Payment Processing for Bongs | High Wire Payments
Payment Processing for Bongs (2025 Guide)
Selling bongs online or in a smoke shop? You need a high-risk merchant account built for glassware. Here’s how to get approved — without getting shut down by Stripe, PayPal, or Square.
Why Bong Sales Are High-Risk
- Paraphernalia laws: Even if you label your products “for tobacco use only,” bongs are often flagged as drug-related.
- Federal vs. state conflict: Cannabis is still illegal federally — so glassware linked to it becomes risky for banks and processors.
- Chargeback risk: Headshops experience above-average chargeback rates, especially online.
- Reputational risk: Mainstream processors like Stripe, Square, and PayPal avoid “vice” industries.
Why Stripe and PayPal Shut Down Bong Stores
Even legal smoke shops often get banned from Stripe, Square, and PayPal due to:
- Listing “bongs,” “pipes,” or “dab rigs” on product pages
- Shipping to states with stricter paraphernalia laws
- Too many refunds, disputes, or fraud reports
- Failing to disclose your business type during onboarding
Once you’re shut down, you’re blacklisted across their ecosystem — and your funds may be held for up to 180 days.
What You Need Instead
- High-risk merchant account: A real MID through a U.S. bank that allows bong sales
- Gateway like NMI or Authorize.net: Connects to your eCommerce store without flagging “bong” or “glass” keywords
- Age verification: Ensure compliance with 21+ tobacco sale regulations
- Transparent descriptors: Avoid chargebacks by being clear on statements and policies
Can You Sell Bongs Online in 2025?
Yes — but only if your payment processor supports it.
Don’t try to sneak bongs past Stripe or Shopify Payments. Instead, work with a processor that specializes in headshops, CBD, hemp, and alt lifestyle brands. They’ll help you get approved without risking shutdowns.