Firearms Payment Processing.
For Licensed Dealers.
Stripe, PayPal and Square prohibit firearms sales. Many dealers only find out when their account is closed mid-season. We match registered dealers, shooting suppliers and ammunition retailers with PSPs that explicitly accept them. Free to you.
Which payment processors accept firearms dealers? Not Stripe, PayPal or Square, which all prohibit firearms sales. Specialist PSPs accept licensed dealers that can show their registration, age checks and a compliant handover process. ICPay matches registered firearms dealers and shooting suppliers with those PSPs for free.
Last updated 15 October 2026
Why firearms dealers get shut out
Legal, licensed trade. Still declined. Processors cite reputational risk and the compliance work around age, licence and handover checks, and most simply opt out.
- Account closed mid-operation after an automated review
- Processors that "don't mention" firearms, until they do
- Accessories and clothing sales caught in the same ban as guns and ammunition
- Forced onto bank transfer and cash, losing online sales
What a firearms PSP will check
Have these ready before introduction. It's the single biggest factor in how fast you go live.
Dealer registration
UK: Registered Firearms Dealer (RFD) certificate from your police force. US: Federal Firearms Licence (FFL) where applicable.
Handover process
In Great Britain, air weapons sold by way of trade must be handed over face to face (Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006, s.32), in person or via another registered dealer.
Certificate checks
How you verify the buyer's firearm or shotgun certificate before supplying certificate-controlled items.
Age verification
Online and at handover. Underwriters want to see it built into checkout.
Product scope
What you sell: firearms, ammunition, air weapons, optics, accessories, clothing. Some PSPs accept part of a range only.
Company and director KYB
Incorporation documents, director and UBO ID and proof of address, 3 to 6 months of statements.
What firearms merchants typically pay
No PSP will quote before underwriting. Here's what to expect, so you can spot a bad offer.
| Term | Typical range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Card processing rate | Commonly 3% to 6% per transaction | Volume, ticket size and dispute history move this most. |
| Rolling reserve | Commonly 5% to 10%, held 90 to 180 days | Negotiable. Clean processing history is the fastest way to reduce it. |
| Chargeback ceiling | Visa: 1.5% (VAMP, from April 2026). Mastercard: 1.5% and 100+ chargebacks a month (ECM). | PSPs usually act before you hit these. Many intervene around 1%. |
| Time to live | Introduction within 48 hours. Onboarding typically 5 to 10 business days. | Complete documents on day one is the biggest time saver. |
| Merchant category code | Usually 5941 (Sporting Goods) or 5999 (Miscellaneous Retail). | The PSP must explicitly permit firearms, not just leave them unmentioned. |
Indicative market ranges from published industry sources, not a quote. Your terms depend on volume, history, chargeback ratio and jurisdiction.
How ICPay places firearms merchants
Applying direct vs going through ICPay
| Applying direct | Through ICPay | |
|---|---|---|
| Which PSPs | ✕ Whoever ranks on Google | ✓ PSPs that already accept firearms merchants |
| PSPs that don't take direct applications | ✕ No access | ✓ Included |
| Underwriting | ✕ Generic queue, no context | ✓ Briefed before the first call |
| If the first PSP says no | ✕ Start again | ✓ Alternatives ready |
| Cost to you | Your time | ✓ £0. We're paid by the PSP |
Firearms payment processing: FAQs
Does Stripe allow firearms sales?
No. Stripe, PayPal and Square all prohibit firearms sales in their policies. Many dealers find out when their account is terminated.
Can I take card payments online for guns and ammunition in the UK?
Yes, with a PSP that accepts firearms. Payment can be taken online, but supply of certificate-controlled items still requires certificate checks, and air weapons sold by trade must be handed over face to face.
Will a PSP accept accessories and clothing on the same account?
Usually yes. Tell us your full product range and we'll match you to a PSP that covers all of it.
Do you work with US FFL holders?
Yes. The PSP will ask for your FFL documentation where applicable, alongside standard KYB.
What does ICPay charge dealers?
Nothing. The PSP pays ICPay a commission after a successful introduction.
Get matched with a PSP that accepts firearms merchants
Six fields. No documents yet. We review your details and come back within 48 hours with next steps.
Other verticals we place
Already lost your processor? Read what to do in the first 48 hours.
Read the guideSources: Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006, s.32 (explanatory notes) · Convesio: Firearms payment processing