Introduction
From 2025, UK regulators are tightening online compliance for restricted and research-use products, including peptides.
Under the UK Online Safety Act and Trading Standards enforcement, sellers who fail to implement age verificationcan face severe penalties — even if their Shopify store only markets peptides for research use.
This guide explains how age verification protects research peptide merchants from fines, what Shopify requires, and how Pay by Bank simplifies compliance with built-in, bank-verified age checks.
TL;DR (Key Takeaways)
- Research peptides must not be sold to minors — age gates reduce legal exposure.
- UK regulators (Trading Standards, CMA) can fine unverified sellers.
- Shopify requires restricted-product stores to show age checks.
- Pay by Bank offers built-in bank-verified age verification during checkout.
- Failing to verify can lead to account bans or payment holds.
Legal Background: Why Age Verification Matters for Peptides
Research peptides are not illegal, but they are regulated substances that must be sold responsibly.
Even though you market them “for research use only, not for human consumption,” UK regulators classify them as restricted due to potential misuse.
The key compliance pillars:
- Online Safety Act 2025 → requires checks for age-restricted sales.
- Consumer Protection Regulations → prevent misleading marketing.
- Shopify’s Acceptable Use Policy → mandates age verification for high-risk or research-use categories.
Failing to verify can trigger:
- Fines up to £10,000 per breach (Trading Standards).
- Shopify store suspension or payment block.
- Loss of access to card processors like Stripe or Shopify Payments.
How Shopify Treats Age-Restricted Products
Shopify’s systems automatically flag stores that mention:
- “Research chemicals,”
- “SARMs,”
- “Peptides,”
- or any “Not for human consumption” disclaimer.
That’s why stores selling peptides must show age verification banners or pop-ups before checkout.
💡 Shopify’s crawler uses text-based detection, so even your product descriptions trigger compliance reviews.
If no age check is present, your account can be marked as “unsafe” and suspended for “high-risk activity.”
Practical Compliance Steps for Peptide Merchants
1. Add an 18+ age verification popup before browsing or checkout.
2. Display disclaimers: “For laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption.”
3. Publish legal pages (Refund, Privacy, Shipping, Terms).
4. Require age confirmation at checkout (Pay by Bank automates this).
5. Keep COAs and batch traceability on file.
Why Pay by Bank Makes Compliance Easier
Traditional payment gateways like Stripe and Shopify Payments rely on card networks and don’t handle age verification.
Pay by Bank (Wallid) solves this by using Open Banking APIs to authenticate the buyer directly through their bank.
That means:
- Age is confirmed through bank-verified date of birth.
- No need for external verification plugins.
- Instant payment confirmation & zero chargebacks.
- Lower transaction fees (from 0.7% + £0.25).
Compared to Card Gateways
How Age Verification Protects You from Fines
Without verification, your store risks being classified as “unsafe for minors”, triggering:
- Regulatory audits or penalties.
- Removal from Shopify’s payment ecosystem.
- Frozen payouts or withheld settlements.
Pay by Bank’s built-in age check protects you automatically:
- Customer logs into their bank.
- Service confirms age ≥18 through trusted data sources.
- Payment and compliance proof stored in your Wallid Merchant Dashboard.
This creates a verifiable audit trail for regulators — ensuring you’re protected from fines.
Compliance Checklist for Peptide Stores
18+ verification on homepage or checkout
“For research use only” disclaimer
Lab report (COA) links on product pages
Refund & privacy policies visible
Pay by Bank enabled for verified payments
No medical or therapeutic claims
UK business address and contact email listed
FAQ
Is age verification required for peptide sales in the UK?
Yes. Peptides are restricted research-use products — selling without an age gate risks fines and Shopify removal.
Does Shopify have built-in age verification?
No. You must add an app or use a payment method like Pay by Bank that includes age checks.
How does Pay by Bank verify age?
Via the customer’s bank data, connected with trusted sources.
Can I use Shopify Payments for peptides?
No. Shopify Payments (Stripe) blocks research-use products.
What’s the best compliant setup for peptide stores?
Shopify + Pay by Bank + visible disclaimers + age verification + COA uploads.
Speakable Summary
“UK peptide sellers must verify customer age to comply with the Online Safety Act and Shopify’s high-risk policy. Pay by Bank offers built-in age verification using Open Banking, preventing fines and keeping stores compliant.”
