Digital age verification in e-commerce

A market with high risk – and great potential

Online sales of products like tobacco, e-cigarettes, alcohol, and CBD are booming – but many providers operate in a legal gray area.

The biggest challenge: secure and legally compliant age verification. Mistakes here can lead to warnings, fines, or even criminal consequences.

Responsibility lies with the retailer – not the courier

According to the Supreme State Youth Authorities, retailers are required to ensure that these products are sold and delivered only to adults. While parcel services like DHL offer age verification upon delivery (e.g., DHL-Ident-Check for €1.99), this alone is not enough. The responsibility remains with the retailer.

Two-step age verification: Legally required

The Youth Protection Act (JuSchG) requires a two-step age check:

1. When buying online

– directly during the checkout process.

2. Upon delivery

– e.g., via an ID check by the courier service.

Anyone who only covers one of these steps acts negligently. Court cases confirm this (see LG Bochum, Case No.: I-13 O 1/19).

Photo-Ident: The simple, digital solution for retailers

With Photo-Ident, Verimi offers a fast, secure, and cost-effective way to verify age directly during the checkout process. For smaller retailers in particular, it’s an attractive solution to minimize legal risks while keeping the checkout user-friendly.

Benefits of Photo-Ident

Fully digital and AI-powered - no manual checks

No process interruptions during checkout

Legal compliance through age verification before shipping

Perfectly complements delivery checks and is ready to use immediately

Conclusion: Act legally compliant now – with Photo-Ident

Anyone selling 18+ products online must take age verification seriously. With Photo-Ident, retailers can meet legal requirements, protect their customers, and build trust in their shop.

Combine Verimi Photo-Ident with other products

Verimi Access – Easy access to your online portal

With Verimi Single Sign-On (SSO), your customers can log in to your customer portal safely and conveniently. Data such as name or phone number, stored in their Verimi ID Wallet, can be easily transferred.

Not sure which identity verification method is right for you?

Take the check – quick, free, and without obligation!

Overview of other Verimi identity methods

Wallet-Ident

The fastest way to verify your identity! Your customers use the data already stored in their Verimi ID Wallet to identify themselves, sign documents, and much more with just one click.

Video-Ident

Verify your customers’ identity via video chat with an agent. With Verimi Video ID, you benefit from a secure and GwG-compliant method.

Bank-Ident

Identify your customers quickly and fully digitally at GwG standard. Your customers can conveniently verify their identity digitally using their bank account login.

eID-Ident

Use the online ID function of the personal identity card for GwG-compliant identity verification of your customers. Verimi eID-Ident offers a simple and secure process.

How you can use Verimi in your industry

Our solutions are highly versatile, suitable for both regulated and non-regulated industries and use cases. Learn more about the possible applications here.

Banking/ Finance

With Verimi, your customers can submit applications online, manage contract documents and much more.

Healthcare

Verify the identity of patients, e.g. for digital applications or the activation of your online customer portal.

Telecommunications

Verify the identity of your customers in fulfilment of the requirements of the Federal Network Agency.

Insurances

Whether onboarding new customers or taking out policies: Verimi helps you prevent insurance fraud!

Betting providers

Our age and identity check helps you to comply with youth protection laws and prevent online fraud.

Public sector

Digitalise your processes to implement the Online Access Act (OZG): With Verimi, citizens can provide legally valid digital identification, e.g. as part of digital applications.

Vacation & Travel

Our contactless, digital identity checks create convenient processes for your customers, e.g. at check-in at the airport or when making online travel bookings.