The businesses rano can’t support, those that need approval first, and the rules that apply to every merchant. This list follows banking and card network rules, and may change when those rules change.
1Why we have this policy
Payments through rano run on South African banking and card networks, so we must follow their rules and South African law, including the Financial Intelligence Centre Act. Some businesses carry risks we can’t take on. This policy explains which, so you know before you apply. It forms part of our merchant terms.
2Prohibited businesses
We can’t accept payments for any of the following.
- Illegal goods and services
- Anything unlawful in South Africa or where you or your customers are, or that helps someone break the law.
- Drugs
- Illegal drugs, controlled substances without the required licences, and products marketed as legal alternatives to them.
- Weapons
- Firearms, ammunition, explosives and their parts, and weapons that are illegal to own.
- Unlicensed gambling
- Betting, gaming, lotteries or competitions that need a provincial or national licence and don’t have one.
- Investment and money schemes
- Pyramid and Ponzi schemes, unregistered investment offers, binary options and get-rich-quick schemes.
- Unauthorised financial services
- Lending, forex trading, investment advice or money transfer without the required FSCA, NCR or Reserve Bank authorisation.
- Cryptoassets
- Exchanges, wallets and token sales, unless you are a registered crypto asset service provider and we have approved you.
- Counterfeit and infringing goods
- Fake branded goods, pirated content, unlicensed streaming and anything else that infringes intellectual property.
- Adult content and services
- Pornography, escort services and other sexual services.
- Harmful or deceptive practices
- Hate speech, violence, misleading claims, hidden subscriptions and fake reviews.
- Payment facilitation
- Taking payments on behalf of other businesses, or cash advances and money transmission through rano.
- Sanctioned parties
- Businesses or people on sanctions lists, or trading with sanctioned countries.
3Restricted businesses
These businesses may be able to use rano, but need our approval first. We may ask for licences, extra documents, or agree a reserve or lower limits.
- Licensed gambling and lotteries
- Alcohol
- Tobacco, vapes and e-cigarettes
- Pharmacies, medicines and supplements with health claims
- Travel agents, airlines and tour operators
- Event ticketing and advance bookings
- Subscriptions and memberships with automatic renewal
- Charities and non-profit organisations
- Debt collection
- Dating services
- Timeshare and holiday clubs
- High-value goods such as jewellery and electronics resale
4How you use rano
Whatever your business, you must not use rano to:
- take payments for a business other than the one we approved;
- split one sale into several payments to get around limits, or charge customers for something they didn’t agree to;
- add a surcharge for paying by card;
- process payments you know or suspect are fraudulent;
- interfere with or try to get around our security and risk checks.
5If your business changes
Tell us before you start selling something new, change what you sell, or change who owns or controls your business. Some changes need a new review.
6What happens if this policy is broken
We may pause payments or payouts, ask for more information, hold funds to cover refunds and chargebacks, or close the account, as the merchant terms allow. Where the law requires it, we must report suspicious activity to the authorities. If we need to act, we will tell you why and what we need from you, unless the law prevents us.
7Not sure if you qualify?
Ask us before you apply. Email hello@rano.co.za with a short description of what you sell and how.