Running an online store on WooCommerce can be a powerful way to sell niche health products like supplements or CBD, but it also comes with a critical hurdle: securing a reliable high-risk payment gateway. These kinds of products are often labeled as “high-risk” by traditional financial institutions due to regulatory challenges, product nature, or chargeback vulnerabilities. As a result, regular payment processors like Stripe and PayPal may not support your WooCommerce store if you’re selling such items.
This is where high-risk payment gateways come into play. These specialized processors understand the nuances of the supplements and CBD industries and provide tailored solutions to help you operate your online store smoothly and legally.
Why Are Supplements and CBD Considered High-Risk?
Even though both supplements and CBD products are legal in many regions, they are still considered high-risk for several reasons:
- Regulatory Uncertainty: CBD laws and supplement regulations vary from country to country, and even between U.S. states.
- Higher Chargebacks: These industries often face customer disputes due to product expectations or misunderstood benefits, increasing the risk to processors.
- Marketing Restrictions: Promoting health benefits can lead to compliance issues with advertising platforms and credit card networks.
Due to these factors, standard payment solutions often steer clear, leaving merchants to explore high-risk gateways specialized in such industries.
Top High-Risk Payment Gateway Options for WooCommerce
Here’s a list of some of the most reliable and reputable high-risk payment gateways that integrate well with WooCommerce for supplement and CBD online shops:
1. Easy Pay Direct
Easy Pay Direct is widely recognized for its EPD Gateway platform, which is purpose-built for high-risk businesses. It offers:
- Direct integration with WooCommerce
- Access to a wide network of high-risk acquiring banks
- Split-testing capabilities to compare multiple merchant accounts
- Chargeback prevention tools
It’s ideal for CBD and supplement businesses that are scaling quickly and need robust, scalable infrastructure.
2. NMI (Network Merchants Inc.)
NMI provides a flexible gateway platform that partners with several high-risk merchant account providers. It’s known for:
- Seamless WooCommerce plugin support
- Compatibility with multiple processors, offering more options
- Custom payment pages and tokenized transactions for security
With NMI, you’re essentially getting a middle-layer solution that can connect your store to many merchant services, making it ideal if you’re experimenting with different providers.
3. SMB Global
SMB Global is another leading high-risk payment processor, offering payment solutions specifically for eCommerce businesses that sell nutraceuticals, supplements, and CBD. Highlights include:
- Customized WooCommerce integration help
- High-risk merchant account setup included
- International processing options—very helpful for non-US businesses
They also offer ACH and eCheck services, giving you more flexibility in how you can accept payments.
4. Authorize.Net (via High-Risk Merchant Providers)
While Authorize.Net itself is technically a low-risk processor, it can be used for high-risk transactions when configured through specialized merchant providers. Benefits include:
- Familiar and easy-to-use dashboard
- Pre-existing WooCommerce plugins
- Advanced fraud-detection suite (AFDS)
This option is best for merchants who want a trusted name alongside high-risk capability and can stomach slightly higher setup times because of added scrutiny from merchant account partners.
5. Soar Payments
Soar Payments is a boutique provider focused specifically on U.S. businesses in niche markets like CBD and dietary supplements. Their strengths include:
- Fast approval process (often less than 72 hours)
- Strong existing relationship with acquiring banks for CBD
- Support for recurring billing and subscriptions
They work well with WooCommerce and offer premade plugins and step-by-step tutorials, which is ideal for newer merchants setting up their first store.
Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Gateway
Not all gateways are created equal. When evaluating which high-risk payment gateway is right for your WooCommerce store, keep the following criteria in mind:
- Integration: Does the gateway offer a plugin or simple integration support for WooCommerce?
- Fees: High-risk processors charge more—expect monthly fees, setup costs, and per-transaction charges between 3–8%.
- Customer Support: Especially in a high-risk category, responsive and knowledgeable support is essential.
- Chargeback Protection: How well does the provider help prevent and manage customer disputes?
- Transparency: Are the contract terms clear, with no hidden fees or early termination penalties?
How to Get Approved for a High-Risk Merchant Account
Getting approved for a high-risk payment gateway requires a more detailed application process than a low-risk alternative. Here’s how to improve your chances:
- Provide Detailed Business Info: Include your business model, product details, and supply chain information.
- Have a Solid Website: Ensure that your WooCommerce store looks professional and transparent. Include privacy policies, terms of service, refund details, and age verification if applicable.
- Show Compliance: For CBD, present testing certifications, FDA disclaimers, and product labeling compliance. For supplements, ensure your health claims are backed by reliable data and clearly disclaim where necessary.
- Open a Business Bank Account: This helps legitimize your operations when submitting to processors.
Being upfront and thorough during the application process often pays off with faster approvals and better payment terms.
Final Thoughts
Launching a WooCommerce store that sells supplements or CBD can be lucrative, but choosing the right high-risk payment gateway is crucial for your long-term success. Fortunately, the industry now has a variety of trusted providers that understand the specific challenges merchants in this space face.
Whether you’re a startup experimenting with your first CBD topical product or a growing supplement brand dealing with subscription sales, a good payment gateway ensures your checkout process is smooth, secure, and compliant. Do your due diligence, weigh all the pros and cons, and choose a provider that fits both your current and future business goals.
