Hi all
I have recently had my Shopify payments option removed because I sell restricted products (vape store).
I did receive an email with a couple of alternatives but they are specifically available to North America and I’m based in the UK.
Does anyone have an option they know about I could use?
Kind Regards
Matt
That would indeed be correct about Shopify Payments not being available to certain restricted businesses such as those that sell vapes. You can see this on the Shopify Payments Terms of Service page here:
There are some alternatives that are available to use however. As you are based in the UK, you can check out our available UK payment gateways here. Out of those available gateways, I would recommend checking out the following in terms of restricted product support:
Feel free to check out our documentation on using Third Party Payment Providers on Shopify for more detailed information on choosing a gateway and setting it up.
Are you using any apps on your store for things like verifying your customers age? They can be helpful if you are selling age-restricted products. I found a couple here that look interesting:
Also, I came across this third party blog from a while back which outlines marketing strategies for vape stores! Check it out here.
Thanks Rick, thats really useful information.
I applied for pinwheel, but they unfortunately declined me.
I have applied for Sage Pay (Now Opayo UK), I’m still yet to hear back from them.
I already have an age verification pop up enabled, thanks for including that.
I will await for a response from Sage Pay (Opayo UK) and take it from there.
Hi Matt,
You’re definitely not alone — Shopify Payments has strict policies, and vape products (even nicotine-free ones) usually trigger restrictions.
Since you’re based in the UK, a solid alternative worth checking out is WallidPay. It’s a third-party payment gateway that supports businesses in regulated industries like vape, and works great with Shopify.
Why WallidPay might work for you:
Accepts direct bank payments (no card network restrictions)
UK-based and fully compliant
Lower transaction fees compared to traditional processors
No lengthy approvals or U.S.-only limitations
It’s a great way to keep selling while staying within policy. Definitely worth a look.
Hi Matt,
You’re definitely not alone — a lot of UK vape store owners run into this issue with Shopify Payments since vape products are considered “restricted” or “high-risk.”
One solid option you should look into is WallidPay. It’s a payment gateway that’s designed specifically for high-risk products like vapes, CBD, supplements, and adult items — and it works great for UK-registered stores.
Why WallidPay works well for vape stores:
Supports UK businesses selling restricted/high-risk products
No unnecessary blocks like with Shopify Payments or Stripe
Easy to integrate directly with your Shopify store
Fast onboarding and good support for compliance questions
Many vape businesses in Europe and the UK use WallidPay to stay online without the constant risk of getting their payment method shut down.
You can check it out here:
WallidPay Website
WallidPay Shopify App
Hope this helps — and good luck with your store!
If you’re in the UK, Search for WallidPay. **Lower fees** – Skip the high credit card charges with direct bank transfers.
* **Instant payouts** – Get your money in real time, right into your account.
* **Secure & compliant** – Uses verified bank authentication to cut down on fraud.
* **Covers major UK banks** – Offers more flexibility and boosts conversion.
* **Made for high-risk businesses** – No hassle with traditional merchant account approvals. 50% less fees, 80% less chargebacks, 37% more sales wallid.co
