UK high-risk merchant account matrix
Typical UK card-acquiring rate and rolling-reserve bands for every high-risk vertical, and whether a named UK acquirer panel works with the category or it routes to a specialist acquirer per application. Bands are typical onboarding figures, not quoted offers; your terms depend on volume, processing history and compliance documentation. MerchantHQ is a broker: we match you to the acquirer most likely to take your profile and earn our commission from them on signup.
| Vertical | Typical rate | Rolling reserve | UK acquirer route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult industry | 4.0% to 7.0% blended | 10% to 15% rolling reserve standard | Specialist, per application |
| Antique firearms | 2.5% to 4.5% blended | 5% to 10% rolling reserve common | Specialist, per application |
| CBD | 2.5% to 4.5% blended; some interchange-plus options | 5% to 10% rolling reserve common | Named UK acquirer panel |
| Crypto on-ramp (fiat to crypto) | 3.5% to 6.5% blended | 10% to 20% rolling reserve standard | Named UK acquirer panel |
| Crypto-adjacent | 3.0% to 6.0% | 10% to 20% rolling reserve standard | Named UK acquirer panel |
| Dating site | 3.0% to 5.0% | 10% to 15% | Specialist, per application |
| Dating site and app | 3.0% to 5.0% blended | 10% to 15% rolling reserve common | Specialist, per application |
| Debt collection agency | 2.5% to 4.5% blended | 5% to 10% rolling reserve common | Named UK acquirer panel |
| Escort agency | 4.5% to 7.0% blended | 10% to 20% rolling reserve standard | Specialist, per application |
| Firearms and ammunition | 2.5% to 4.5% | 5% to 10% | Specialist, per application |
| Fireworks retail | 2.5% to 4.5% blended | 5% to 10% rolling reserve common | Specialist, per application |
| Forex and CFD | 3.5% to 6.0% blended | 10% to 20% rolling reserve standard | Named UK acquirer panel |
| Gambling | 2.5% to 5.0% (varies by sub-category) | Variable; can be substantial | Named UK acquirer panel |
| GLP-1 and weight-loss clinic | 2.8% to 4.5% blended | 5% to 15% rolling reserve common | Specialist, per application |
| Health supplements | 2.5% to 4.0% | 5% to 10% | Specialist, per application |
| Kratom retail | 3.5% to 6.0% blended | 10% to 15% rolling reserve standard | Specialist, per application |
| MLM and network marketing | 3.0% to 5.0% blended | 10% to 15% rolling reserve common | Specialist, per application |
| Nootropic | 2.8% to 4.5% blended | 5% to 12% rolling reserve common | Specialist, per application |
| Outbound telemarketing | 2.5% to 4.5% blended | 5% to 10% rolling reserve common | Specialist, per application |
| Pawnbroker | 2.5% to 4.0% | 5% to 10% | Specialist, per application |
| Peptide | 3.5% to 6.0% blended | 10% to 20% rolling reserve common | Specialist, per application |
| Psychic services and tarot reading | 4.0% to 6.5% blended | 10% to 20% rolling reserve standard | Specialist, per application |
| Research chemical | 4.0% to 6.5% blended | 10% to 25% rolling reserve common | Specialist, per application |
| SARMs | 3.5% to 6.0% blended | 10% to 20% rolling reserve common | Specialist, per application |
| Subscription-billing | 2.0% to 3.5% | 5% to 10% rolling reserve common | Named UK acquirer panel |
| Telehealth and online clinic | 2.5% to 4.2% blended | 5% to 12% rolling reserve common | Specialist, per application |
| Ticket resale | 2.5% to 4.5% blended | 5% to 15% rolling reserve common | Named UK acquirer panel |
| Timeshare resale | 3.0% to 5.5% blended | 10% to 20% rolling reserve standard | Specialist, per application |
| Tobacco pipe and accessory retail | 2.5% to 4.0% blended | 5% to 10% rolling reserve common | Named UK acquirer panel |
| Travel agency | 2.0% to 3.5% | Variable; can be substantial; sometimes settled into a trust account rather than direct | Named UK acquirer panel |
| Vape and e-liquid | 2.5% to 4.0% blended | 5% to 8% rolling reserve common | Named UK acquirer panel |
| Vehicle history report | 2.0% to 3.5% blended | 5% to 10% rolling reserve common | Specialist, per application |
| Weight-loss supplement subscription | 3.0% to 5.0% blended | 10% to 15% rolling reserve standard | Specialist, per application |
Machine-readable version: /api/high-risk (JSON, CC BY 4.0). Last reviewed 2026-05-27.
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Oliver leads MerchantHQ's terminal testing and acquirer comparison. With a background in UK commercial finance and merchant payments, he oversees terminal reviews, switching guidance and high-risk vertical mapping.
Last reviewed: 27 May 2026