Selling CBD on Shopify: How to Get a CBD Merchant Account & Payment Processor

Selling CBD on Shopify is entirely possible for US merchants — but not through Shopify Payments. To accept credit card payments for hemp-derived products, you'll need a dedicated CBD merchant account and a third-party payment processor that supports the vertical.

This guide walks through Shopify's CBD selling policy rules, why Shopify Payments won't carry CBD transactions, how third-party processors and gateways connect to your Shopify checkout, and how to get your merchant account approved — from application through underwriting.

Can You Sell CBD on Shopify?

Yes. US merchants can sell hemp-derived CBD products containing less than 0.3% THC on Shopify, provided they comply with Shopify's CBD policy and all federal and state regulations. The catch: Shopify Payments doesn't support CBD, so you'll need a third-party CBD payment processor and a high-risk merchant account to accept payments.

The rest of this guide breaks down each of those requirements — the policy rules, the processing workaround, and the approval process — in order.

Shopify CBD Selling Policy Rules

Shopify has specific guidelines for selling CBD on its platform, and its policy sits on top of federal and state law — you're responsible for complying with all of it. Failure to do so could result in your merchant account being closed. Work through this checklist before you launch:

• Hemp-derived only. In the United States, only hemp-derived CBD products are allowed for sale on Shopify.
• Less than 0.3% THC. Products must comply with federal regulations, including containing less than 0.3% THC.
• State-by-state restrictions. Shopify's CBD policy requires compliance with state laws, which can vary widely — confirm the rules in every state you plan to sell into.
• Ingredient and labeling disclosure. Your store must clearly state your products' ingredients, especially for consumables like CBD gummies and edibles, which fall under FDA regulation.
• No unapproved health claims. The FDA limits what you can say about CBD, so keep marketing copy free of claims that products treat or cure conditions.
• Certificates of analysis (COAs). Keep current COAs showing THC below 0.3% for every product — banks and underwriters may ask to verify them.

Because regulations continue to shift at the federal and state level, review Shopify's CBD policy and your state requirements regularly. Consulting with legal counsel is highly recommended before setting up your Shopify CBD store.

Why Shopify Payments Doesn't Support CBD

Shopify Payments is the platform's built-in payment processor, but it does not currently enable CBD businesses to use its payment gateway. That isn't a Shopify quirk — it reflects how the payments industry treats the vertical. CBD is categorized as high-risk because of the varying legal restrictions across states and countries, and because the banks that support these accounts don't want the risk of bad brand association with products in this space.

Trying to push CBD sales through Shopify Payments anyway is a costly shortcut: merchants risk payment holds and account shutdowns once the products are flagged.

The good news is that you can still accept credit card payments for CBD on Shopify — the transactions simply need to run through an approved third-party provider built for high-risk products. If you're setting up a store that doesn't sell restricted products, our guide to Shopify merchant services covers the standard options; everything below focuses on what changes for CBD.

Shopify CBD Payment Processors: How Third-Party Gateways Work

To operate as a Shopify CBD business, you'll want a third-party gateway like PayKings that can provide the high-risk account you'll need. Choosing a CBD payment processor for your Shopify store comes down to two questions: how the gateway integrates with your checkout, and whether the processor's banks will actually underwrite CBD.

How a Shopify CBD Payment Gateway Connects to Your Checkout

The setup has three parts. You apply for a merchant account with a high-risk processor, an acquiring bank underwrites and approves the account, and the processor's gateway is then added to your Shopify store as a third-party payment provider. From your customer's perspective, checkout works the way it always does — behind the scenes, the transaction routes through a bank that has approved CBD sales. Once you're live, a portal through the bank shows all of your transactions and revenue flow.

What to Look For in a Shopify CBD Payments Provider

• CBD-friendly acquiring banks. A processor is only as useful as the banks behind it — look for one whose acquiring banks actually underwrite CBD merchants.
• Chargeback tools. High-risk verticals are watched closely for disputes, so built-in chargeback mitigation matters.
• Recurring billing support. If you plan to sell subscriptions of consumable products, confirm the gateway can handle recurring payments.
• Transparent reporting. You should be able to monitor transactions, refunds, and your number of chargebacks from a single portal.

PayKings specializes in exactly this kind of placement, working to match CBD merchants with acquiring banks that support the vertical.

How to Get a CBD Merchant Account for Shopify (Requirements & Timeline)

Whether you're looking for a general CBD merchant account for Shopify or specifically a Shopify merchant account for CBD oils and tinctures, the process is the same: application, underwriting, and approval. Gathering your documents up front is the best way to keep it moving.

Shopify CBD Merchant Account Document Checklist

The processing company will collect important information about your business. Expect to provide:

• Business and formation details, including how long you've been operating
• The state (or states) you operate in
• Estimated monthly sales volume
• Processing history and chargeback rates, if you've accepted payments before
• COAs showing THC below 0.3% for each product you sell
• Your store URL, since underwriters may review your site and request adjustments

Step 1: Application

Apply to receive a payment processing account. This entails filling out a general form and then adding details to a more thorough merchant application, where the processing company collects the information above — how long you've been operating, your chargeback rates, your state of operation, and how much sales volume you process per month.

Step 2: Underwriting

Once you have shared all of the necessary documents and company details, the bank will review your application. At this stage, underwriters may contact you and request adjustments to your site, or verification of documents such as COAs that show THC below 0.3%. Responding quickly is the easiest way to avoid delays.

Step 3: Approval

Once the bank approves your Shopify CBD account, you'll be able to start accepting payments. With your payment gateway integration and a portal through the bank, you can see all of your transactions and revenue flow, and monitor important details like your number of chargebacks and refunds.

Approval Timeline: What to Expect

There's no universal clock on CBD underwriting: timelines vary with the acquiring bank, how complete your paperwork is, and whether the underwriter requests site changes. Because high-risk reviews are more thorough than standard approvals, plan for a process measured in business days to a few weeks rather than instant activation — and build that buffer into your launch date.

One regional note: in Canada, the restrictions for CBD are a bit different, and this process may not apply. However, there are more opportunities for getting a cannabis merchant account in Canada according to its legal regulations.

How to Sell CBD on Shopify in 6 Steps

Here's the full path from idea to first sale, condensed:

• 1. Confirm CBD is legal where you'll sell. Check federal rules and the laws of every state you plan to ship to — consulting legal counsel is highly recommended.
• 2. Source compliant products. Stock hemp-derived products with less than 0.3% THC, and collect a COA for each one.
• 3. Build your store to Shopify's CBD policy. Disclose ingredients clearly, follow labeling requirements, and keep marketing claims within FDA limits.
• 4. Apply for a CBD merchant account. Submit your merchant application with business details, volume estimates, and COAs, then work with the underwriters.
• 5. Integrate your third-party payment gateway. Once approved, connect the gateway to your Shopify checkout so customers can pay by credit card.
• 6. Launch and monitor. Track chargebacks and refunds through your processing portal, and keep your documentation current as regulations change.

Types of CBD Products You Can Sell on Shopify

As long as each product is hemp-derived, tests below 0.3% THC, and is backed by a COA, Shopify stores can carry a wide range of CBD products:

• CBD oils and tinctures
• CBD gummies and edibles
• CBD for dogs, cats, and other pets — treats, pet tinctures, and topicals
• Concentrates
• Ointments and topicals
• Sprays and atomizers
• Capsules and pills
• CBD for vaping
• Creams and lotions
• CBD flowers

If you're specifically after a Shopify merchant account for CBD oils or for pet CBD products, they follow the same application, underwriting, and approval process as everything else on this list.

Final Thoughts on Selling CBD on Shopify

Selling CBD on Shopify is a lucrative opportunity, but it comes with unique challenges, especially in the areas of legal compliance and payment processing. By understanding Shopify's CBD selling policy rules, securing a reliable CBD merchant account, and integrating a third-party gateway built for high-risk transactions, you can succeed in the competitive CBD industry.

Remember, Shopify Payments won't carry this vertical — a robust third-party processor is the piece that makes everything else work. With the right approach and the right processing partner, your Shopify CBD store can thrive in this growing market.