If you're planning to sell products online, getting your website live is an exciting step.
But if your business involves restricted or regulated items, there's something crucial you need to do first—otherwise, you could risk losing your ability to take payments entirely.
What Are “Restricted” Products?
Certain types of products are flagged by payment providers as higher risk. This doesn't mean you can't sell them—but it does mean you need approval first.
Common examples include:
- CBD products
- Supplements and health products
- Vaping and e-cigarettes
- Age-restricted goods
- Certain cosmetics or ingestibles
- Any product requiring licences or compliance checks
If you're unsure whether your products fall into this category, it's always best to check here: https://stripe.com/gb/legal/restricted-businesses
Why This Matters
Most ecommerce websites rely on payment providers like Stripe to take payments. What many business owners don't realise is:
Stripe can suspend or permanently close your account if you sell restricted products without approval.
That means:
- You could lose access to your funds
- Your website may no longer be able to take payments
- Reopening or appealing the decision can be difficult
This is one of the most common (and costly) mistakes we see when businesses rush to launch.
The Right Way to Do It (Step-by-Step)
Before you purchase your ecommerce website, you should get pre-approved by Stripe.
Here's how:
1. Create Your Stripe Account
Head over to Stripe and set up your account if you haven't already.
2. Contact Stripe Support
Reach out directly and explain:
- What products you plan to sell
- How your business operates
Be transparent—this helps avoid issues later.
3. Provide the Required Information
Stripe will typically ask for:
- A clear description of your products
- Business details (name, address, registration)
- Your website URL (or a temporary page)
- Fulfilment and delivery process
- Refund and returns policy
- Any licences or compliance documents (if required)
4. Wait for Approval
Once reviewed, Stripe will confirm whether you're approved to sell your products.
What Happens After Approval?
Once you've received confirmation, you're good to go.
At this point:
- Send proof of approval to the DotGO team
- We'll proceed with your Eccommerce website build
- You can launch with confidence, knowing everything is compliant
Not Sure If This Applies to You?
If you're unsure whether your products require approval, just ask.
Our team can quickly advise and point you in the right direction before you commit to anything.
