Can People Use Shopify to Sell Peptides? A Legal & Compliance Guide

15-Second Summary:

Shopify, despite being a dominant e-commerce platform, does not allow the sale of peptides on its platform or through Shopify payments.

Although widely used as an ecommerce store platform in the US, Shopify still prohibits the sale of peptides as of 2025.

Ergo, in this blog post, we will elaborate on can people use Shopify to sell peptides, how FDA regulations prohibit their distribution, what legal challenges may arise if someone attempts to sell peptides on Shopify, and what best practices can be employed for selling peptides online.

Introduction

Shopify is one of the most widely used e-commerce platforms globally, boasting a large user base in the US. Almost 57.7% of Shopify domains are registered within the US, indicating that more than half of Shopify users are based in the US, making the US the largest market for the e-commerce platform.

Peptides have emerged as a growing niche and a product category in the ecommerce industry. 

Peptides are of interest to fitness enthusiasts, the anti-aging products industry, and the field of biomedical research. 

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that serve as building blocks for proteins and play vital roles in many biological processes. Their ability to influence functions like hormone regulation, tissue repair, and muscle growth has made them increasingly popular for performance enhancement, anti-aging, and research applications.

Despite increased interest in peptide usage, many peptides in the United States remain unapproved by the Food and Drug Administration for any form of human use. These have been classified as research-only chemicals.

Due to the strict regulations around peptides, there are legal restrictions for online sellers, especially those on the Shopify Platform. 

Any Shopify store that sells and markets peptides with their implied health benefits without providing trigger warnings or disclaimers about them being for non-human use may face strict FDA actions, FTC warnings, and potentially have their Shopify platform permanently banned. 

Although peptides seem like a promising revenue-generating stream, without knowledge of compliance with policies surrounding their online sale, entrepreneurs could land in legal complexities. 

In this blog post, we will expand on Shopify’s policies regarding peptides, FDA regulations, alternative platforms for selling peptides, and compliance best practices to help you evaluate the question: Can people use Shopify to sell peptides?

A concise and straightforward answer to the question: Can people use Shopify to sell Peptides? It’s a big No!

Shopify openly prohibits the sale of peptides on its platform. 

Shopify does not allow the selling of some products, strictly including:

• Online pharmacies and prescription-only products
• Peptides and research chemicals
• Nutraceuticals 
• Pseudo-pharmaceuticals
• Products claiming to have therapeutic benefits

When it comes to peptides, Shopify prohibits all types of peptides, whether they are dietary supplements or research compounds. 

Due to the potential high-risk nature of these products and the associated regulatory complexities, Shopify takes a strict stance on stores attempting to sell them on the platform. 

This prohibition applies specifically to Shopify Payments and the Shop sales channel. However, it may also extend to the entire platform if Shopify enforces its terms of service on a case-by-case basis.

2025 Repercussions of Selling Peptides on Shopify

There can be severe consequences for attempting to sell peptides on the Shopify platform.

• Shopify actively monitors stores to check if they sell prohibited products, and upon finding any store doing so, it will shut down their stores without any warning.
• Suppose a store is not caught in the screening process. In that case, Shopify’s payments system will flag any transactions related to peptides, which could result in their payments being held or even their accounts being terminated.
• Upon finding a store trying to sell these products despite warnings, it could get permanently banned from the platform, with restrictions on creating any new account with Shopify.
• Shopify can also freeze your account funds while investigating your store, which could cause cash flow problems for your business.
• Even if you attempt to circumvent the platform by using third-party payment gateways, Shopify’s terms of service still prohibit peptide sales, rendering any workaround a violation of their policies.

Legal Landscape for Selling Peptides in the USA

Since Shopify has the largest market share in the US, this is another reason why the Shopify platform adheres to the restrictions on peptide sales. 

As an entrepreneur, especially if you are based in the US, understanding the legal landscape for selling peptides is crucial for your business.

According to FDA regulations until 2025, several peptide-related products have been banned, with only a few approved by the FDA, which are also not allowed to be sold online.

• Most peptides, especially GLP-1 analogues such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, are considered unapproved drugs by the FDA and are not classified as dietary supplements.
• During 2024-2025, the FDA issued multiple warning letters to companies like USAPEPTIDE for selling the peptides labeled as “Research use only”. According to the FDA, these products were being promoted for human consumption, which is why the warning was issued.
• Many products that were previously allowed under the FDA’s 503A compounding exception were removed by the end of 2024, and their online distribution was put on hold. 
• Based on FDA enforcement, states such as New York and New Jersey will require parental consent and age verification for the sale of peptides, signaling the growing trend of sub-federal regulation.
• The only drugs with formal FDA approval are permitted to be sold. These include products like bremelanotide (for sexual dysfunction) or tesamorelin (for HIV-related fat redistribution). However, these can only be sold through pharmacies with a license and to individuals with a valid prescription, and not on any e-commerce platform, such as Shopify.
• Since Shopify prohibits the sale of peptides in its prohibited products policy, even peptides approved by the  FDA cannot be sold on Shopify.

Challenges of Selling Peptides on Shopify

Although restricted for sales, attempting to sell peptides on Shopify may present particular challenges. 

• You won’t be able to use Shopify payments for selling peptides, and using third-party payment processors will incur high fees with associated risks.
• You will not be able to advertise on platforms like Facebook and Google, which restrict ads for peptides.
• If found selling peptides, Shopify may ban or suspend your store without warning.
• Sellers label peptide products as supplements by mistake, or even if they are making any intentional or unintentional health claims about them, this could result in not only a Shopify ban and suspension but also lead to regulatory action by the FDA or state authorities.
  
• If Shopify suspects you’re selling prohibited items, they may hold your payouts for investigation, which could cause cash flow delays impacting your business financially.

Alternative Platforms and Payment Solutions

There are alternative platforms and payment solutions that can aid individuals looking to sell peptides online.

• You can use ecommerce platforms like WooCommerce. This is a self-hosted platform that provides full customization and flexibility for selling regulated products.
• Platforms like BigCommerce and Shift4Shop enable the sale of nutraceuticals, but you may need to utilize third-party payment setups.
• Some payment gateway recommendations include SanctusPay, Corepay, and PayCompass, along with the compliance plugins such as Token of Trust that support age gating and geographic restrictions.

Despite having alternatives, you must consider the FDA regulations and the well-being of people before making any claims or sales.

Pros And Cons Of Using Alternatives for Selling Peptides Online

There are a few pros and cons that we would like you to be aware of if you are considering using alternative platforms or payment gateways to sell peptides on Shopify or any other online e-commerce platform.

Pros of Using Alternatives for Selling Peptides Online

• Enabling peptide sales online.
• Reductions in Shopify restrictions when using different payment gateways.

Cons of Using Alternatives for Selling Peptides Online

• Higher fees for processing the sales.
• Strict KYC.
• Compex onboarding.

Best Practices for Marketing and Compliance in 2025

We have established best practices to assist you with marketing compliance for peptides in 2025.

• Do not make any medical claims unless the FDA approves of them.
• Utilize third-party compliance plugins, such as Token Of Trust, particularly in states like New Jersey and New York, for verifying age and location using IP data.
• Display third-party lab results and Certificates of Analysis to support product transparency.
• Cite studies, facts, and produce educational content including safety and usage, industry news, and usage guides around the peptides you are selling, and avoid making therapeutic claims.
• Use Proper Disclaimers with your marketing, like: 
• These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
• “For research purposes only” (if applicable).
• Age restriction warnings.
• Have a legal advisor and maintain documentation to stay ready for FDA store audits.

Final Remarks

Although the answer to the question, Can people use Shopify to sell peptides? It is a strict No! However, this does not mean that the peptide market is not accessible to entrepreneurs online. 

Shopify prohibits the sale of peptides due to strict regulations surrounding their use and online selling practices. 

To sell peptides online in 2025, entrepreneurs can:

• Use alternative e-commerce platforms designed for high-risk products
• Opt for specialized payment processing solutions.
• Incorporate third-party payment gateways with Shopify.
• Maintain strict compliance with FDA and state regulations.
• Implement age verification and customer screening processes, particularly in states such as New Jersey and New York.
• Avoid marketing strategies that make unsubstantiated health claims.

We recommend that entrepreneurs consult a legal advisor specialized in FDA regulations, utilize compliance platforms and payment gateways that specialize in high-risk product compliance, and continually monitor upcoming updates from the FDA and Shopify. Additionally, it is essential to test new tools and prioritize compliance from the outset.

If you liked this post and wish for more useful Digital Advice, do not forget to come back to our website for more information, as we keep updating with recent updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is selling peptides on Shopify legal?

No, selling peptides on Shopify is prohibited, and doing so could result in your store being suspended or banned without warning.

What payment gateways support peptide sales?

 High-risk payment gateways, such as Corepay, SanctusPay, and PayCompass, specialize in high-risk transactions. However, using these does not guarantee a safe peptide-selling experience without penalties from Shopify or the FDA if your store gets flagged for selling peptides.

Do I need to verify the age of customers for peptide sales?

Yes. Many states now require age verification, especially for peptides with performance-enhancing effects.

Is Shopify responsible for the FDA compliance of my store?

No, Shopify will not be responsible. Shopify only provides you with the platform to sell products, and leaves FDA and regulatory compliance entirely to the merchant. You will be legally liable for all products and claims on your store.

What happens if Shopify flags my store for selling peptides?

You could face immediate product removal, payment holds, or permanent store termination. 

Do Shopify’s restrictions apply to dropshipping peptides?

Yes, Shopify also prohibits the sale of peptides through dropshipping. You cannot sell peptides either if you are holding the inventory yourself or through any other suppliers. Even dropshipping on Shopify for peptides could result in the suspension or ban of your store. 

What alternatives to Shopify are peptide sellers using in 2025?

Sellers are migrating to platforms like WooCommerce, Shift4Shop, or BigCommerce that support high-risk payment processors.

How can I stay updated on Shopify’s policies and FDA guidance?

You can monitor Shopify’s policy updates, the FDA’s newsroom, and the FTC Health Claims Blog, and also consider setting Google Alerts for peptides FDA 2025.