Stripe is one of the biggest payment processors around and for a good reason. It’s easy to scale, your developers probably know exactly what to do with it and pricing is simple and transparent. But Stripe doesn’t accept every business. In fact, there are businesses that are explicitly restricted from using Stripe.
Today, we show you what those businesses are and what to do if you belong to this group.
Tired of getting restricted by Stripe? Sign up for TailoredPay, a payment processing platform built for high-risk businesses like yours.
Which businesses are restricted by Stripe?
Stripe can restrict you for a variety of reasons. Here is a full list of businesses that they won’t accept:
| Business types | Classification | |
| Illegal or illicit goods and services | Illegal drugs and related equipment, items or services that violate local law | Prohibited |
| Adult content and adult services | Sexual services, escort services, sexually explicit content, including generated content, adult media | Prohibited |
| Financial products and services that require licensing | Debt relief, credit repair, lending services, brokerage services, money transmission, currency exchange, stored value credits | Prohibited or restricted depending on the region |
| Gambling and prize competitions | Online gambling, casino games, betting, lotteries, sweepstakes, prize competitions, bidding fee auctions | Prohibited |
| Weapons and hazardous materials | Firearms, ammunition, weapon parts, conversion kits, certain knives, explosive or highly dangerous materials | Prohibited |
| Counterfeit goods and intellectual property violations | Counterfeit items, unauthorised sale of branded products, distribution of media or software without rights, illegally imported goods | Prohibited |
| Regulated medical and wellness products | Online pharmacies, prescription-only items, regulated medical devices, telemedicine, tobacco, e-liquid, CBD products above legal limits, unsafe nutraceuticals | Restricted |
| Platforms that handle user generated content | Marketplaces or platforms that host or distribute user content, tipping platforms, crowdfunding platforms, dating services, file sharing services | Restricted |
| Digital assets and virtual currency | Cryptocurrency exchanges, wallets, mining, staking, NFT marketplaces, sales of virtual game currency, unless the seller is the game operator | Restricted |
| Travel and timeshare services | Travel clubs, reservation services, timeshares, and advance travel arrangements that carry elevated risk | Restricted |
| Region-specific restrictions | Business categories that are prohibited or restricted based on local regulations within the country where the account is registered | Prohibited or restricted |
What is the difference between being restricted and prohibited by Stripe?
Prohibited businesses cannot use Stripe under any circumstances. Stripe will not approve the account, and if the business activity is discovered later, the account will be closed. There is no path to approval, even with documents or licenses.
On the other hand, restricted businesses may use Stripe, but only if they meet strict requirements.
Stripe will review the business case, request licenses, compliance documentation, risk-mitigation measures, and may apply higher scrutiny or limitations.
Stripe may approve or deny a restricted business depending on:
- Your country
- Type of Stripe product
- Compliance and risk profile
- Proper licensing or certifications
- How you operate the business
What to do if your business is restricted by Stripe
If Stripe won’t let you use their payment processing services, this is not the end of the world. There are plenty of things you can do, and here is where to start.
1. Read Stripe’s restricted list carefully
Identify which exact category applies to you. Stripe’s review is much smoother when you clearly match your activity to their terminology.
2. Prepare documentation in advance
Stripe usually asks for proof that you operate legally and safely. Common documents include:
- Business registration documents
- Any required government licenses or industry certifications
- Proof of product safety, lab results, dosage limits, or ingredient lists
- Clear refund and customer support policies
- A working website that accurately describes your services
The more complete your documentation, the faster the approval.
3. Make your website compliant
Before applying, make sure your website clearly shows:
- What you sell
- Who the service is for
- Safety or legal disclaimers
- Privacy policy
- Terms of service
- Refund and cancellation policies
- Contact information
Stripe heavily relies on your site to understand the risk profile, so make it easy for them to see what’s what.
4. Be transparent when applying
Do not try to hide or soften what you do. Stripe rejects more applications due to vagueness than due to the actual industry.
Tell them exactly:
- What you sell
- Who uses it
- How it is delivered
- What legal permissions you hold
5. Expect a manual review
Restricted businesses undergo additional human checks. This can include:
- Email questions
- Requests for more documents
- Verification of product legality in your region
- A review of customer complaints if your business already operates
This is normal and nothing to be afraid of.
6. Plan for possible processing limits
Stripe may approve you, but add:
- Volume caps
- Reserving a percentage of your funds
- Delayed payouts
- Additional monitoring
These limits are usually removed after a positive track record.
7. Consider switching to a provider that specializes in higher-risk categories
Even if Stripe approves you, restricted businesses often face account freezes, payout delays, or sudden terminations. TailoredPay is built specifically for businesses that operate in categories Stripe flags as higher risk.
You get direct support, stable underwriting, and payment processing that does not suddenly shut you down when your volume grows or your chargeback rate fluctuates. If you want consistency and room to scale, TailoredPay is the safer long-term option.