Don’t let unexpected payment processor shutdowns or freezes bring your legitimate Kratom business to its knees.
If you are currently searching for a stable and reliable Kratom merchant account provider who understands your industry’s unique challenges, your search can end here.
Limitless Payment Solutions offers robust domestic and, where appropriate, offshore solutions tailored for Kratom businesses.
At Limitless Payment Solutions, we help you comply with current laws and get your Kratom business approved for a high-risk merchant account.
Start with us, not with fees
Available 24/7, Limitless Payment Solutions works tirelessly to help your Kratom business payment processing problems solved in a New York Minute.
Limitless Payment Solutions' vast network of different processors helps ensure we find you the perfect fit for your Kratom business account.
Rest assured that your online Kratom business won’t be suddenly shut down or taken offline.
Rapid dispute resolution mitigates chargeback risks, effectively protecting your business’s health.
Protect your investment and customers with Limitless Payment Solutions' fraud protection technology.
With nearly 20 years of experience in the credit card processing industry, Limitless Payment Solutions has provided holistic financial and business services for high-risk industries. We care about your business’s success and keep your business’s best interests at the center of everything we do.
Because of our experience and relationships with all of the major credit card processors, Limitless Payment Solutions can find you the fastest approvals or lowest rates while you get to focus on your Kratom business.
Kratom, scientifically known as Mitragyna speciosa, is a tropical evergreen native to Southeast Asia. For centuries, Kratom has been used in traditional medicine to relieve musculoskeletal pain, increase energy, appetite, and even heal wounds.
In the realm of payment processing, “high-risk” refers to businesses or entire industries that financial institutions perceive as having an elevated likelihood of financial loss. This perception can stem from various factors, including high chargeback volumes, an increased potential for fraud, uncertain regulatory environments, or potential reputational concerns for the acquirer.
For kratom businesses, several specific elements contribute to this classification:
One of the most significant factors is the complex and inconsistent legal status of kratom in the United States. Kratom is not federally regulated as a controlled substance; however, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) lists it as a “Drug and Chemical of Concern”.
Compounding this, state laws vary dramatically, with some states permitting sales (sometimes with age restrictions or under a Kratom Consumer Protection Act – KCPA), others imposing outright bans, and yet others having a patchwork of local county or city ordinances.
Legislative landscapes are also dynamic, with ongoing changes and new regulations being proposed or enacted, as seen with updates for 2025 in states like Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
This lack of uniform federal oversight, combined with the constantly shifting state-level legal landscape, creates substantial uncertainty for payment processors, making it difficult to ensure consistent compliance across all jurisdictions.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken a firm position on kratom, classifying it as an unapproved new dietary ingredient.
The FDA states that kratom is not lawfully marketed in the U.S. as a drug product, dietary supplement, or food additive, and warns consumers about potential adverse effects, including liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder, citing a lack of clinical trials proving efficacy and safety.
The kratom industry historically experiences higher rates of chargebacks.
Chargebacks can occur for various reasons, including customer disputes over product efficacy, issues with product quality, unrecognized transactions, or friendly fraud. The online-centric nature of many kratom sales can also contribute to this.
Due to the legal ambiguities, FDA warnings, and public perception issues often associated with kratom, many financial institutions perceive involvement with kratom businesses as a potential reputational risk.
Many kratom businesses, especially those new to the market, might initially consider using standard, low-risk payment processors like PayPal, Stripe, or Square due to their ease of setup and widespread recognition.
These mainstream processors typically have strict terms of service that explicitly prohibit businesses operating in industries they deem high-risk, and kratom almost invariably falls into this category.
Attempting to use these platforms for kratom sales often leads to severe consequences:
Unlike their low-risk counterparts, high-risk payment processors possess a deep understanding of the nuances and specific risks associated with the kratom industry.
Key advantages of partnering with a dedicated high-risk kratom merchant account provider include:
The right high risk merchant account acts as a buffer against many industry-specific financial and regulatory risks.
This partnership provides a foundational layer of stability and expert guidance, which is indispensable for the long-term viability and success of a kratom business in a demanding operational environment.
To facilitate a smooth and timely approval process, kratom businesses should be prepared to submit a range of documentation.
While specific requirements may vary slightly between processors, the following are commonly requested:
Kratom’s benefits range widely, from providing a much-needed energy boost to aiding with pain management and improving mood. Here are some of the ways people have experienced the benefits of Kratom:
Kratom’s legal status in the United States varies significantly by state and sometimes even by county or city. Federally, the United States does not currently classify kratom as an illegal substance, but it is considered a “drug and chemical of concern” by the FDA and DEA respectively.
Crucially, in 2019, the FDA warned consumers not to take kratom supplements, and it is illegal for businesses to market kratom for human consumption with unapproved health claims or to market its proposed benefits as a health supplement. Compliance with all federal and state regulations, including marketing guidelines from the American Kratom Association (AKA) if applicable, is paramount.
Many U.S. states have enacted or are considering laws restricting or regulating the sale and use of kratom. These laws are dynamic and subject to change.
As of our latest understanding (please verify independently for the most current information):
States where sales are generally illegal: Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin.
Jurisdictions with specific local bans or restrictions: This can include specific counties or cities even in states where Kratom is otherwise legal.
Age-restricted states: For example, Illinois (Over 18), Tennessee (Over 21). Additionally, laws are pending or under review in several other states, making the future of kratom legality a dynamic factor and a key reason why it’s considered high-risk by domestic banks. It is the merchant’s responsibility to ensure compliance with all local and state laws.
Kratom businesses require a high-risk merchant account primarily due to the industry’s regulatory ambiguity and perceived risks by financial institutions.
Key reasons include:
Varying and Evolving Legal Status: The inconsistent legal landscape across states creates uncertainty for processors.
Higher Potential for Chargebacks: Due to product scrutiny, customer expectations, or misunderstandings.
Reputational Risk for Banks: Financial institutions are often cautious about industries that attract regulatory attention.
FDA/DEA Stance: The positions of federal agencies contribute to the high-risk classification.
Working with a specialized high-risk merchant account servicer like Limitless Payment Solutions ensures a reliable processing solution designed for your Kratom business, minimizing the constant threat of account closure or payment interruption often experienced with standard, low-risk processors.
Yes, there may be restrictions on the types of Kratom products you sell or how they are marketed. These decisions are based on the legal framework and current regulations for the sale of Kratom in your state/jurisdiction and the specific policies of the acquiring bank and your payment processor. We work with you to understand these limitations.
For more information and a personalized assessment, speak with a Limitless Payment Solutions representative today.
We specialize in a wide array of high-risk industries. Our featured industry list provides some examples, but it is not exhaustive. We can often approve any legally operating business! Contact us to discuss your specific industry.
Domestic Kratom merchant account approval typically takes 24 to 48 hours after we receive all necessary paperwork and complete underwriting. The timeline can vary based on the complexity of your business and the completeness of your application.
Most high-risk processors, especially for industries like Kratom, ask for a rolling reserve. Typically, it is around 5% to 10%, though in rare cases, depending on processing history and other risk factors, there will not be any. This reserve is a percentage of your daily batch amounts withheld by the processor for a set period (e.g., 180 days) to offset the risk associated with the merchant account, primarily potential future chargebacks. The “rolling” part means that after the hold period, the initial funds are released back to you as new funds are withheld, creating a continuous reserve. Chargebacks are typically debited directly from your bank account. A reserve is a security measure for the processor in case of excessive chargebacks or account closure. We strive for transparency and will clearly explain any reserve requirements for your specific account.
Pricing for high-risk merchant accounts, including Kratom accounts, varies depending on several factors, such as your specific business model, processing volume, processing history (if any), and the overall perceived risk. Higher-risk accounts will generally have higher rates. Don’t be fooled by unrealistically low pricing advertised elsewhere, as these often come with hidden fees or unstable solutions. Please call us, and we can explain how some processors try to hide fees. Limitless Payment Solutions will always work to get the best possible and sustainable rate structure for you, with clear, transparent terms.