How to Get Approved in Amazon’s Restricted Categories for 2025
Have you noticed that certain categories on Amazon require extra permission (often called “ungating”)? Simply put, some product areas are off-limits unless Amazon gives you the green light. If you want to expand your business or tap into product niches that fewer sellers can access, understanding ungating is crucial.
Below, you’ll learn:
- What “ungating” means and why Amazon restricts certain categories
- The perks of unlocking gated brands and product types
- Which documents and steps you need for successful category approvals
- How long you can expect the process to take
- Pro tips and suggestions—plus our perspective on “ungating services”
Let’s get right to it!
Contents
- What Does It Mean to Be Ungated on Amazon?
- Reasons Behind Restricted Categories
- Why Sellers Should Pursue Ungating
- Categories Typically Requiring Approval
- Basic Requirements Before Starting
- Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Ungated
- Tips for Retail Arbitrage Sellers
- Extra Documents You Might Need
- How Much It Costs (and How Long It Takes)
- Handling Rejections and Retrying
- Strategies for Specific Brands/Categories
- Common Ungating FAQs
What Does “Ungated” Mean on Amazon?
When people talk about “ungating,” they’re referring to Amazon’s approval process for sellers who want to list products in certain categories or for certain brands. Amazon places restrictions in areas where it’s especially important to verify seller legitimacy—either to reduce counterfeit items or to meet safety/legal guidelines.
Reasons Behind Restricted Categories
Amazon has multiple motivations for gating categories:
- Quality Assurance: Ensuring customers get authentic items (no knockoffs)
- Safety Concerns: Particularly for food, beauty, and children’s products
- Legal Requirements: Compliance with government regulations in different regions
- Brand Protection: Some big names only trust a limited network of vendors
For brands like Nike, Disney, or Lego, gating also helps fight counterfeits and maintain brand reputation.
Why Sellers Should Pursue Ungating
Securing ungating status can give you:
- Less Competition, More Profit: Fewer sellers are active in these categories
- Greater Product Variety: Diversify your inventory and stand out
- Higher Seller Credibility: Being approved in restricted niches can set you apart
- Room for Growth: Over time, you’ll have more leverage for scaling your Amazon store
As Amazon continually adds rules, it’s often better to get approved sooner rather than later—before the gate gets even tighter.
Categories Typically Requiring Approval
Below are some examples of categories that often require an application to sell. Rules can evolve, and certain sub-categories might also be gated depending on your seller history:
- Alcohol
- Automotive & Powersports
- Certain Art, Collectibles, or Fine Jewelry
- Health & Personal Care (including dietary supplements)
- Grocery & Gourmet Foods
- Certain Toys & Games sub-brands (e.g., Disney, Lego)
- Beauty Subcategories (like cosmetics, skincare, and hair care)
Additional regulations apply if items are potentially hazardous, heavily regulated, or prone to counterfeiting.
Basic Requirements Before Starting
To begin ungating, you’ll need:
- A Professional Seller Account – That’s $39.99/month. Individual accounts can’t request approval for restricted categories.
- Proper Documentation – Expect to provide invoices (usually within the last 90 days) from reputable suppliers, or official brand authorization letters.
- Adequate Account Metrics – Your “Account Health” should show low defect rates and timely shipping. Aim for:
- Under 1% Order Defect Rate
- Under 2.5% Pre-Fulfillment Cancel Rate
- Under 4% Late Shipment Rate
- Local Returns & Support – If you’re selling in a specific country, you’ll typically need a returns address there (or use FBA) and be able to respond to buyers in the local language.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Ungated
- Set Up/Upgrade Your Amazon Professional Account
- You’ll need a valid payment method, bank info, tax details, and so on.
- Check If a Product Is Restricted
- In Seller Central, go to “Inventory” > “Add a Product,” and type the ASIN or product name. If you see “Listing Limitations Apply,” you might need approval.
- Apply to Sell
- If Amazon says “Apply to Sell,” click that and follow the prompts. Some sellers are automatically approved based on their sales history and performance.
- Provide Invoices/Documentation
- If auto-approval doesn’t happen, buy the minimum number of units (usually 10) from an authorized wholesaler. Make sure the invoice has your business name/address matching your Amazon account.
- Upload Invoice & Any Required Certificates
- Scan clearly, list relevant ASINs, and include wholesaler contact info.
- Wait for Amazon’s Reply
- Approval can come quickly—or take weeks. If you’re declined, you can often reapply.
Invoice Requirements
- Must be dated within the last 90 days.
- Distributor’s contact info must be valid (Amazon may verify).
- No retail receipts (like Walmart) unless Amazon specifically allows it.
- The invoice address has to match your seller account details.
Tips for Retail Arbitrage Sellers
For retail arbitrage folks, this can be trickier because retail receipts often won’t cut it. Here are a few workarounds:
- Start with Ungated Categories – Build a good selling history and get auto-approvals more easily later.
- Buy Wholesale – Even if you’re mostly doing RA, consider purchasing from an authorized supplier just for the ungating application.
- Apply Multiple Times if Rejected – Occasionally, success hinges on which Amazon rep reviews your case.
Extra Documents You Might Need
Certain categories or brands require more than just an invoice:
- Professional/Business Licenses
- Safety Certificates (for items like toys, electronics, or baby products)
- Brand Authorization Letter (for big-name brands like Nike or Disney)
- UPC Codes or GTIN
Always ensure you’re following local laws, especially if you’re dealing with food items, healthcare, or anything regulated by government bodies.
How Much It Costs (and How Long It Takes)
- Cost of Ungating
- Typically free for most categories unless special fees apply (e.g., Fine Jewelry might run you up to $5,000 in some cases).
- Primary expense is buying the 10+ items you’ll use for your invoice submission.
- Timeframe
- A few days to a few weeks is common. Some categories might stretch into months.
- Auto-approvals can happen instantly if your account metrics are strong.
Handling Rejections and Retrying
Don’t be discouraged if Amazon turns you down initially:
- Double-check that your documents match the requirements (correct dates, addresses, etc.).
- Confirm that your invoice lines up with the exact product or ASIN.
- Submit your application again, possibly clarifying details. Some sellers succeed after multiple tries.
Strategies for Specific Brands/Categories
Nike, Disney & Other Big Brands
- Invoice from an Authorized Supplier – 10 or more units, verifying brand authenticity.
- Brand Letter – If you can’t get an invoice, a brand permission letter might be necessary (though big brands rarely hand those out freely).
Toys & Games
- Popular Subcategories – Items like Lego or Pokemon can be gated.
- Extra Holiday Rules – Amazon often adds Q4 restrictions. Keep an eye on your seller metrics, or do FBA to handle shipping demands.
Grocery & Gourmet Foods
- Strict Shelf-Life Rules – Items must be properly sealed with a clear expiration date.
- Local Licenses – Selling perishable goods might involve additional regulations.
Beauty & Cosmetics
- Common Subcategory – Makeup, skincare, and haircare can be big earners but are often gated.
- Extra Paperwork – May require FDA or brand-related documentation.
Looking for a quicker route?
If you’d prefer a speedier approach to getting approved in Amazon’s restricted categories, BuyBotPro might be just the ticket. We rely on it to quickly figure out which products we can actually sell—and it’s a top-notch resource for product sourcing and in-depth analysis. Even better, they offer a 30-day free trial so you can see if it fits your needs.
Here’s a quick rundown of some standout BuyBotPro features:
Auto-Ungating
If you’ve been waiting forever to get ungated in certain categories, BuyBotPro will request those approvals for you automatically and let you know the outcome in no time.Eligibility Checker
It instantly tells you whether you’re allowed to sell a specific product on your Amazon account, so you don’t waste time on items you can’t list.IP Radar
This handy tool checks for any potential intellectual property issues. It flags risky products that could lead to account complications, so you can steer clear.Private Label Alert
Private label goods often come with higher risks. BuyBotPro alerts you to these products, helping you avoid unnecessary problems.
Interested in giving it a whirl? Try out BuyBotPro’s 30-day free trial and see for yourself how it can simplify your workflow.
Common Ungating FAQs
Final Thoughts
Getting ungated on Amazon can unlock brand-new revenue streams and keep you ahead of the competition. Although the process may feel daunting at first, it comes down to having proper documents, meeting performance metrics, and staying persistent. Whether you’re aiming to sell top-name brands or specialized categories, just keep at it—once you’re approved, the benefits often more than justify the initial hassle.
If you have any questions on how to navigate Amazon’s restrictions, never hesitate to reach out to other sellers or consult Amazon’s own resources. Best of luck expanding your FBA business—here’s hoping you get those new categories opened up in no time!
Disclaimer: This content is based on general selling requirements as of 2025. Amazon’s policies, fees, and category restrictions may change, so always review the latest official guidelines in Seller Central.
