Getting approved for a CBD merchant account in the USA is not as easy as just filling out an application form and hoping that everything will work out best for you. You will have to think strategically and work with financial partners that specialize in supporting merchants from high-risk industries. You will have to work with providers that truly understand the intricacies of state and federal hemp laws.
The CBD industry is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, but it is still scrutinized heavily by sponsor banks and payment processors because of factors such as the complex regulatory environment and the associated health claims.
To increase the chances of your account approval, it is important for you to appear less risky on paper. Make sure that you are prepared with the following before making an application for a CBD merchant account in the USA.
Valid COAs (Certificates of Analysis):
Payment processors need assurance that your product is tested and is verified by third-party labs, and that is why you will have to produce the certificate of analysis of every product that you sell. The COA should display cannabinoid profiles, including THC levels below the 0.3% legal threshold.
CBD Product & Lab Testing Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| COAs (Certificates of Analysis) | Third-party lab-tested, dated, and batch-specific |
| THC Content | Must be ≤ 0.3% THC to comply with federal law |
| Clear Cannabinoid Profile | Display CBD content, no misleading data or inflated percentages |
| No Restricted Products | Delta-8, Delta-10, HHC, or synthetic cannabinoids may cause quick denial |
Transparent Product Labels & Descriptions:
Review your complete website and make sure that you remove any health claims, such as that your product cures anxiety or treats pain. Make sure that you put factual descriptions about your products. Underwriters prefer to work with businesses that love clarity and want to comply with the regulations. Remember, underwriters hate liability, and if your website makes any health claim, then it will increase credit risk and other potential liabilities for the payment processor.
A Compliant, Professional Website:
Your website should be fully ready, and it should have some natural organic traffic if you are a Startup. Make sure that your website has important pages such as terms and conditions, privacy policy, and refund policy. It should have a verification popup for individuals 21 years and older. All the pages on your website, including the checkout page, must load on https. Make sure your site has a valid SSL certificate. To further improve the chances of your account approval, you should display the related COA next to each product that you are selling on your website.
Website & Marketing Compliance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| SSL Certificate | Secure checkout (HTTPS) is mandatory |
| Legal Disclaimers | “FDA Disclaimer,” age restrictions, and terms of use |
| Clear Return/Refund Policy | Transparent, user-friendly, and visible in footer |
| Privacy Policy & Terms of Service | Must be accessible from every page |
| Age Verification Popup | Require confirmation of 18+ or 21+ upon site entry |
| No Medical Claims | Avoid words like “cures,” “treats,” “prevents,” or “diagnoses” |
Business Bank Account in the U.S.
If you want to process payments on your CBD websites for your US based company, then you must have a US based business bank account under the same company name. Sometimes even if you are approaching a Offshore CBD payment processor, they will still require you to have a US based bank account for making the settlements. The bank account should have the ability to make and receive ACH payments.
U.S. Entity & EIN Number:
You will need a US legal entity; this can be an LLC or a corporation or any other business structure. Remember, having a valid EIN is non-negotiable for any legitimate CBD merchant account approval.
List of Business Documentation For CBD Merchant Account In US
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| U.S. Entity Formation | LLC, Corporation, or Partnership registered in a U.S. state |
| EIN (Employer Identification Number) | Issued by IRS – Required for tax and banking purposes |
| Business Bank Account (U.S.-based) | Must match your business legal name |
| Valid Government ID | Passport or Driver’s License of the company signatory |
| Utility Bill / Proof of Address | For both business location and owner |
Why QuadraPay is Your CBD Compliance Wingman
Sometimes getting a CBD merchant account in the US may appear like running the obstacle course blindfolded, and that is where QuadraPay comes into the picture. We get you matched with domestic and offshore payment processors that actually work with CBD businesses.
Will help you prepare your KYC and KYB package so that you improve your chances of account approval. If you want, we can also review your website and suggest to you content changes. We have the capability of offering CBD merchant accounts that work well with various content management systems such as Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and custom platforms. You will also be able to set up recurring billing with full chargeback mitigation support.
Get Started Now: Accept CBD Payments in the U.S. with Confidence
Whether you sell tinctures, gummies, skin care creams, or pet CBD products, QuadraPay can be your strategic partner in getting you approved fast for secure solutions. We have helped US based CBD businesses from startups to big brands. Get get in touch with us today to accept credit cards, ACH, e-checks, and alternative payments without headaches.
“In regulated industries, compliance isn’t just a checkbox; it’s your competitive advantage.”