Prohibited Products

SurcoPay payments run on Stripe. Every seller must follow this policy and Stripe's Prohibited and Restricted Businesses list. If Stripe doesn't allow something, neither do we — even if it isn't listed below. Where this policy is stricter than Stripe's, this policy applies.

This list gives common examples; it is not exhaustive. If you're unsure whether your product is allowed, email support@surcopay.com before you list it.

1. Anything illegal

• Products or services that are illegal where you are located or where your buyers are located.
• Content that promotes, encourages, or celebrates unlawful violence or physical harm to people or property.
• Content that promotes violence or hatred against any group based on race, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other protected characteristic.

2. Adult and sexual content

• Pornography or other sexually explicit material (text, images, audio, video, or other media) designed for sexual gratification — including AI-generated content.
• Adult services of any kind, including paid adult chat, escort, or fetish services.

3. Content you don't have the rights to sell

• Pirated or unauthorized copies of software, courses, e-books, music, films, fonts, templates, or any other licensed material.
• Resale-rights or "PLR" products, unless you hold a valid license that allows resale and can show it on request.
• Software cracks, keygens, unauthorized license keys, or tools to bypass copy protection.
• Counterfeit or unauthorized brand-name products, or anything that infringes someone else's trademark, patent, copyright, trade secret, or privacy rights.

See our Copyright Policy for how we handle infringement reports.

4. Deceptive, misleading, or "get rich quick" products

• "Get rich quick" products that promise fast, easy, or guaranteed money, or high rewards for little effort.
• Multilevel marketing, pyramid schemes, or products whose main value is recruiting others.
• Investment, trading, or "signals" products that promise returns or profits; funded prop-trading challenges.
• Fake or misleading testimonials, outrageous claims, or high-pressure upsells.
• Unclear or hidden recurring charges, or "free trials" that turn into charges without clear disclosure.
• Selling followers, likes, views, reviews, or other online traffic or engagement.
• Document falsification: templates or services for fake IDs, fake references, fake bank statements, fake receipts or invoices, fake diplomas or certificates, or any other forged document.
• Reselling government services, forms, or information without real added value, or with misleading claims.
• Coursework, exam answers, or essays sold for submission as someone else's own work.

5. Gambling and prizes

• Paid contests, sweepstakes, raffles, lotteries, or giveaways where buyers pay for a chance to win a prize.
• Games of chance or skill with a monetary or material prize.
• Sports forecasting or odds-making with a monetary or material prize.

6. Money, credits, and crypto

• Money transmission, peer-to-peer payments, or collecting money on behalf of other people or businesses.
• Gift cards, prepaid cards, vouchers, or stored value for a business other than your own.
• In-game currency or game items, unless you operate that game.
• Cryptocurrency sales, exchanges, or wallets; initial coin offerings (ICOs); NFT sales; crypto mining or staking.
• Debt relief, debt settlement, credit repair, or credit counseling services.

7. Drugs, health, and medical

• Illegal drugs, or substances designed to mimic them; guides for making or obtaining illegal drugs.
• Cannabis products, or courses and guides on cultivating marijuana.
• Prescription products, telemedicine, or regulated medical services.
• Health, supplement, or diet products that make unsafe or harmful claims.

8. Weapons and dangerous materials

• Files, plans, or instructions for making illegal weapons, including 3D-printable firearms or firearm parts.
• Instructions for making explosives or other dangerous materials.

9. Harmful software and data

• Malware, spyware, ransomware, or tools designed to gain unauthorized access to systems or accounts.
• Stolen, leaked, or hacked data, accounts, or credentials.
• Personal data or contact lists collected without the people's consent.

10. Sanctioned countries and persons

You may not use SurcoPay if you are located in, or sell to buyers in, jurisdictions Stripe prohibits — currently including Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions — or if you appear on a US, UK, EU, or UN sanctions list. Additional restrictions apply to selling certain software and services to Russia.

11. Not supported on SurcoPay for now

These categories may be legal and even allowed by Stripe with special approval, but SurcoPay doesn't support them at this time:

• Donations, fundraising, or crowdfunding.
• Dating or matchmaking services.
• Products containing CBD, tobacco, or alcohol.
• General file-hosting or file-sharing unrelated to a product you created or have the rights to sell.

12. Country-specific rules

Stripe has additional rules for sellers in some countries (for example, Japan, Mexico, India, and Thailand). If you sell from one of those countries, you must also follow the rules Stripe lists for your country.

Enforcement

If we find a product that breaks this policy, we may remove it, suspend your storefront, or close your account, depending on the severity. Serious violations — such as illegal content or fraud — may result in immediate termination and, where required, a report to the authorities. Stripe may also take action on your connected Stripe account independently of us.

Reporting a product

If you see a product that breaks this policy, email support@surcopay.com with a link to the product and a short description of the problem. For copyright complaints, follow our Copyright Policy.