property Rights

In February 2022, Oman issued a personal data protection law (PDPL) that requires entities to obtain prior written consent from individuals before holding or processing their personally identifying information. The law also controls the transfer of personal data outside of Oman and requires entities to obtain approval from the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology (MTCIT) for processing certain types of sensitive personal data. 

The Executive Regulations for the PDPL providing detailed guidelines for compliance, was published on February 4, 2024, and came into effect the following day. Businesses have a grace period until February 5, 2026, to align with these requirements.

Popular eCommerce Sites

The top ecommerce sites in Oman are Amazon, eBay, Temu, and AliExpress. Other top retail sites include Namshi, Royal Oman Police, InvestEasy, and Bayan Customs. Online food order and delivery apps and grocery delivery websites and apps have gained popularity. Many brick-and-mortar shops have launched eCommerce facilities or are in the process of doing so. 

Online Payment

Payment gateways use bank cards, money exchanges, and bank transfers. The Ministry of Commerce in Oman made card payments mandatory for certain commercial establishments starting January 1, 2022, but enforcement may be inconsistent, particularly for smaller shops or those in rural areas with limited POS adoption due to connectivity issues. 

Mobile eCommerce

Alternative payments are gradually gaining prominence in Oman, with banks and telecom companies launching services. The Central Bank of Oman’s MpClear and Omantel’s eFloos apps facilitate mobile-based instant payments. Thawani Technologies, one of Oman’s leading mobile payment platforms, received the Central Bank of Oman’s first fintech license in 2020. Apple Pay and Samsung Pay launched in Oman in 2024.

Social Media

Oman had 3.29 million social media users in January 2025 (61 percent of the population). Businesses, especially Omani-owned SMEs and entrepreneurs, increasingly promote and sell their merchandise through social media. Companies are increasingly using “social media influencers” for store and product promotions. 

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Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

Limitations

As a beta product, the Chatbot is currently being tested and its responses may occasionally produce inaccurate or incomplete information. The Chatbot is trained to decline out of scope or inappropriate requests. The Chatbot’s knowledge is limited to the public information on the Export Solutions web pages of Trade.gov, which covers a wide range of topics on exporting. While it cannot provide responses specific to a company’s product or a specific foreign market, its reference pages will guide you to other relevant government resources and market research. Always double-check the Chatbot’s responses using the provided references or by visiting the Export Solutions web pages on Trade.gov. Do not use its responses as legal or professional advice. Inaccurate advice from the Chatbot would not be a defense to violating any export rules or regulations.

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