Selling vapes on Shopify in the UK is possible—but not without risk. This guide explains how to stay compliant with Shopify policies, payment gateway rules, and UK vape laws so your store doesn't get banned.
Can You Sell Vapes on Shopify in the UK?
Yes, you can—but there are strict rules you must follow. Vape products fall under Shopify’s "high-risk" category, which means you cannot use Shopify Payments and must meet both platform and legal compliance standards.
Shopify permits the sale of vape products in jurisdictions where it's legal, such as the UK. However, they also reserve the right to disable any store that violates their Acceptable Use Policy. This means your store must be extra careful about what you sell, how you present it, and what kind of infrastructure (payments, verification, policies) supports your operations.
You'll need to:
- Partner with third-party payment providers that accept vape businesses
- Use age verification tools to prevent underage sales
- Follow UK-specific laws like TPD (Tobacco Products Directive)
- Maintain proper documentation and product disclosures
Why Most Vape Stores Get Flagged or Banned
Many store owners mistakenly think that just because vape products are legal in the UK, they can operate freely on Shopify. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Here’s where most stores go wrong:
- Using Shopify Payments: This is the most common mistake. Shopify Payments (powered by Stripe) prohibits high-risk categories including tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vape liquids. Even if your store gets approved initially, it can be shut down later once your products are reviewed.
- No Age Verification: Selling to minors is illegal, and Shopify doesn’t automatically handle age verification. If you're not using a third-party tool or app, you're at risk.
- Improper Product Descriptions: Vague or non-compliant product labels, lack of nicotine content disclosure, or claims like "safe alternative to smoking" can trigger flags.
- Missing Legal Pages: If your store doesn't include Terms & Conditions, a privacy policy, or a returns page, it may be deemed untrustworthy or non-compliant.
Vape-Friendly Payment Gateways for Shopify (UK)
Because Shopify Payments is off-limits, you'll need to rely on high-risk friendly gateways. Here's a comparison of the most popular and reliable options:
WalliD Pay by Bank is particularly effective for vape merchants, offering a fast and secure way to accept payments without the risk of being flagged by card processors. Unlike traditional credit card systems, it works through direct bank payments, making it inherently more compliant for high-risk industries.
Enabling Age Verification on Shopify
UK law requires all vape merchants to restrict access to buyers under the age of 18. This isn’t just a moral obligation—it’s legal. Shopify doesn’t offer age verification tools out of the box, so store owners must add them manually using third-party apps or custom development.
Recommended apps include:
- Age Check Plus – Offers popups, age gates, and logs user interactions
- Smart Age Verification – Automatically integrates with checkout and product pages
- Age Gate – Lightweight and customizable for UK and EU regulations
Your age gate should:
- Be visible on store entry
- Block access until birthdate or ID is verified
- Log and store user data for compliance reviews
If you’re using a payment method like Pay by Bank, you may be able to automate age verification at checkout via identity-based KYC checks.
Can You Dropship Vapes in the UK with Shopify?
Yes, but dropshipping vape products still carries legal responsibility. You cannot simply pass all liability to your supplier. As the merchant of record, you are responsible for ensuring age verification, product compliance, and refund processing.
When choosing a supplier:
- Confirm they are registered and legally compliant under UK laws (especially TPD)
- Ensure they use proper labeling and packaging
- Avoid suppliers that ship from outside the UK or EU without proper customs declarations
You should also:
- Build a transparent return and refund policy
- Clearly state the age requirement on product and policy pages
- Confirm product origin and safety documentation (especially for e-liquids)
Dropshipping can still be a profitable model—as long as you manage it with care.
Conclusion
Selling vapes on Shopify in the UK is entirely possible—but only if you build your store with compliance in mind from day one. The most common mistake new merchants make is treating vape like any other Shopify niche. It's not.
You need:
- A high-risk payment method that won’t flag your store
- Reliable age verification tools
- Fully transparent policies and product descriptions
- TPD-compliant dropshipping suppliers if you’re not warehousing
By using a payment method like Pay by Bank through WalliD, you not only meet compliance standards but also gain an edge in transaction security and customer trust.
This isn’t just about keeping your store live—it’s about building a business that can grow confidently, without fear of sudden shutdowns or legal issues.
