Selling CBD, vape, or adult products on Shopify in the UK? You're entering a high-risk market—where compliance isn’t just recommended, it’s essential. This guide will walk you through exactly how to build a Shopify store that’s legal, secure, and set up to accept payments without the risk of sudden freezes or account closures.
Understand what qualifies as a “high-risk” product under Shopify policies
Learn how to write compliant, legal website content
Add required age verification for restricted items
Use a payment gateway that supports CBD, vape, and adult items (like Wall ID)
Launch faster and reduce your risk of account shutdown
What Makes a Shopify Store High Risk?
Shopify categorizes certain product categories as high-risk based on legal ambiguity, regulatory scrutiny, or card network sensitivity. High-risk products include:
CBD and hemp-derived products
Vape and nicotine accessories
Adult products
Supplements making health or performance claims
Note: “High-risk” doesn’t mean illegal—it means you’ll need to meet higher standards of compliance and choose the right tech stack.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up a Compliant Shopify Store
Step 1: Register Your UK Business
Register with Companies House and list a valid UK business address. This helps build trust and is essential for payment approval.
Step 2: Use a Professional Theme & Compliant Copy
Design and content must meet compliance standards. Avoid:
Health claims like “cures anxiety” or “heals pain”
Overly sexualised imagery
Misleading terms like “miracle” or “100% guaranteed”
Step 3: Add Age Verification Tools
For age-restricted products (e.g., vape or adult):
Use Shopify apps like Age Check or ShopAge
Set up verification at checkout and product pages
Step 4: Publish Legal Pages (Tailored to UK Law)
Make sure your:
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
Refund Policy
Shipping Policy
are easy to find and reflect UK consumer protection laws.
Step 5: Choose the Right Payment Gateway
Avoid Shopify Payments or PayPal—they don’t support high-risk products like CBD, vape, or adult items.
Instead, choose a specialist high-risk payment provider like Wall ID, which is FCA-regulated and designed for UK compliance.
Why Wall ID Is the Best Option for High-Risk Shopify Stores
While traditional merchant accounts and mainstream payment processors can introduce risk, cost, and complexity, Wall ID is purpose-built to support regulated UK ecommerce. It's the only gateway designed from the ground up to help Shopify stores selling CBD, vape, or adult products stay compliant and operational.
Why merchants choose Wall ID:
FCA-regulated with full UK compliance
No rolling reserves, application delays, or freeze risks
Zero chargebacks and instant payouts
Fully compatible with Shopify checkout
Optional built-in age verification
Wall ID eliminates the need for acquirers, complex underwriting, or high-risk merchant contracts—so you can go live faster and stay live longer.
Comparison Table: Shopify Payment Gateway Options
Feature
Shopify Payments (Stripe)
PayPal
Wall ID / Pay-by-Bank
CBD/Vape Friendly
No
No
Yes
Age Verification Built-In
No
No
Yes (optional via app)
Chargebacks
Yes
Yes
No
Freeze Risk
High
High
Low
UK FCA-Regulated
No
No
Yes
“WallidPay synced with my store in under an hour. Payments land instantly and their support is spot-on.”
– Verified Shopify Merchant, UK
“We sell age-restricted products. Wallid handles verification seamlessly—without slowing down the customer experience.”
– Verified Shopify Merchant, UK
Speakable
Building a high-risk Shopify store in the UK? From CBD and vape to adult products, the key is choosing a payment provider that won’t flag or freeze your account. Wall ID helps you go live fast—without chargebacks, contract delays, or card bans.- Install Pay by Bank on Shopify.
FAQ
What makes a Shopify product high risk?
Anything involving health claims, regulated substances, adult content, or age restrictions.
Can I use Shopify Payments or PayPal for CBD or vape?
No. These platforms block high-risk categories—even if they're legal in the UK.
How do I verify customer age on Shopify?
Use apps like Age Check or ShopAge that integrate with checkout and product pages.
Do I need a license to sell CBD or vape in the UK?
Usually not, but you must follow strict labelling, age checks, and marketing regulations.
What happens if my processor shuts down my store?
You risk losing access to payouts and your account. That’s why high-risk stores use Wall ID—no surprise freezes or chargebacks.
About the Author
This guide was written by the team at Wallid, specialists in UK high-risk ecommerce compliance. We help Shopify merchants in regulated sectors—like CBD, vape, adult products, and supplements—launch legally, stay online, and accept payments without account freezes or chargebacks. Our FCA-regulated Pay by Bank solution integrates directly with Shopify and is built to keep high-risk stores compliant, fast, and operational from day one.