Get approved for a high risk merchant account.
High risk doesn't have to mean hard to approve. Durango Merchant Services helps you see where your business is strong and where it needs support, then works with you to strengthen your application and give you the best chance of getting approved for high risk credit card processing. You're in experienced hands from your first question to your first transaction.
Approvals in as little as 24 hours on business days when your file is ready. Or call (866) 415-2636.
What is a high risk merchant account?
A high risk merchant account is a dedicated credit card processing account for businesses considered more likely to have chargebacks, fraud or regulatory problems, such as supplements, travel, subscriptions or a business with a past shutdown. It gets a closer review before it's set up, and may carry a rolling reserve. In return, the account is in your name, so it doesn't disappear when a payment platform changes its rules. Any high risk business, from e-commerce stores to subscription and phone-order companies, can use one for dependable high risk payment processing.
High risk merchant services at DMS: key facts
Updated November 2026- Approval
- As little as 24 hours
On business days when your file is ready. Most accounts take 1–3 business days; complex accounts 3–5.
- Pricing
- 1.95%–4.95%
Plus $0.15–$0.25 per authorization. Chargeback fees $15–$25.
- Rolling reserve
- 5%–10% typical
Held 90–180 days. Higher after a shutdown or termination.
- Minimum processing
- $5,000 / month
For U.S. accounts; $50,000 for international accounts.
- Chargeback limit
- Under 5%
Measured over 3 months, fraud included. At 5% or higher we can't take you on.
- Where accounts are set up
- 4 regions
The U.S., Canada, Europe and Panama, with multi-currency setups.
Where are you starting from?
- Shut down by a payment platformStripe, PayPal, Square or Shopify Payments closed or froze your account.What happens next →
- Declined by another processorMost declines have a reason you can find, and often fix.Find the reason →
- New business, no historyNo statements yet. Qualifying leans on your site, products and plan.Check your factors →
- Processing now, want better termsLower rates, a smaller reserve or support that answers.See what moves your rate →
- Selling internationallyInternational and multi-currency accounts in Canada, Europe and Panama.International accounts →
What makes a business high risk?
Six factors decide most applications. Here's how each one affects whether you qualify."High risk" isn't a verdict on your business. It's a label for applications that get a closer look before they're set up. Two businesses in the same industry can get opposite answers, and the difference is usually in the details below.
Industry & product
Some categories carry more disputes or regulation, and a few are off-limits entirely.
Chargebacks, refunds & fraud
Your chargeback ratio gets the closest look, because the card networks penalize accounts when it climbs.
Finances & time in business
Bank statements and volume show whether your projections are believable.
Processing history
Past shutdowns, terminations and declines follow a business to its next application.
Regulatory & legal exposure
Licensed and regulated verticals need proof on file before they're cleared to process.
Business model
How and when customers pay changes how much risk your account carries.
High risk industries we get approved
A sample of the verticals we get approved every week. Each has its own page with requirements.
- Supplements & nutraceuticals
- Travel
- Hotels
- Credit repair
- Tobacco & vape
- Online liquor
- Pharmacies
- Telemedicine
- Dating sites
- Memberships & subscriptions
- Box subscriptions
- Fantasy sports
- Luxury goods
- Large ticket
- High volume
- Mail & phone order (MOTO)
- Antiques & collectibles
- Pawn shops
- Health & beauty
- E-commerce
- Bad credit
A few verticals come with specific conditions. CBD and hemp accounts are U.S.-only and need a Certificate of Analysis under 12 months old. Dropshipping needs processing history and verifiable supplier agreements. New supplement brands can't launch with free-trial offers.
What we can't take on
These can't be approved, so we'd rather tell you now than after you've gathered documents.
- Adult content
- THC cannabis (CBD under 0.3% THC is reviewed separately)
- Kratom
- HGH
- Synthetic cannabinoids
- Psychoactive products
- Research-use peptides & bacteriostatic water
- Synthetic urine
- Game cheats & hacks
- Social media likes & followers
- Tribal lending
- Unlicensed security brokers
- Generic marketing agencies
- Hate products
- Outbound tech support
- Unlicensed IPTV streaming
- Businesses in OFAC-sanctioned countries
How each factor moves your approval chances
Pick your answers. See where your file stands, and why.This isn't an application, and nothing you pick is saved or sent. It uses the same rules we use to screen applications, shown as plain results instead of scores. Final approval follows a full review of your application.
Chargeback ratio calculator
Use the last 3 months. Count fraud reports as chargebacks: they're logged the same way.
Under 1%: no concern on its own.
For reference: Visa's VAMP "excessive" threshold is 1.5% for U.S., Canada, EU and AP merchants since April 1, 2026 (Visa fact sheet). Mastercard's Excessive Chargeback Merchant level starts at 1.5% with 100 or more chargebacks a month (program guide).
Approvals in as little as 24 hours
On business days, when your file is ready and you meet approval requirements.Most accounts take 1–3 business days once weekends and document follow-ups are counted. Complex accounts take 3–5. We do most of the legwork; the rest of the pace is in your hands.
- 1
You apply
Request your free quote on our apply page. It covers what you sell, your volume and your history.
Day 0 - 2
We review your file
A specialist checks your documents, site and statements, and asks for anything missing.
Same business day - 3
We prepare a complete application
We fill gaps, write up anything that needs explaining and submit it right the first time.
As little as 24 hours - ✓
Approved, with a written offer
Rate, reserve and limits in writing before you sign. Then integrate and go live.
Most: 1–3 business days
What sets the pace
Looking for instant approval? Here's what's realistic, and what to watch out for: instant approval for high risk merchant accounts.
A decline somewhere else isn't the end of the conversation.
What usually happened, what we do about it, and where our limits are.Most of the merchants we get approved have been told no before, by a platform or another processor. The reason matters more than the no. Here's how the four most common situations usually play out.
Shut down by a payment platform
- What usually happened
- Stripe, PayPal, Square or Shopify Payments ran a risk review after a sales spike or a few disputes, then closed or froze the account.
- What we do
- Work out what likely triggered it, help you write a short explanation, and build an application that shows what has changed.
- Typical outcome
- A merchant account in your name. Expect a closer review, and possibly a higher reserve at first.
Declined by another processor
- What usually happened
- A gap on your site, unclear refund terms, missing documents, or a processor that simply doesn't take your vertical.
- What we do
- Find the reason, fix what's fixable, and submit an application built to meet your industry's requirements.
- Typical outcome
- A second application that answers the first one's questions before they're asked.
New business, no processing history
- What usually happened
- Without statements, your website, products, finances and plan carry the weight, and a thin file reads as risk.
- What we do
- Help you present a complete file: formation documents, bank statements, policies and a realistic volume forecast.
- Typical outcome
- Often approved with a rolling reserve of about 10% for six months. Under $25K a month, eCheck/ACH can be the faster start.
Chargebacks between 2% and 5%
- What usually happened
- Disputes climbed after a promotion, a fulfillment delay or a fraud wave, and your processor pulled back.
- What we do
- A specialist review of your recent statements and your plan, plus chargeback tools like alerts and 3-D Secure.
- Typical outcome
- Fewer options, so eCheck/ACH may be the better start while the ratio comes down.
Where we can't help
We'd rather tell you now than after you've gathered documents.
We can't open an account while you're listed. Here's what the MATCH list means and what to do next. If you've been removed, we review your file case by case.
Measured over 3 months, fraud included. We can't take you on until the ratio comes down. Start with our chargeback prevention guide.
Adult content, THC cannabis, kratom and the other categories listed above, plus businesses in OFAC-sanctioned countries.
What merchants say about working with us
Thank you Durango!
"Durango really cares about their customers! Nathan has been fabulous so far, he's been very patient in answering all my questions and has gone above and beyond to help me set up a payment processor for my somewhat high risk shop. I'm beyond happy with my decision to use you, thank you!!"
A Great Partner
"Durango Merchant Services came to our rescue and saved us thousands. The big banks had lumped our business into a 'high risk' category and simply declined to talk to us, and our former processor was charging us a small fortune. We needed a change. Brad presented our business to his industry contacts and ultimately landed us with a global processor at a fair price - ending months of frustration. We highly recommend Durango as a partner for your business."
Durango Merchant Services comes through again!
"Durango Merchant Services comes through again! This will be the 3rd merchant account I've opened with them. They always deliver and are fantastic to work with. Throughout the entire process Nathan is always on top of things and is a great communicator. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a merchant account."
High risk credit card processing: payment facilitator vs. merchant account
Signing up in minutes is easy. Staying approved is a different question.Payment facilitators put thousands of businesses under one master account and review them after signup. A dedicated high risk merchant account is approved before you go live, so the terms you agree to are the terms you keep.
| Payment facilitator (Stripe, PayPal, Square) | Domestic (U.S.) high risk merchant account | International & multi-currency account | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whose account | Shared master account; you're a sub-merchant | Your own dedicated merchant account | Your own account, set up in Canada, Europe or Panama |
| When you're reviewed | After signup, often after your first sales spike | Before you go live | Before you go live |
| Risk of a sudden freeze | High for restricted industries | Low; terms are written into your offer | Low; terms are written into your offer |
| Reserves | Can be imposed at any time | 5%–10% typical, set before you sign | Set before you sign |
| Approval time | Minutes to sign up | As little as 24 hours; most 1–3 business days | Depends on the country; complex files 3–5 business days |
| Minimum volume | None | $5,000 a month | $50,000 a month |
| Best for | Low-risk businesses just starting out | High risk U.S. businesses that need stability | Merchants selling across borders or in several currencies |
High risk payment processing beyond cards
A merchant account is one piece. These are the other tools that keep high risk payments flowing, online, in person and over the phone.
High risk payment gateway
The Durango Pay Gateway works with 200+ platforms, including WooCommerce, BigCommerce and Shopify.
eCheck & ACH
Check processing is often the faster start for new businesses and for merchants working their chargebacks down.
Fraud & chargeback tools
Velocity checks, 3-D Secure 2.0, tokenization and dispute alerts.
POS & virtual terminal
Card-present processing with POS systems, plus a virtual terminal in the payment gateway for phone and mail orders.
Multi-currency
Price and settle in your customers' currencies with a multi-currency merchant account.
How much does high risk credit card processing cost?
Most DMS high risk accounts run 1.95%–4.95% plus $0.15–$0.25 per authorization, with a 5%–10% rolling reserve held 90–180 days. Applying is free, and U.S. accounts carry no termination fees.
| Cost | Typical range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Discount rate | 1.95%–4.95% | Industry, chargeback history, ticket size and volume |
| Authorization fee | $0.15–$0.25 per transaction | Volume and how you accept cards |
| Rolling reserve | 5%–10% typical, held 90–180 days | Higher after a shutdown or termination; can come down as chargebacks stay low |
| Chargeback fee | $15–$25 each | Your account type |
| Minimum processing | $5,000/month U.S.; $50,000 international | Where your account is set up |
| Application | Free | No application fee |
| Early termination fee | None on U.S. accounts | Our policy: if the service is right, you won't want to leave. International terms vary by country. |
Ranges, not quotes. Your exact pricing is set once you qualify and is written into your offer before you sign.
Chargeback history
The single biggest lever. Under 1% for three months gives you room to negotiate.
Industry
Some verticals carry more risk by nature, so pricing starts higher.
Ticket size & volume
Higher volume spreads fixed costs; very high tickets add risk per sale.
Time in business
New businesses usually start with a reserve that steps down with clean history.
Billing model
Trials, renewals and future delivery mean more risk sits with the bank.
How to choose a high risk merchant account provider
Six questions that separate a stable account from the next shutdown.Whether you're comparing high risk payment processors, merchant account providers or high risk merchant services companies, ask every one of them these six questions, including us.
- Do they vet you before you go live?Vetting up front is what stops surprise freezes later.
- Do they publish ranges and put terms in writing?Rate, reserve, limits and funding timing in your offer, not in a follow-up call.
- Do they know your industry?Ask which verticals they get approved every week, not just which they accept.
- Do they help you keep the account?Chargeback alerts, fraud tools and a person who calls before a problem grows.
- Can you leave without a penalty?A provider confident in its service doesn't need termination fees to keep you. We don't charge them on U.S. accounts.
- Will they tell you what they can't do?A provider that says yes to everyone is the one that shuts accounts down later.
How to open a high risk merchant account
Have these ready and you're on the 24-hour track.These are the requirements for high risk merchant account approval. You don't need everything to request a quote; anything missing just tells us where to focus first.
Tick off what you have. Anything left becomes your first conversation with us.
- Processing statements
- Written explanation of a past shutdown
- COA for CBD (under 12 months)
- Gaming license
- FFL
- LegitScript or pharmacy license
- CROA compliance statement
- Product labels with ingredients
Four steps from free quote to your first transaction
Check your factors
Use the explorer above to see where your file stands and what to gather.
Gather your documents
Statements, ID, formation papers, EIN and your website policies.
Get a free quote
A specialist reviews your request, preps your file and takes it all the way to go-live.
Approval & go-live
Review your written offer, connect your gateway, run a test transaction and start processing.
High risk merchant account FAQs
What merchants ask us before they apply.Don't see your question? Call (866) 415-2636 and talk to a person.
What is a high risk merchant account?
A dedicated credit card processing account for businesses considered more likely to see chargebacks, fraud or regulatory issues. It gets a closer review than a standard account before it's set up, and may carry a rolling reserve, but it's in your own name rather than shared on a payment platform.
What makes a business high risk?
Six factors: the industry and product, chargebacks and fraud, finances and time in business, processing history, regulatory and legal exposure, and the business model (subscriptions, free trials, future delivery or high ticket sales). Any one of them can put a business in the high risk category.
How long does high risk merchant account approval take?
Approvals can happen in as little as 24 hours on business days when your file is complete and you meet approval requirements. Most accounts take 1–3 business days once weekends and document follow-ups are counted; complex accounts take 3–5. Timing depends on how quickly you respond, document readiness, processing history and industry.
Can I get a high risk merchant account with bad credit?
Often, yes. Owner credit is reviewed, but it's one factor among several, and strong statements or a clean processing history can offset it. See our guide to merchant accounts for businesses with bad credit.
Is there a high risk merchant account with no credit check?
No legitimate merchant account is approved without a review. Offers that promise no review usually mean a payment facilitator account that gets reviewed, and sometimes closed, after you start processing. A bad credit score isn't automatically disqualifying.
Can a new business or LLC get a high risk merchant account?
Yes. Startups are often approved with a rolling reserve of about 10% for six months. If you're new, processing under $25,000 a month and have no statements yet, eCheck/ACH processing can be the faster way to build a track record.
Stripe or PayPal shut down my account. Can you help?
Usually. Platforms review accounts after signup, and restricted industries, sales spikes or a few disputes can trigger a closure. We'll look at what likely happened, help you explain it in writing, and build an application that addresses it. Expect a closer review and possibly a higher reserve at first.
I'm on the MATCH list. Can you open an account?
Not while you're currently listed. Read what the MATCH list means and what to do next. If you were listed and have since been removed, we review your file case by case.
What's the highest chargeback ratio you accept?
We can't take on merchants at 5% or higher, measured over the last 3 months with fraud reports counted as chargebacks. Between 2% and 5%, files get a specialist review and fewer options. Under 1% is no concern on its own.
How much does a high risk merchant account cost?
Most DMS high risk accounts run 1.95%–4.95% plus $0.15–$0.25 per authorization, with chargeback fees of $15–$25. Applying is free, and U.S. accounts have no termination fees. Exact pricing is set once you qualify and is written into your offer before you sign.
Is there an early termination fee?
Not on U.S. accounts. Durango Merchant Services doesn't charge termination fees on accounts in the USA. It's a policy built on confidence: once you're approved and processing, we expect our service to be the reason you stay, not a contract penalty. International accounts follow the terms of the country they're set up in, and we walk you through those before you sign.
Will I have to keep a rolling reserve?
Often, yes. Reserves are typically 5%–10%, held 90–180 days, and higher after a shutdown or termination. They can come down as your chargebacks stay low, and any reserve is written into your offer before you sign.
Do you offer international and multi-currency accounts?
Yes. We set up accounts in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Panama, including multi-currency setups. International accounts carry a $50,000 monthly processing minimum. See international merchant accounts.
Can an e-commerce business get a high risk merchant account?
Yes. Online stores are a large share of the high risk merchants we get approved. Your website gets a close look before you're set up: clear product pages, refund, shipping and privacy policies, and honest checkout terms. For high risk payment processing online, the Durango Pay Gateway connects with 200+ e-commerce platforms.
Will it work with my payment gateway or platform?
Usually. The Durango Pay Gateway connects with 200+ platforms, including WooCommerce, BigCommerce and Shopify (using a third-party gateway in place of Shopify Payments).
Do you work with tech support companies?
Inbound tech support, yes, with strong screening. Outbound or unsolicited tech support, no.
Do you work with casinos, gambling or sports betting?
Licensed gambling and sports betting businesses can be reviewed with a valid gaming license, processing history and strong financials.
Know where you stand. Then apply with a file that's ready.
Ready to apply for a high risk merchant account? Whether you've been shut down, declined or you're just getting started, tell us what you sell. A DMS specialist will review it, tell you what to fix first and send you a free quote.