Amazon Gated Categories & Products: What are They and How to Get Approved in 2024?
Are you looking for an opportunity to take a step into the world’s most popular marketplace? Judging by the fact that you’ve ended up on this page, we assume you know the growth opportunities that gated products can offer.
In this article, learn about Amazon’s gated categories & products, get an up-to-date list of them and find out how you can become a seller of such products yourself.
What are Amazon Gated Products & Categories?
Amazon Gated Categories include specific products that require sellers to obtain approval before listing them.
Amazon Gated Categories are a unique aspect of selling on Amazon, designed to protect consumers by ensuring that only high-quality, safe products are available in certain sensitive or specialized categories. These categories can include items like luxury brands, electronics, or health products where consumer trust is crucial. For sellers, getting approval to sell in these categories can unlock significant growth opportunities, as it allows them to tap into exclusive markets with potentially less competition.
What Categories are NOT Subject to these Restrictions?
Let’s first look at the categories open to everyone, including new sellers, before we dive into how to get approval for the gated ones.
There are more than 20 categories where you can list products without special approval, some of which only allow new items. But remember, even in these open categories, specific products or brands might still need approval. Here’s a list of the ungated categories Amazon recently shared.
Category | Example Products | Conditions Allowed |
Amazon Device Accessories | Amazon devices accessories | New, Used |
Amazon Kindle | Kindle devices accessories | Used |
Beauty | Fragrance, skincare, makeup, hair care, bath & shower (topicals require approval). See also Health & Personal Care. | New |
Books | Books, calendars, card decks, sheet music, magazines, journals, other publications | New, Used |
Business Products (B2B) | Business-relevant products across multiple categories. Special pricing features to target business customers. | New, Used |
Beauty Tools & Accessories | Brushes, bags, cases, skin care tools, hair styling tools | New |
Camera & Photo | Cameras, camcorders, telescopes | New, Used |
Cell Phones | Cell phones and accessories must be listed using the manufacturer’s Universal Product Code (UPC). | New, Used, Unlocked |
Clothing & Accessories | Outerwear, athletic wear, innerwear, belts, wallets | New |
Electronics Accessories | Audio, video, camera, photo, cell phone, car electronics, computer, and office accessories | New, Used |
Fashion Jewelry | Jewelry that does not contain precious or semi-precious gemstones; pearls; metals | New |
Grocery & Gourmet Food | New | |
Home & Garden | Kitchen, dining, pet supplies, furniture, decor, bedding, bath, craft, hobby, home appliances, storage, patio, lawn, garden, pool supplies, landscaping, snow removal, generators | New, Used, Collectible |
Luggage & Travel Accessories | Luggage, bags, backpacks, briefcases, umbrellas, travel accessories | New |
Musical Instruments | Guitars, orchestra, recording equipment | New, Used, Collectible |
Office Products | Supplies, furniture, printers, calculators | New, Used, Collectible |
Outdoors | Outdoor gear, outdoor sports apparel, cycling, and action sports | New, Used |
Shoes Handbags & Sunglasses | Shoes, boots, sandals, slippers, handbags, sunglasses, eyewear frames | New |
Software & Computer Games | Business, media education, utility, security, children’s software and PC games | New, Used |
Sports | Exercise & fitness, hunting accessories, team sports, licensed/fan shop, athletic apparel, boating & fishing, and game room | New, Used, Collectible |
Tools & Home Improvement | Hand & power tools, plumbing, electrical, building materials, appliance parts | New, Used |
Toys & Games | Action figures, dolls, board games, arts, crafts, learning toys (holiday selling requirements apply) | New, Collectible |
Video Games & Video Game Consoles | Game consoles, console games, accessories | New, Used, Collectible |
* List of Amazon Ungated Categories 2024
To sell in these categories, sellers must complete an approval process that can involve various steps such as paying fees, undergoing performance checks, and meeting other criteria set by Amazon. The requirements can differ depending on the product type, making it essential for sellers to thoroughly understand the necessary steps for successful approval.
What motivates Sellers to List Products in Amazon's Gated Categories?
Not many sellers are willing to go through a complicated process of selling products from gated categories, and instead prefer to go with the flow by trying to make a profit out of less specific categories where competition is fierce.
But in reality, what seems daunting for the majority might be the other’s key to success. Of course, nobody likes adhering to strict rules, but is it really that bad? While you do need to approach such products with care, it still seems like a much better option than trying to break from a crowd of like-minded sellers.
With less competition and higher profit potential, selling restricted items on Amazon suddenly becomes quite appealing. The only obstacle standing in your way would be Amazon’s Rules.
What Product Categories are gated on Amazon?
Here’s the list of Restricted Amazon Categories in the USA in 2024:
Category | Example Products | Conditions Allowed |
Alcohol | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Animal-Related Products | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Automotive & Powersports | See restriction details on Seller Central | New, Used, Collectible |
Baby Products | Topicals, food, feeding products, diapers, strollers, car seats, toys | New |
Beauty Products | Cosmetics, fragrance, skincare, makeup, hair care, tools & shower products | New |
Certified Refurbished | Laptops & computers, smartphones, tablets, kitchen appliances, office equipment | See Certified Refurb |
Collectible Coins | Graded/slabbed coins, sets issued by governments, US Mint and proof and mint sets, commemorative coins | Collectible |
Cosmetics & Skin/Hair Care | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Dietary Supplements | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Drugs & Drug Paraphernalia | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Electronics | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Entertainment Collectibles | Celebrity signed photos, original movie posters, limited edition figures and busts, animation cels | Collectible |
Explosives Weapons & Related Items | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Fine Art | See restriction details on Seller Central | Collectible |
Gambling & Lottery | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Grocery & Gourmet Food | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Handmade | Handmade and hand-altered products | See separate Handmade |
Hazardous & Dangerous Items | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Health & Personal Care | Food aid, nutrition, feminine hygiene, dietary supplements | New |
Historical & Advertising Collectibles | Vintage collectibles related to historical events, places, or items and promotional materials related to consumer brands | Collectible |
Human Parts & Burial Artifacts | See restrictions details on Seller Central | New |
Industrial & Scientific | Lab equipment & supplies, industrial materials power transmission, electronic components, sanitation, janitorial | New |
Jewelry & Precious Gems | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Laser Products | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Lighting | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Lock Picking & Theft Devices | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Medical Devices & Accessories | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Medication | Drugs approved by the FDA for over-the-counter sale. See drugs & drug paraphernalia. | New |
Music | CDs, cassettes, vinyl, and other sound recordings | New, Used, Collectible |
Offensive & Controversial Materials | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Organic Products | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Pesticides | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Pet Food | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Plants Plant Products & Seeds | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Postage Meters & Stamps | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Sex & Sensuality | New | |
Sports Collectibles | Trading cards, game-used and autographed memorabilia | Collectible |
Subscriptions & Periodicals | New | |
Surveillance Equipment | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Tobacco & Tobacco-Related Products | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Topicals | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
Video DVD & Blu-ray | See restriction details on Seller Central | New, Used, Collectible |
Watches | All watches | New |
Warranties, Service Contracts, Guarantees & Non-Amazon Services | See restriction details on Seller Central | New |
* List of Amazon Gated Categories 2024
How to obtain Approval for Amazon Gated Categories?
If you’re aiming to sell in a restricted category on Amazon, you’ll need to get their approval first. Here’s how you can apply:
1. Go to your Seller Central page, click on ‘Catalog,’ and then choose ‘Add Products.’
2. Look up the item using its ASIN, barcode, part number, or name.
3. In the search results, click on ‘Show Limitations.’
4. If the option is available, click on ‘Apply to sell‘ to start your application.
During the application process, you can be asked to upload documents like invoices, product photos, or compliance certificates. Sometimes, applications are approved automatically, and no documents are needed.
If you don’t see the ‘Apply to sell’ button, it probably means Amazon isn’t accepting new sellers in that category right now.
Violation of Amazon Policies
Amazon is serious about enforcing its rules. If you end up breaking any policies, your entire business on the platform could be at risk.
To avoid any issues, it’s best to thoroughly understand and follow all the rules and regulations, especially for gated categories. However, if Amazon discovers any policy violations, here are some possible outcomes:
1. Your listings could be canceled.
2. You might face restrictions on your listing abilities.
3. Your listing rights could be suspended or even removed altogether.
Keep in mind that Amazon’s disciplinary actions aren’t limited to just these. In severe cases, they might even hold back payments or terminate your business account completely.
Tips for Successful Approval
Getting approved to sell in Amazon’s restricted categories can be tricky, but here are some simple tips to help you succeed:
1. Partner with authorized manufacturers to showcase your legitimacy and trustworthiness.
2. Keep all your documents, like invoices and product information, well-organized and easily accessible. This will help you respond quickly to any requests from Amazon.
3. Keep your seller performance metrics high and positive to show that you’re a reliable seller.
4. Join online forums or groups where other Amazon sellers share their experiences. You can learn a lot from those who have already gone through the process.
5. If you’re selling branded products, think about joining Amazon’s Brand Registry. It adds extra credibility to your listings.
6. Seek legal advice if you’re uncertain about the eligibility of a product by contacting Amazon’s Seller Support.
7. Monitor Amazon’s policy updates by, yet again, referring to Amazon’s Seller Central where all the latest news and guidelines are published.
Final Thoughts
Getting approval to sell in Amazon’s restricted categories can be tough and take a lot of time, but it’s well worth the headache in the long run, not to mention you can contact agencies with a proven success record in similar category approvals.
If you have any questions concerning the topic, make sure to Contact Us and our experts at Weby Corp will gladly help!
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