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.
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.
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.