Selling research peptides online in the UK can be profitable — but payment processing is where most merchants struggle.
Because peptides are often classified as research-use only substances, Shopify Payments and Stripe will reject them.
So, which gateways can you actually use in 2025 without risking frozen funds or account bans?
This guide compares the most peptide-friendly payment options available to UK sellers.
Why Peptide Merchants Need Special Payment Gateways
Peptides = high-risk category.
That means higher fraud monitoring, more documentation, and frequent restrictions.
Typical issues include:
❌ Shopify Payments & Stripe ban research-use products.
💸 High transaction fees (3–6%) with “high-risk” providers.
⚠️ Sudden payout holds or reserves.
🧾 Complex onboarding and compliance checks.
To stay online and compliant, you need a gateway that:
Accepts research-use peptides legally;
Supports Shopify or WooCommerce integration;
Offers predictable fees;
Doesn’t rely on card networks prone to chargebacks.
Payment Gateway
Accepts Peptides?
Transaction Fees
Payout Speed
Chargeback Risk
Shopify Integration
Pay by Bank (Wallid)
✅ Yes (Research-Use Friendly)
~0.7% + £0.25
⚡ Instant
🛡 None
Native App + Checkout Extension
Viva Wallet
⚠ Partially (Case-by-case)
2.5% – 3.8%
2–5 days
⚠ Medium
Manual Setup
WorldPay
✅ Yes (Traditional High-Risk)
~2.9% + 20p
3–7 days
⚠ Medium
API Integration
CoinPayments
⚠ Crypto-only, unregulated
~1% flat
Variable
⚠ High (Volatility / Refunds)
Third-party Plugin
eMerchantPay
✅ Yes (Manual Review)
3–5% + setup
5–7 days
⚠ Medium
Custom Integration
Why Pay by Bank Leads the Pack
Zero Chargebacks
Because transactions are authorised directly through the customer’s bank, there are no card disputes or chargeback fees.
Instant Settlements
Funds arrive in your bank account in seconds — no more waiting 3–7 days for payout cycles.
Compliant and Transparent
Supports research-use disclaimers, integrates with built-in age verification, and provides instant transaction records for audit trails.
Compliance Considerations for Peptide Sellers
To maintain processing access and avoid merchant bans:
✅ Add “For research use only. Not for human consumption.” on every peptide listing.
✅ Keep lab reports (COAs) visible and downloadable.
✅ Use an age-gate (18+ check) on checkout.
✅ Never make therapeutic or bodybuilding claims.
✅ Register a UK business entity (Companies House).
Gateways like Wallid Pay by Bank may request screenshots of these compliance steps before approval — this is normal and ensures long-term account safety.
Selling High-Risk Products on Shopify?
Wallid’s Pay by Bank is built for compliant checkout — no card chargebacks, no blocked payments.
Enable Pay by Bank under Settings → Payments → Alternative Methods.
Add your compliance policies and test the checkout.
Once active, customers will see “Pay by Bank” alongside PayPal or credit card — with faster checkout and no extra fees.
Final Thoughts
If you’re selling research peptides in the UK, your biggest challenges are:
compliance, payment approval, and cash flow.
Traditional gateways like Stripe, Shopify Payments, or PayPal won’t work — but Pay by Bank offers a low-fee, instant-settlement alternative built for regulated industries.
Pro Tip: Add visible lab reports and disclaimers to increase both approval rates and customer trust.