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Jun 25, 2025 09:35 PM
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Squarespace
payment integration
shipping restrictions
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Understand what you can't sell on Squarespace by reviewing their Acceptable Use Policy, your payment processors' restrictions, and shipping carrier limitations. Always check for updates to avoid compliance issues. Digital products are allowed if they meet guidelines.
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What You Can't Sell on Squarespace (And How to Check)
If you're setting up a Squarespace shop, you'll need to know what you can and can't sell. It's not just Squarespace's rules you need to worry about - your payment processors and shipping carriers all have their own restrictions too.
Check Squarespace's Rules First
Before you list anything, read through Squarespace's Acceptable Use Policy and Terms of Service. These cover the basics of what's allowed on their platform.
But here's what catches most people out - your payment processor's rules matter just as much, sometimes more.
Your Payment Processor Sets the Real Limits
Each payment service has its own prohibited items list:
- Stripe: Has a comprehensive list of prohibited businesses
- PayPal: Maintains its own Acceptable Use Policy
- Afterpay/Clearpay: Check their Merchant Services Agreement
- Square: Has specific restrictions on what you can sell
To see which payment services you're using, go to your Squarespace payment settings. If you've got multiple processors set up (like both Stripe and PayPal), you need to follow all their rules.
Shipping Restrictions Add Another Layer
Selling physical products? Your shipping carrier gets a say too:
- FedEx: Has both domestic and international shipping restrictions
- UPS: Maintains lists of prohibited and restricted items
- Royal Mail/USPS: Each has their own shipping limitations
These restrictions can vary by destination, so what you can ship domestically might not be allowed internationally.
How to Stay Compliant
- Read all the policies before you start selling
- Check your payment processor restrictions in your Squarespace settings
- If you're shipping physical goods, review your carrier's prohibited items list
- Keep an eye on policy updates - these change regularly
The key is checking all these policies work together. You might find something that's fine with Squarespace but blocked by your payment processor, or allowed by everyone except your shipping carrier.
Common Questions
What exactly can't I sell on Squarespace?
Anything that breaks Squarespace's Acceptable Use Policy, your payment processor's rules, or your shipping carrier's restrictions. The payment processor rules are usually the strictest.
How do I find out which payment processors I'm using?
Go to Settings > Payments in your Squarespace admin. You'll see which services are connected.
Can I sell digital products?
Yes, as long as they meet Squarespace's guidelines and your payment processor's rules. Digital products don't have shipping restrictions, which makes things simpler.
Quick Definitions
- Acceptable Use Policy: Squarespace's rules about what you can and can't do on their platform
- Terms of Service: The legal agreement for using Squarespace
- Payment Processor: Services like Stripe or PayPal that handle your transactions
- Prohibited Businesses: Types of businesses that payment processors won't work with
Getting your head around all these different policies might feel overwhelming, but it's worth doing properly. It's much easier to check everything upfront than deal with account suspensions or shipping problems later.
Keep bookmarks of all the relevant policy pages and check them when they send update emails. These rules change more often than you'd think.