Does Shopify Allow Bongs to Sell? Rules & Guidelines

If you're thinking about starting an online smoke shop, you might be wondering: does Shopify allow bongs to sell online? The short answer is yes but there are some important rules to follow. Shopify is a great place to build a store, but smoking products like bongs come with extra guidelines.

There are a few requirements to sell on Shopify if your store includes bongs or similar items. You can sell these items through Shopify, but not with Shopify Payments, you’ll need a third-party payment provider. You’re also expected to be careful with how your items appear on your website, making sure everything looks professional and safe.

This guide covers all your questions, like: does Shopify allow bongs to sell and buy, or does Shopify allow bongs to sell in USA? Whether you’re selling in person at store or online, here’s what you need to know to get started the right way.

Does Shopify Allow Bongs to Sell?

So, can you sell bongs online? Yes, you can, as long as you follow the law and Shopify’s policies. You must sell them legally, which means your products must be allowed in your area and in the places you ship to. You’ll also need to make sure your customers are 21 or older before they can buy.

Requirements to Sell on Shopify

Shopify does allow the sale of bongs on Shopify’s websites , but it comes with strict regulations. Since bongs fall under the category of cannabis accessories or tobacco-related goods, Shopify mandates that sellers follow local regulations in addition to platform requirements.

The main requirements to sell on Shopify are as follows:

• Both your area and the areas where you ship must allow the selling of bongs.

• Make sure that only consumers who are at least 21 years old are able to buy these items.

• Health warnings regarding the use of tobacco or cannabis must be prominently included in all listings.

• Your business must only offer accessories since Shopify prohibits the selling of prohibited drugs.

Legal Considerations for Selling Bongs Online

• Researching local, state, and federal laws governing the sale of bongs is essential before launching your Shopify company.

• As long as bongs are marketed as tobacco accessories rather than expressly for cannabis use, several places permit their sale.

• In order to lawfully sell bongs, some establishments would need particular licenses or permissions.

• Infractions of local regulations might result in penalties, legal issues, or even the closure of your Shopify business.

• Seek legal advice from a specialist in cannabis and tobacco sales to stay out of trouble. 

Payment Processing Challenges

On Shopify, processing payments is a big problem for bong merchants. Although it permits the sale of bongs, the company's default payment method, Shopify Payments, does not permit transactions for high-risk products like smoking accessories. 

You will thus need to set up a different payment gateway, like:

• DigiPay

• eMerchant Broker

• Authorize.Net

In addition, well-known payment processors like PayPal and Stripe frequently forbid bong-related purchases. Make sure a payment gateway supports high-risk companies and permits sales of smoking accessories before selecting one.

Advertising Restrictions for Bong Shops

Due to major platforms' stringent advertising restrictions prohibiting smoking-related items, marketing a smoke shop online presents further difficulties.

Facebook ads and Google Ads: 

• Don't promote bongs and similar goods directly.

Instagram:

•  Due to content restrictions on Instagram , organic marketing is the most effective strategy.

SEO and Content Marketing: 

• The best methods to get clients are SEO and informative blog posts about smoking accessories.

Best Practices for Selling Bongs on Shopify

The following actions can help you stay compliant and enhance success:

• Only include smoking accessories that are legal; stay away from any terminology that implies unlawful usage.

•  To make sure age limitations are being followed, confirm the customer's age at checkout.

•  Look for a payment processor that will work with high-risk companies.

•  Utilize content marketing and SEO to increase visitors rather than paid advertisements.

•  To avoid store suspension, abide by Shopify's compliance guidelines.

Conclusion

We hope you got your answer to “Does Shopify Allow Bongs to Sell in the USA?”  Please note that to run a lucrative business, you should follow Shopify's guidelines, and follow the law. You can manage your business securely and efficiently by employing smart marketing and being informed.

Are you ready to start your online store for selling bongs through Shopify? Let Ecomx Agency help you build the perfect store that follows Shopify policies so that your business can grow online without any issues.