If you sell peptides online, your merchant account approval depends on two things: (1) documentation that proves your business is legitimate and stable, and (2) a website/policy setup that reduces disputes and compliance risk.
This guide breaks down what underwriters typically expect—and how to present your business in a way that makes approval smoother.
1) Business Requirements Underwriters Look For
A real, verifiable business entity
Underwriters want to confirm you're operating as a legitimate business—not a temporary storefront. That usually starts with business formation details and verifiable ownership.
Operational stability
Banks want confidence that you can fulfill orders, support customers, and handle refunds. If your model looks unstable (slow shipping, unclear fulfillment, or inconsistent policies), risk goes up.
Predictable processing profile
Approvals are easier when you can clearly explain: monthly volume, average ticket size, refund expectations, and how you manage fraud and disputes.
2) Documents Commonly Required for a Peptide Merchant Account
Exact requirements can vary, but most underwriting reviews include some combination of the following. The best move is to have them ready from day one so your application doesn't stall.
Identity & business formation
- Owner/officer ID (government-issued)
- Business formation documents (LLC/Corp filing)
- EIN confirmation (or equivalent)
- Ownership details (who owns what percentage)
Financial verification
- Business bank statements (often recent months)
- Voided business check (for settlement setup)
- Processing statements (if you've processed before)
Fulfillment and supply chain clarity
- Supplier/fulfillment details (how product is sourced and shipped)
- Shipping timelines and tracking practices
- Support workflow (how customers reach you and how quickly you respond)
If you have prior processing history, providing a recent statement helps underwriting evaluate your actual risk profile. It can also help Unison recommend the best-fit program for your volume and ticket size.
3) Website Requirements: What Your Site Must Include
Underwriters review your website like a customer would—then they ask, "Will customers understand what they're buying, and will disputes be manageable?"
Must-have policy pages
- Refund/return policy (clear timeframes and conditions)
- Shipping policy (processing time, delivery estimates, tracking)
- Terms & conditions (billing terms, limitations, customer responsibilities)
- Privacy policy (data handling and basic compliance expectations)
Must-have trust and contact signals
- Visible contact info (email and/or phone + support pathway)
- Business name consistency across site and checkout
- Clear product details (what the customer receives, quantities, expectations)
Language consistency and risk reduction
High-risk underwriting is sensitive to how products are described. Inconsistent, exaggerated, or unclear language raises risk. Consistency across your homepage, product pages, blog content, and FAQs helps reduce underwriter uncertainty.
For a stable setup designed for high-risk categories, see Unison's high-risk merchant accounts. For peptide-specific considerations, read our guide on high-risk merchant accounts for peptide companies.
4) Processing Setup Requirements: Gateway, Fraud Tools, and Descriptors
Payment gateway built for high-risk acceptance
A capable gateway lets you tune fraud settings so you don't accidentally block legitimate customers. Explore Unison's payment gateway options for ecommerce and high-risk categories.
Fraud filters that improve approvals
- AVS + CVV enforcement
- Velocity rules (attempt limits per IP/card/email)
- IP/device checks to catch repeat abuse
- 3DS where it makes sense (often for higher-risk segments)
Billing descriptor that customers recognize
A major driver of "friendly fraud" is customers not recognizing the charge. Make your descriptor align with your brand/store name so customers connect the transaction to your business immediately.
5) Approval Tips That Make Underwriting Easier
- Be accurate about volume: don't understate or guess—misalignment triggers reviews later
- Keep fulfillment tight: faster shipping + tracking reduces disputes
- Make policies obvious: if customers can't find policies, they dispute
- Use proactive support: make it easier to contact you than to file a chargeback
- Plan for growth: scaling is safer when underwriting expectations match reality
Unison can review your website, documents, and processing profile and tell you what to fix before submission—so you avoid delays and reduce decline risk.