Business Category & Document Matrix
This page maps each business category to its KYC document requirements and eligibility status. The first section covers categories available in the PAI onboarding form. The second section covers all restricted categories requiring additional documentation and approval. The third section lists prohibited categories.
Indicative requirements only:
Final document requirements are determined by the PAI compliance team after reviewing your specific application. Additional documents may be requested based on your business model, jurisdiction, or transaction profile.
Supported categories
These are the business categories available in the PAI onboarding form (businessCategory field).
🟢 SOFTWARE
SaaS, subscription software, developer tools, APIs, licensed software.
Recommended MCC: 5734 (Computer Software Stores)
Documents required:
- Government-issued photo ID — all directors, authorised signatories, shareholders, and UBOs (25%+)
- Proof of business address (within 90 days)
- Business registration document
🟢 EDUCATION
Schools, tutoring, online courses, e-learning platforms, vocational training.
Recommended MCC: 8299 (Schools and Educational Services — Not Elsewhere Classified)
Documents required:
- Government-issued photo ID — all directors, authorised signatories, shareholders, and UBOs (25%+)
- Proof of business address (within 90 days)
- Business registration document
Essay mills prohibited:
Services designed to produce academic work for fraudulent submission are prohibited. See Prohibited categories.
🟢 COSMETIC STORES
Retail cosmetics, skincare, makeup, beauty products. Standard consumer products only.
Recommended MCC: 5977 (Cosmetic Stores)
Documents required:
- Government-issued photo ID — all directors, authorised signatories, shareholders, and UBOs (25%+)
- Proof of business address (within 90 days)
- Business registration document
🟢 BEAUTY SHOPS
Hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, day spas, beauty treatment services.
Recommended MCC: 7230 (Barber and Beauty Shops)
Documents required:
- Government-issued photo ID — all directors, authorised signatories, shareholders, and UBOs (25%+)
- Proof of business address (within 90 days)
- Business registration document
Medical spas:
Medical spas are a restricted category — not prohibited. If your business includes medical aesthetic treatments, contact your PAI point of contact before applying.
🟢 PHYSICAL_GOODS
Standard consumer goods — clothing, electronics, furniture, books, sporting goods.
Recommended MCC: 5999 (Miscellaneous and Specialty Retail Stores)
Documents required:
- Government-issued photo ID — all directors, authorised signatories, shareholders, and UBOs (25%+)
- Proof of business address (within 90 days)
- Business registration document
Subcategories that require separate review:
Tobacco, alcohol, pharmaceuticals, high-value jewellery, precious metals, watches, hazardous materials, and age-restricted products are all restricted categories. Contact your PAI point of contact before applying if your product range includes any of these.
🟡 BUSINESS SERVICES
B2B consulting, marketing, HR, recruitment, logistics, translation, printing.
Recommended MCC: 7399 (Business Services, Not Elsewhere Classified)
Documents required:
- Government-issued photo ID — all directors, authorised signatories, shareholders, and UBOs (25%+)
- Proof of business address (within 90 days)
- Business registration document
- 3 months of recent business bank statements
- Ownership structure chart or written declaration
- Source of funds declaration
🟡 PERSONAL SERVICES
Cleaning, repairs, photography, event planning, fitness training, personal services.
Recommended MCC: 7299 (Miscellaneous Personal Services)
Documents required:
- Government-issued photo ID — all directors, authorised signatories, shareholders, and UBOs (25%+)
- Proof of business address (within 90 days)
- Business registration document
- 3 months of recent business bank statements
- Ownership structure chart or written declaration
- Source of funds declaration
Detailed business description required:
Vague descriptions trigger
additional_info_required. See Troubleshooting.
🟡 ACCOUNTING
Accounting, bookkeeping, auditing, tax preparation, payroll services.
Recommended MCC: 8931 (Accounting, Auditing, and Bookkeeping Services)
Documents required:
- Government-issued photo ID — all directors, authorised signatories, shareholders, and UBOs (25%+)
- Proof of business address (within 90 days)
- Business registration document
- 3 months of recent business bank statements
- Ownership structure chart or written declaration
- Source of funds declaration
- Professional licence or registration where required by law
Payroll processing for third parties:
If your business collects or processes funds on behalf of other companies, this falls under financial services eligibility rules. Contact your PAI point of contact before applying.
🔴 NUTRACEUTICALS
Vitamins, minerals, herbal products, functional foods, dietary supplements. Restricted — requires additional documentation and express compliance approval before onboarding.
Recommended MCC: 5499 (Misc. Food Stores — Convenience / Specialty, used for health foods)
Documents required:
- Government-issued photo ID — all directors, authorised signatories, shareholders, and UBOs (25%+)
- Proof of business address (within 90 days)
- Business registration document
- 3 months of recent business bank statements
- Ownership structure chart or written declaration
- Source of funds — detailed declaration with supporting evidence
- Enhanced due diligence questionnaire (provided by PAI compliance team)
- Product catalogue
- Regulatory compliance statement for all target markets
- Applicable licences or registrations
- AML policy document
- PEP screening results — all directors, authorised signatories, shareholders, and UBOs
| Product type | Status |
|---|---|
| Standard vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements | Restricted — approval required |
| CBD, kava kava, kratom — direct merchant | Restricted — contact PAI point of contact |
| CBD, kava kava, kratom — platform merchant | Prohibited |
| Prescription-only substances | Prohibited |
| Products making pharmaceutical or cure claims | Prohibited |
🔴 SUPPLEMENTS
Sports nutrition, protein supplements, weight management, performance nutrition. Restricted — requires additional documentation and express compliance approval before onboarding.
Recommended MCC: 5499 (often grouped with Nutraceuticals; occasionally 5912 — Drug Stores)
Documents required:
- Government-issued photo ID — all directors, authorised signatories, shareholders, and UBOs (25%+)
- Proof of business address (within 90 days)
- Business registration document
- 3 months of recent business bank statements
- Ownership structure chart or written declaration
- Source of funds — detailed declaration with supporting evidence
- Enhanced due diligence questionnaire (provided by PAI compliance team)
- Product catalogue
- Regulatory compliance statement for all target markets
- Applicable licences or registrations
- AML policy document
- PEP screening results — all directors, authorised signatories, shareholders, and UBOs
| Product type | Status |
|---|---|
| Standard protein, creatine, amino acids, vitamins | Restricted — approval required |
| Products containing CBD or ephedra | Contact PAI point of contact |
| Anabolic steroids, controlled performance enhancers | Prohibited |
| Products making pharmaceutical or treatment claims | Prohibited |
🟡 OTHER
Business models not fitting any listed category. Minimum Medium Risk. Contact your PAI point of contact before applying.
Recommended MCC: 5999 (Miscellaneous and Specialty Retail Stores — generic fallback)
Documents required at submission:
- Government-issued photo ID — all directors, authorised signatories, shareholders, and UBOs (25%+)
- Proof of business address (within 90 days)
- Business registration document
- Detailed written business description
Document requirements summary
| Category | Photo ID | Biz reg | Address | Bank stmts | Ownership | Source of funds | EDD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOFTWARE | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | — | — | — | — |
| EDUCATION | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | — | — | — | — |
| COSMETIC STORES | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | — | — | — | — |
| BEAUTY SHOPS | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | — | — | — | — |
| PHYSICAL_GOODS | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | — | — | — | — |
| BUSINESS SERVICES | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | — |
| PERSONAL SERVICES | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | — |
| ACCOUNTING | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | — |
| NUTRACEUTICALS | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| SUPPLEMENTS | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| OTHER | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Restricted categories
Restricted categories are permitted with additional documentation and express written approval prior to onboarding. This is not an exhaustive list — PAI may apply restrictions to additional categories at its discretion.
All restricted categories require at minimum: photo ID for all principals, business registration, proof of address, 3 months bank statements, ownership structure, and source of funds declaration. Additional documents are listed per category below.
Merchant vs Platform column:
Merchant = PAI as direct payment processor for your business. Platform = your business enables third-party sub-merchants to process payments through PAI. If you are a platform, the more restrictive column applies.
| Category | Additional documents / notes | Merchant | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult goods (non-explicit) | Product catalogue, age verification system | Restricted | Restricted |
| Airlines | EDD questionnaire, IATA documentation | Restricted | Prohibited |
| Alcohol | Applicable liquor licence | Restricted | Restricted |
| Ancestry research | — | Restricted | Restricted |
| Art dealers and galleries | AML policy, provenance documentation | Restricted | Restricted |
| Auction houses | AML policy, ownership verification procedures | Restricted | Restricted |
| Buy now pay later / instalment payments | Regulatory authorisation | Restricted | Prohibited |
| Cannabis (Canada only) | Provincial licence | Restricted | Restricted |
| Car and truck rental / sales | — | Restricted | Restricted |
| Casual dating services | — | Restricted | Prohibited |
| Cloud storage, VPN, file sharing, domain hosting | — | Restricted | Restricted |
| Crowdfunding | Regulatory compliance documentation | Restricted | Restricted |
| Cruise lines | — | Restricted | Restricted |
| Cryptocurrency exchange | MSB/VASP registration, AML policy, EDD | Restricted | Prohibited |
| Debt repayment and collection | Licence / regulatory authorisation | Restricted | Prohibited |
| Direct marketing / outbound telemarketing / travel arrangement services | — | Restricted | Prohibited |
| Drop shipping | Supplier agreements, fulfilment documentation | Restricted | Restricted |
| E-wallet / e-money (monetizable or convertible) | Regulatory authorisation, AML policy | Restricted | Prohibited |
| Financial services / MSB (forex, money orders, virtual currency, check cashing) | MSB registration, AML policy, EDD | Restricted | Prohibited |
| Fines and penalty collections | Government or court authorisation | Restricted | Restricted |
| Government services | Official government authorisation | Restricted | Prohibited |
| Hazardous materials (B2B) | Applicable permits and handling licences | Restricted | Restricted |
| Health practitioners, private medical, dental, e-doctors | Medical licence, malpractice insurance | Restricted | Restricted |
| High-risk securities (CFD, forex options, ICO, crypto trading) | Regulatory authorisation, AML policy, EDD | Restricted | Prohibited |
| High-value fashion, shoes, bags, accessories | AML policy | Restricted | Restricted |
| Insurance — life | Insurance licence | Restricted | Prohibited |
| Insurance — non-life | Insurance licence | Restricted | Restricted |
| Internet service providers | — | Restricted | Restricted |
| Jewellery, watches, precious metals, silverware | AML policy, EDD | Restricted | Restricted |
| Legal gambling — licensed (casinos, poker, betting, lotteries, fantasy sports) | Gaming licence, AML policy, EDD, PEP screening | Restricted | Prohibited |
| Live-streaming (without in-app currency) | — | Restricted | Restricted |
| Live-streaming (with in-app donations) | — | Restricted | Prohibited |
| Medical spas | Medical licence | Restricted | Restricted |
| Medical / dental / ophthalmic equipment and supplies | — | Restricted | Restricted |
| Money transfer and remittance | MSB licence, AML policy, EDD | Restricted | Prohibited |
| Non-profit organisations (NPOs) | Charity registration, source of funds declaration | Restricted | Restricted |
| Nutraceuticals — standard (excl. CBD, kava kava) | See NUTRACEUTICALS section above | Restricted | Restricted |
| Nutraceuticals — highly regulated (CBD, kava kava) | EDD, regulatory authorisation | Restricted | Prohibited |
| Pharmaceuticals and prescription medicine | Pharmacy licence, DEA registration (US) / national equivalent (EU) | Restricted | Restricted |
| Political campaigning | — | Restricted | Restricted |
| Pseudoscience (clairvoyance, horoscopes) | — | Restricted | Restricted |
| Payroll, invoice and business services for third parties | Regulatory review | Restricted | Prohibited |
| Real estate services | — | Restricted | Restricted |
| Security brokers / investments | Regulatory authorisation, AML policy | Restricted | Prohibited |
| Social and religious campaigning | — | Restricted | Restricted |
| Standalone tipping services | — | Restricted | Restricted |
| Ticket agencies | — | Restricted | Restricted |
| Timeshare and timeshare maintenance | — | Restricted | Restricted |
| Tobacco and smoking supplies — domestic / in-store sale | Age verification system, applicable licence | Restricted | Restricted |
| Tobacco and smoking supplies — online sale | Age verification system, applicable licence | Restricted | Prohibited |
| Travel agents and tour operators | IATA or equivalent, surety bond | Restricted | Restricted |
| Veterinary practices | Veterinary licence | Restricted | Restricted |
Prohibited categories
Not supported by PAI under any circumstances. Applications rejected at intake.
Important:
Contact your PAI point of contact if you are unsure whether your business qualifies before submitting an application.
Adult
| Business type | Merchant | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Fetish products | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Sexually explicit content — books, magazines, audio, video, streaming, websites | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Escort agencies, strip clubs, sexually oriented massage parlours, saunas | Prohibited | Prohibited |
Financial services
| Business type | Merchant | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Binary options | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Credit repair and credit protection | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Independent or unlicensed financial advisors | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Payday loans, unsecured loans from non-FDIC insured banks | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Shell banks and bearer share entities | Prohibited | Prohibited |
Regulated substances
| Business type | Merchant | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, psychoactive products | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Products intended to facilitate production of illegal drugs | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Anabolic steroids and controlled performance enhancers | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Intravenous therapy, IV drip bars, vitamin infusion services | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Hazardous materials — B2C | Prohibited | Prohibited |
Gambling
| Business type | Merchant | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Any US-based gambling services | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Illegal gambling services | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Legal gambling — platform merchants | — | Prohibited |
Deceptive practices
| Business type | Merchant | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Deceptive marketing — false claims, hidden negative options, undisclosed subscription terms | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Get-rich-quick schemes, pyramid selling, chain letters | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Business models using ransom or extortion-like practices | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Business practices designed to evade chargeback monitoring programmes | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Fake reviews, fake references, services fostering deception | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Essay mills and academic fraud services | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Hate, violence, discrimination, harassment, terrorism | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Data Pass | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Inbound telemarketing for postcard or mailings | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Telemarketing companies selling products as agent for a third party | Prohibited | Prohibited |
Intellectual property
| Business type | Merchant | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Counterfeit products and IP infringement | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Products designed to circumvent copyright protection | Prohibited | Prohibited |
Other
| Business type | Merchant | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Weapons, ammunition, explosive devices, military arms, firearm parts | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Fireworks, radioactive or flammable materials | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Endangered or protected animals and wildlife products | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Human body parts or bodily fluids | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| High-risk cyber lockers | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Key-entry telecom merchants | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Detective agencies | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Mail order spouse / international matchmaking | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Bail bonds and bankruptcy lawyers | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Bidding fee and penny auctions | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Certain social media businesses (click farms) | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Decryption, descrambler, and signal jamming devices | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Any products or services illegal in the merchant's jurisdiction | Prohibited | Prohibited |
Per-region requirements overlay
The category and document requirements above apply globally. The following additional requirements apply on top of them, depending on the region of your merchant account. For the underlying legal basis (FinCEN, AMLD5/AMLD6, PSD2), see KYC Overview — Legal basis.
By risk tier
| Risk tier | United States (FinCEN, state licensing) | European Union (AMLD5/AMLD6, PSD2) |
|---|---|---|
| 🟢 Low risk | Standard Customer Due Diligence (CDD) under the Bank Secrecy Act. Beneficial ownership identified for any individual with 25%+ direct or indirect ownership. | Standard customer due diligence under AMLD5. Beneficial ownership cross-checked against the national UBO register where one is operational. |
| 🟡 Medium risk | Enhanced documentation of source of funds. Confirm whether any state licensing applies (for example, money transmission or pharmacy licensing). | Enhanced documentation of source of funds. VAT certificate or VIES confirmation required. |
| 🔴 High risk / EDD | Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) under FinCEN. Source of funds and source of wealth required. State-level licensing confirmed for regulated activities. PEP screening applied. | Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) under AMLD6. Source of funds and source of wealth required. PEP screening applied. PSD2 strong customer authentication required for online card-not-present flows where applicable. |
| Restricted | Activity-specific licences required at the federal and/or state level. | Activity-specific licences and registrations required under member-state law. |
| Prohibited | Not supported. | Not supported. |
Key differences
- Licensing authority — In the US, regulated activities (money services, supplements, pharmacy, firearms) are typically licensed at the state level, not the federal level. In the EU, licensing is at the member-state level under the relevant transposition of EU directives.
- UBO registry — In the EU, national UBO registries under AMLD5 are checked directly where operational. In the US, beneficial ownership is collected and verified through CDD documentation; there is no equivalent public registry.
- Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) — Required under PSD2 for EU/UK card-not-present flows. Not required in the US, but enabling 3DS provides a liability shift and is recommended.
- PEP screening — Required for all medium and high-risk MCC in both regions.
Final requirements set by PAI compliance:
The overlay above is the baseline. Final requirements for your specific application are set by the PAI compliance team after reviewing your business model, registered category, and jurisdiction.
Changing your business category after approval
Prior written approval required:
Any change in business activity requiring an update to your registered category requires PAI's prior written approval before you submit Transactions under the new category. Operating under an unapproved category is grounds for immediate suspension of Services under the Merchant Agreement.