Age Verification in Vape Sales
Selling age-restricted products requires verification that customers meet minimum age requirements before purchase. For vape products, federal law prohibits sales to anyone under 21. State and local laws may impose additional requirements. Meeting these requirements isn't just legal compliance—it's typically a condition of your payment processing agreement.
In-person verification at brick-and-mortar stores is relatively straightforward. Checking ID before completing sales is standard retail practice for age-restricted products. Your point-of-sale system may have features that prompt age verification and log compliance, providing documentation if questions arise.
Online age verification is more complex. Remote transactions can't use physical ID examination, so online sellers must use alternative verification methods. Date-of-birth entry is typically insufficient alone—processors usually require additional verification through identity verification services.
Processors evaluate your age verification procedures during underwriting. Weak verification creates risk of underage sales, which creates legal liability and reputational risk for processors. Strong verification procedures support account approval and ongoing good standing.
Implementing Effective Verification
In-store ID scanning provides documented verification that supports compliance. Scanning systems record that verification occurred, creating evidence if compliance is questioned. Integration with your POS ensures verification happens before transactions complete.
Online verification services use identity databases to confirm customer age remotely. Services like Veratad, Jumio, or similar providers can integrate with your ecommerce platform to verify age before completing purchases. Some processors specify which verification services they accept.
Staff training on verification procedures reduces errors. Team members who understand both legal requirements and processor expectations verify consistently rather than occasionally. Regular training refreshers maintain compliance discipline.
Documentation of verification attempts protects your business if compliance questions arise. Records showing that verification was performed, even when sales are declined for verification failure, demonstrate systematic compliance rather than selective enforcement.
How Goodlane Group Supports Verification Compliance
We help vape businesses implement age verification that meets both legal requirements and processor expectations. Understanding what specific processors require helps configure verification appropriately.
Our recommendations consider how verification integrates with your sales systems. Verification that creates friction drives away customers; verification that's seamless maintains compliance without harming sales.
We connect businesses with verification service providers appropriate for their sales channels. In-store ID scanners, online verification APIs, and hybrid solutions for multi-channel sellers all require different approaches.
For businesses facing compliance questions from processors, we help document verification procedures and address concerns before they escalate to account reviews or terminations.