Payment solution for tobacco and vape shops
A payment solution for tobacco and vape shops handles card, contactless and mobile payments at your counter, through licensed European acquirers that accept your sector. LunaPay is a payment provider for tobacconists, vape shops and tobacco specialists in the Netherlands. You get a sharp rate on transparent IC++, multiple acquirers behind the scenes and one fixed point of contact who knows the rules of your trade.
Why tobacco and vape are treated as high-risk
A tobacco or vape shop sells legal products, but the sector is under close watch. Dutch tobacco law is changing fast. Supermarkets may no longer sell tobacco products, vapes may only be sold in tobacco flavour, only registered specialist shops may display their products, and since 1 July 2026 every point of sale for tobacco and vapes must be registered with the NVWA, the Dutch food and consumer product safety authority. From 1 January 2027, plain packaging applies to vapes and cigarillos, and from 1 July 2027 to other cigars as well. And the government wants to cut the number of points of sale further.
For banks and payment providers, that is a reason for caution. Age-restricted products, rules that get stricter every year and a sector under political pressure: many providers list tobacco and vapes as a restricted or excluded sector in their terms. The result is an application that stalls, or a provider that pulls out after a policy change, even when a shop has everything in order. We know how this works and set up your acceptance with partners that accept the sector.
Payments, pricing and continuity: what we take care of
Your customers come in often, spend small amounts and want to be on their way. Your payment solution has to keep up: quick at the counter, sharply priced per transaction, and stable when the rules change again.
Quick checkout at the counter
A fixed terminal at the till, and a mobile one where that helps. Chip and PIN, contactless and mobile payments come as standard. If you use a till system, we check whether we can connect the terminal to it with LunaPay Bridge, so the amount does not have to be keyed in twice.
A rate that suits small amounts
In a tobacco or vape shop, the average sale is often small and the number of transactions high. Then every cent per transaction counts. We work on transparent IC++, sharply priced, and work out in advance what it means for your shop.
Multiple licensed acquirers
The rules for your sector change quickly, and an acquirer can adjust its policy in response. LunaPay works with multiple licensed European acquirers. Together we decide whether a second one stands ready as a backup from the start, and if an acquirer stops serving your sector, we move you to another licensed partner.
We know the rules of your trade
NVWA registration, the display ban, the flavour rules for vapes: you take care of those yourself, but we know what is going on. That lets us set up your application right the first time with a partner that accepts your sector, under the right sector code. The age check at the counter stays with you.
Payouts, insight and one point of contact
Your revenue is paid out to your business account, depending on your package. In the LunaPay Insights dashboard you see your revenue and your busiest hours live. And you call one fixed point of contact, not a call centre.
Curious what this means for your shop? Calculate your rate estimate or request your personal proposal.
Also for
Tobacconists, cigar shops, vape shops and shops that sell tobacco products alongside other goods, such as a newsagent or a convenience store. From a single shop to a chain with several locations under one management. Is your shop outside the Netherlands, for example in Belgium? Get in touch and we will look at what is possible through our partners.
Your payments keep running.
Most providers rely on a single acquirer, the party that processes your card transactions. If that one goes down or refuses your sector, your payments stop. LunaPay works with multiple licensed European acquirers. For each sector we decide together whether a second acquirer stands ready as a backup from the start, and if an acquirer stops serving your sector, we move you to another licensed partner. That is what we call multi-acquiring. In a sector where the rules get stricter every year, you do not want to depend on one party. If an acquirer stops serving tobacco or vape, we move you to another licensed partner.
Read how multi-acquiring worksWhere are you now?
Secure and compliant.
We work exclusively with regulated, licensed European acquiring partners. Your payments run over certified infrastructure, with PCI DSS for handling card data, 3-D Secure and SCA under PSD2 for strong customer authentication, and careful AML and KYC checks at onboarding. That keeps your acceptance not only stable, but demonstrably in order.
Read how we handle safety and continuityLive in three steps.
Call us or get a call back
In a short phone call we go through your situation, your volume and a start date. No strings, and no visit needed.
Send your documents
You get a clear checklist and an upload link. We think along and keep it simple.
Go live and get paid
After approval we set everything live. Ready to get paid.
Worry-free payments at a sharp rate.
Sharp, competitive rates on transparent IC++, with no surprises, and multiple licensed acquirers behind the scenes. What it means for your sector depends on your volume and your profile.
Frequently asked questions about card payments in your tobacco or vape shop
Which payment provider accepts a tobacco or vape shop?
LunaPay handles card payments for tobacconists, vape shops and tobacco specialists, through licensed European acquirers that accept the sector. You get a sharp rate on IC++ and one fixed point of contact.
Why does my bank or provider refuse my vape shop?
Because many providers list tobacco and vapes as a restricted or excluded sector in their terms: age-restricted products, a steady stream of new rules and a sector under political pressure. That says nothing about your shop. We are set up for sectors like yours.
What do card payments cost for a tobacco shop?
That depends on your volume and your situation. We work on transparent IC++, sharply priced. The calculator gives you your rate estimate.
Can I also sell tobacco or vapes online through LunaPay?
No. In the Netherlands, distance selling of tobacco and vapes to consumers in the EEA is prohibited, including through a webshop, an app or social media. That is why we focus on payments in the shop. If you supply businesses, for example as a wholesaler, we will look at what is possible together.
Does the terminal check the customer's age?
No. A payment terminal does not check age. You may only sell tobacco products to customers aged 18 and over, and that check stays with you and your staff at the counter.
What if the rules for my sector change again?
Then you do not want to be tied to one party. LunaPay works with multiple licensed acquirers. If one stops serving your sector, we move you to another licensed partner.
Does it work with my till system?
We check that in the first call. If your till can be connected with LunaPay Bridge, the amount appears on the terminal straight away.
High-risk? No-problem.
Request your personal proposal and find out what we can arrange for tobacco and vape shops.