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How to Avoid Payment Holds and Frozen Funds on Shopify UK

Illustration of a locked Shopify laptop surrounded by icons representing CBD, vape, supplements, and a warning symbol—depicting payment holds and frozen funds for UK merchants.
Running a CBD, vape, supplement, or adult store on Shopify UK? You’ve likely been hit with payout delays, sudden holds, or frozen funds—especially from Stripe, PayPal, or Shopify Payments. This guide explains why it happens and how to fix it permanently using Wall ID and Pay by Bank.

Key Takeaways:

  • Shopify Payments, Stripe, and PayPal often freeze funds for high-risk stores
  • Holds delay payouts, disrupt cash flow, and create compliance issues
  • High-risk merchants need a payment gateway built for regulated products
  • Pay by Bank settles instantly with no card networks or reserve policies
  • Wall ID offers reliable, legal payments for CBD, vape, adult, and supplement stores

How Payment Freezes Impact Business Growth

Payment holds don’t just cause frustration—they directly impact a merchant’s ability to operate and grow. When funds are frozen:

  • Cash flow suffers: You can’t restock or reinvest without access to your earnings
  • Payroll and tax planning becomes risky: Financial timelines get disrupted
  • Marketing slows down: Ad campaigns are paused due to payout uncertainty
  • Supplier terms may be missed: Leading to late fees or order cancellations

Even one payout delay can cause a domino effect across Shopify operations—especially in fast-moving sectors like CBD or supplements.

Why Funds Get Frozen on Shopify

Shopify Payments, Stripe, and PayPal all rely on traditional card networks—and these networks classify certain industries as “high risk,” even when the products are completely legal in the UK.

If your store sells anything in the following categories, you’re likely flagged automatically

  • Cannabidiol (CBD)
  • Nicotine and vape
  • Adult items
  • Supplements

Then you’re likely flagged automatically. As a result, these platforms often:

  • Freeze funds or delay payouts
  • Request excessive documentation
  • Deactivate accounts without warning

This creates instability, lost revenue, and planning difficulty for Shopify CFOs.

What You Need: A High-Risk Payment Processor for Shopify

A high risk payment processor Shopify merchants can trust must:

  • Approve regulated product stores
  • Offer fast, reliable UK settlement
  • Avoid card-based chargeback and fraud rules
  • Provide audit logs and age verification if needed

Why Pay by Bank Is the Best Alternative

Unlike cards, Pay by Bank is a push payment method powered by open banking. Customers approve payment directly from their bank app—so there's no chargeback risk, and no reason to hold funds.
Feature
Stripe/PayPal
Pay by Bank (Wall ID)
Settlement Delay
2–7 days
Instant or ≤2 hours
Funds Held/Blocked
Often
Never
Chargeback Risk
High
None
Age Verification
Manual or not supported
Built-in
Product Approval
Strict or denied
Supported if legal in UK

Why Wall ID Is the High-Risk Shopify Solution

Wall ID provides a payment gateway for regulated products Shopify stores can count on:

  • FCA-regulated
  • Instant payouts to your UK business bank account
  • Full fraud control and encryption
  • No rolling reserves or sudden account freezes
  • Trusted by UK stores selling CBD, vape, adult, and wellness products

Ready to Stop Payment Freezes for Good?

Stripe and PayPal often freeze funds or block payouts for CBD, vape, and supplement stores. Wall ID solves this with Pay by Bank—an FCA-regulated payment method that settles instantly and supports legal high-risk products in the UK.

Want payouts without delays or surprise freezes? How to Install Pay by Bank on Shopify

FAQ

Why are funds frozen on Shopify Payments, Stripe, or PayPal?

These platforms don’t support high-risk industries like CBD or vape—even if legal. They freeze funds to limit fraud risk.

What’s the best way to avoid payout delays on Shopify?

Use a high-risk payment processor like Wall ID with Pay by Bank for instant settlement and reliable approval.

Is Pay by Bank legal and regulated in the UK?

Yes. It’s based on open banking and fully FCA-regulated for business use.

Can I still use Shopify Payments while using Pay by Bank?

Yes, many merchants choose to offer Pay by Bank alongside Shopify Payments. This helps reduce risk while still offering card options for low-risk items.

What happens if I switch from PayPal or Stripe?

Your payout experience will likely improve. Pay by Bank doesn’t freeze funds or apply rolling reserves—giving you more control over your income.

About the Author

This article was written by Wallid’s team of high-risk commerce specialists, focused on helping UK Shopify merchants accept payments for CBD, vape, nootropics, alcohol, and other regulated products. Wallid’s FCA-regulated Pay by Bank solution eliminates chargebacks, reduces fees, and enables fast, compliant checkout for high-risk stores.

Learn more at wallid.co.

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