You may not use Shopify's Services to engage in transactions with individuals or entities subject to economic sanctions, including those on the OFAC Specially Designated Nationals list, or to export goods or services in violation of applicable export control laws.
OFAC violations can result in civil penalties reaching millions of dollars per transaction even when the violation was unintentional — merchants selling internationally through Shopify must implement screening processes or face strict liability exposure.
Shopify's AUP primarily affects merchants who build businesses on the platform, as prohibited product categories and enforcement provisions can result in sudden store suspension that disrupts both merchant operations and end-customer shopping experiences. Consumers who shop at Shopify-powered stores benefit from the platform's prohibitions on deceptive practices, counterfeit goods, and fraud-facilitating tools, though the policy does not itself create enforceable consumer rights against merchants. You can protect your business by maintaining independent backups of your customer data, product listings, and order history outside of Shopify's platform.