Vape & E-Cigarettes Merchant Accounts Processor & Gateway
Get a tailored e-cigarette and vape merchant account with dedicated solutions for e-cig merchant processing and other e-cig merchant services. At FastoPayments, we specialize in offering high-risk merchants like you a secure, reliable payment gateway for all your online vape business transaction needs.
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BENEFITS
What's Included In Our Vape & eCig Merchant Services
We handle over 1 million e-cigarette merchant processing transactions monthly worldwide. Wherever you operate from, we’ll provide you with safe and secure vape-specific high-risk merchant account that will take your business to the next level.
- A single e-cig merchant solution to centralize all your payment activities for comprehensive payment processing
- Top-notch vape merchant account services with a decades' worth of expertise in the industry
- VIP-level support accessible at all times via WhatsApp, live chat, and more
Vape & E-Cig Services for US & Europe Merchants
At FastoPayments, we’re committed to empowering vape, e-cigarette, and tobacco merchants in the US and Europe with superior payment solutions. Because we understand your industry’s unique challenges, we’ve been able to develop a specialized high-risk payment gateway tailored to meet all your smoke shop merchant account needs.
Deliver secure, dependable payment experiences to your customers globally while we handle the complexities of vape merchant services. Focus on growing your business and doing what you do best, knowing that FastoPayments is here to support you every step of the way.
Looking for a Specialized Smoke Shop Merchant Account?
Searching for a trusted vape merchant account provider? FastoPayments offers specialized merchant accounts designed specifically for e-cigarette and vape businesses, both online and offline.
Whether you operate an eCommerce platform or sell tobacco in a brick-and-mortar store, we’re here to support your business with reliable, secure payment solutions.
Request your free quote today to take the first step towards a seamless payment processing experience.
What Makes FastoPayments the #1 E-Cigarette & Vape Credit Card Processing Solution
We understand the complexities of the e-cigarette industry and the payment challenges faced by business owners like yourself. Our decades of experience in vape merchant services and other high-risk business sectors set us apart as a payment processor.
Don’t believe us? Here are a few more reasons why you should choose FastoPayments:
- Industry Experience: With 10+ years of experience, we’ve mastered the art of establishing strong relationships with acquiring banks that are well-versed in the high-risk nature of vape and e-cigs businesses.
- Reliable Merchant Accounts: We protect your e-cig and vape merchant account against sudden closures, suspensions, or terminations.
- Affordable and Transparent: Expect affordable fees, clear terms, and no hidden costs. Our chargeback support and fraud protection measures keep your transactions safe.
- 24/7 Customer Support: Our dedicated team is always available to assist you, ensuring you receive continuous support around the clock.
Advanced Features
- Fraud Protection: Utilize our advanced fraud prevention tools integrated into our user-friendly payment gateway. Customize filters to detect and manage suspicious activities effectively.
- Chargeback Alerts: FastoPayments’s chargeback alert system notifies you in real time to manage disputes promptly and reduce future chargeback rates.
- ACH/e-Check Processing: Expand your payment options with ACH/e-check processing, catering to customers who prefer bank payments or don’t use credit cards.
- Multi-Bank Processing: To mitigate risks of account closures, FastoPayments offers multi-bank processing, setting up multiple accounts to ensure seamless and uninterrupted payment processing.
Expanding Your Reach
The e-cigarette industry is booming, and with it comes the need for specialized payment solutions. FastoPayments leads the way, providing vape payment gateways and e-commerce solutions tailored to this dynamic market. Whether you’re a small local shop or a large online business, our flexible and secure payment solutions are designed to meet your specific needs. Benefit from improved cash flow management, reduced processing fees, and faster transaction speeds with FastoPayments’s dedicated support.
How to Apply for a High-Risk E-Cig & Vape Merchant Account
Applying for a high-risk e-cig and vape merchant account with FastoPayments is straightforward, but it’s important to understand what to expect during the application review to increase your chances of approval. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting your tobacco merchant account all set up.
1. Determine Your Needs
First, decide whether you need a local or worldwide solution for your vape or e-cigarette business, depending on where your customers are located.
2. Understand Pricing & Terms
Pricing and terms vary depending on whether you’re a startup or an established business. For startups, remember there’s usually a 10% rolling reserve as a security measure.
3. Prepare for Application Review
To get your vape merchant account application approved quickly, ensure all your documents are valid and truthful. Report any restrictions and provide legal documents like permits or licenses.
4. Apply with FastoPayments
We specialize in vape, smoke shop, and electronic cigarette merchant accounts. Reach out to our expert team to start your application.
5. Application Review
Underwriters will review your application and supporting documents to ensure you’re operating legally and assess your financial health.
6. Get Set Up & Start Processing!
Once your application is approved, we’ll help you set up your vape or e-cig merchant account. This includes integrating vape credit card processing and other merchant services into your website or app. Now, you’re ready to accept payments!
NO LIMITATIONS
Our Integrations
You’ll be well-connected to of the apps you know and love – even if you’re operating in a high-risk industry.
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YOUR QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an e-cigarette merchant account?
An e-cigarette merchant account, also known as a vape merchant account, allows vape and e-cigarette businesses to process and receive payments online for products and services. Think of it as a key tool for your business, allowing your customers to easily pay for their online purchases with credit or debit cards.
When you set up a vape merchant account with FastoPayments, you ensure that your e-shop can handle payments smoothly, safely, and securely. When a customer buys something, the payment goes through the vape merchant account first. Then, it’s transferred to your business account.
Having a vape merchant account is more than just a convenience; it’s a game-changer, especially with the growing e-cigarette industry and online shopping.
Why is vape and e-cigarette credit card processing defined as higih-risk?
The main reason why vape and e-cigarette businesses are labeled high-risk is the increased possibility of fraud and chargebacks. This means that sometimes, customers might dispute a charge after making a purchase, even if there was no actual issue with the transaction. Chargeback disputes occur when customers ask their credit card company to reverse a charge, often due to dissatisfaction or other issues.
What are the requirements for vape and e-cigarette merchant account services?
Setting up your smoke shop merchant account is a key step. Here’s what you need to get started:
- Essential documents: Gather your Incorporation Certificate, Memorandum & Articles of Incorporation, and a color passport for UBO/Shareholders/Directors.
- Proof of location: Provide a signed Office Lease Agreement or a recent Rental Invoice under your company’s name, not older than 90 days.
- Banking details: Submit a Business Bank Statement under your company’s name, showing IBAN and SWIFT, also not older than 90 days.
- Processing history (if available): If you have a processing history of the last 3-6 months, include it to show sales, refunds, and chargebacks. If not, a detailed business plan and cash flow forecast for at least one fiscal year will be needed.
- Additional verification: Utility bills (like electricity, gas, water) under the name of UBO/Shareholders/Directors, and proof of domain ownership are required.
- Local signatory: A KYC from a local signatory is necessary for vape/e-cigarette merchant accounts.
Remember, providing complete and accurate information from the start will speed up the approval process. Your e-cigarette business should be fully operational and compliant with all regulatory requirements. Missing information can delay the process, so it’s crucial to be thorough.
Why are vape and e-cig businesses considered high-risk, and what does that mean for my business?
Vape and e-cigarette businesses are often labeled as ‘high-risk’ due to various factors, making it challenging to find reliable and affordable payment solutions. But why is this the case, and what does it mean for your business? The e-cigarette industry, along with related fields like nutraceuticals, faces ongoing regulatory changes. This uncertainty makes banks and financial institutions cautious about providing services.
Moreover, these businesses often experience higher rates of chargebacks, where customers dispute a charge, leading to potential financial losses for merchants. If you partner with an unsuitable high-risk merchant account provider, you might inadvertently violate industry regulations. Such violations can lead to severe consequences like account closure, fund seizure, and loss of financial stability for your vape business.
To avoid pitfalls, choose a merchant account service provider like FastoPayments that understands the high-risk nature of your business.
What is a paraphernalia merchant account?
A paraphernalia merchant account is essential for businesses selling specific types of products like glass pipes, grinders, rolling machines, ashtrays, bongs, and water pipes. These items, often used as smoking accessories, place such businesses in the ‘high-risk’ category, especially when linked to the cannabis industry and CBD-based products.
Traditional financial institutions often hesitate to work with industries involved with products of this nature. This categorization makes it challenging for these businesses to find reliable and affordable payment processing solutions.
Fortunately, FastoPayments is here to provide you with a dedicated merchant account so your business can operate smoothly, securely, and without the fear of sudden financial disruptions.
What is a vape merchant account?
A vape merchant account is a dedicated high-risk merchant account designed to handle all kinds of online transactions for cigarette (or e-cigarette) businesses. It handles all kinds of credit and debit card processing for cigarette vape businesses. Such funds are typically transferred into the business’s account after complete processing.
What is a tobacco merchant account?
A tobacco merchant account enables businesses in the tobacco industry, including online retailers, cigar shops, and smoke shops, to set up a processing account. It’s designed to process payments efficiently, securely, and smoothly within the highly regulated sector of tobacco.
As tobacco retailers are considered high-risk by financial institutions due to age restrictions, trading regulations, and country-specific legal statuses of the products, a reliable and all-inclusive tobacco merchant account is an absolute must.
What are the different types of tobacco merchant accounts you can open?
The tobacco industry is divided into the following sub-categories:
Cigarettes: The classic cigarette is one of the more traditional categories of tobacco products, yet the distribution of cigarettes is still very regulated today. In the EU, for example, the packages must show clear health warnings and information on how to quit smoking.
Cigars: A cigar is a tobacco product traditionally consisting of a roll of tobacco wrapped in a tobacco leaf. As with cigarette distribution, cigar retailers must comply with the packaging regulations and report to EU countries on the specific ingredients used in the goods.
Smokeless: Smokeless tobacco goods include products that may be snuffed, chewed, or dipped. All the regulations that apply to cigarettes and cigars apply to smokeless products. Additionally, it’s important to know that any claims of a tobacco product being less harmful than others are prohibited as well.
Tobacco accessories: Cigarette papers, pipes, smoking materials, and other tools primarily designed to enhance the smoking experience are considered the accessories of tobacco. Gadgets made to “improve” the smoking experience aren’t as regulated as products that contain actual tobacco or nicotine but still require following rules such as packaging that doesn’t appeal to minors.
eJuices: The liquid used to fuel a vape or an e-cigarette is called eJuice, also known as e-liquid or vape juice. In many EU countries, trading flavored eLiquids or e-cigarettes is forbidden. Whereas some countries have allowed menthol and tobacco-flavored products on the market. This law came about after policymakers found that flavors play a big role in youth initiation and the overall attractiveness of tobacco products.
Each comes with unique challenges and restrictions. Classic cigarettes are less regulated than modern vapes, for example, because they’re different products with different components and ingredients.
What makes the tobacco industry high-risk for merchants?
Financial institutions classify the tobacco industry as high-risk because of factors like potential chargebacks, legal complexity, and people’s perception of the products involved. Thanks to these factors, financial institutions typically perceive financial transactions in this industry to pose greater risks, making it more challenging for traditional merchant accounts to want to cater to the industry.
Can I use a regular merchant account for my tobacco business?
Traditional merchant accounts typically shy away from handling smoke shop payment processing transactions because of the risks involved. So, it’s often difficult to find a regular merchant account that supports such transactions. However, there are specific e-cigarette merchant accounts like FastoPayments dedicated to handling efficient payments in this industry. Thus, e-cigarette merchants must find such accounts to process their day-to-day transaction demands.
Are there specific requirements for age verification with e-cigarette or tobacco sales?
Yes, different countries have different requirements for verifying age when it comes to tobacco or e-cigarette sales. For example, in many parts of the United States, it is illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 21. This is a strict liability offense, and tobacco businesses are held responsible for it in most countries. Therefore, online vape shops require age verification before customers can reach the checkout page on their websites.
Why can't I sell vapes on Shopify?
Technically, you can sell vapes on Shopify. However, it’s important to note that online e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce have strong regulations relating to tobacco and other vaping products. Therefore, it’s important to read all the laws and regulations relating to Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) before venturing into the business. Also, note that the laws may vary based on where your store is located and the regions you sell to.
Do payment platforms like PayPal or Stripe support vape or tobacco businesses?
Technically, payment gateways like PayPal or Stripe might work for a while. However, they aren’t the best options for merchants in this industry. Since they are not specialized high-risk merchant account providers, they do not fully understand the tobacco industry and can’t offer proactive solutions to issues.
Stripe, PayPal, and Venmo will not protect your vape business from common fraud threats like chargebacks, and any issues you have may lead to immediate account closure.
Also, customer care for e-cigarette and tobacco merchants using these platforms is pretty poor. Not only will the situation not be given due and timely attention, but it also will likely not be resolved in your favor in the end.
What actions can I take to deter chargebacks and fraud within my tobacco business?
You can deter fraud and chargeback within your tobacco business, but it takes strict measures. Some of the steps you can adopt include:
- Use a reputable and dedicated vape merchant account
- Adopt the right payment processing gateway technology
- Incorporate an address verification service to determine the correct address of users
- Verify cardholder information
Are there any legal constraints I should consider when selling tobacco and vape products?
Yes, there are legal constraints regarding the sale and distribution of tobacco and vape products in many countries. One of the most common constraints is age. Different countries have different age restrictions for selling tobacco products, and you must research these restrictions to avoid breaking the laws surrounding cigarette vape sales.
responsible for it in most countries. Therefore, online vape shops require age verification before customers can reach the checkout page on their websites.
How quickly can I start accepting payments with a tobacco merchant account?
The time it takes to verify your vape retail merchant account and start receiving payments typically varies based on the payment provider’s internal policies. While some tobacco merchant accounts require very minimal set-up time, others can take days or weeks of detailed verification and compliance checks to set up.
How long does it take to get approved for an electronic cigarette merchant account?
There’s no fixed time for the approval of an electronic cigarette merchant account. The time it takes depends on the e-cig merchant services you offer. Domestic vape merchant accounts typically take about 3-10 business days for complete verification. Offshore accounts take even longer, depending on the countries involved.
What are the standard fees related to electronic cigarette and tobacco merchant accounts?
The fees relating to electronic cigarette merchant accounts depend on the provider. However, the standard fees usually include transaction fees, chargeback fees, monthly account maintenance fees, and other additional fees. These fees may be a little higher than what you would get with traditional merchant accounts.
What types of vape and e-cig businesses do you accept?
FastoPayments offers a full spectrum of merchant accounts for tobacco, e-cig, and other types of vaping-related businesses. This includes e-cig, e-juice, smoke shops, vape pods, vapors, vaporizers, smoking lounges, and other related products. However, note that we won’t accept businesses that sell any kind of unauthorized smoke flavor.
Is FastoPayments compatible with my existing vape & e-cig POS or eCommerce platform?
Yes, FastoPayments is compatible with most existing vape & e-cig POS and eCommerce commercial businesses. As a leading online and e-commerce payment processor, we’re ready to support merchants that may have their preferred e-commerce and CRM platforms.
In which countries do you offer e-cigarette and tobacco merchant accounts?
At FastoPayments, we serve the US, UK, and European markets, including (but not limited to) countries such as:
- Spain
- Italy
- France
- Germany
- Portugal
- Denmark
- Sweden
- Greece
- Austria
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- More!
What is the best merchant account for vape shops?
There’s no one best merchant account when it comes to payment processing in high-risk industries like this one. Your choice should be based on what you want to get from the payment processor.
However, top payment processors like FastoPayments offer so many features and benefits that are hard to ignore. Before choosing a smoke shop payment processing platform, we recommend researching its features and legal issues to be sure it suits your business model.
