How to Get Ungated on Amazon
People have a lot of questions about selling on Amazon, but one of the things people ask about the most is how to sell products that are restricted by Amazon, and how long it takes to get approval.
We’ve put together all of the information you need to know about how to get ungated on Amazon easily. Keep reading to learn what ungated meaning is, and how you can get approved to sell restricted products.
Table of contents
- What is an Amazon “Gated” Category?
- What Does it Mean to be “Ungated” on Amazon?
- Why are some categories on Amazon restricted?
- Why Should You Try to Get Ungated on Amazon?
- How to Quickly Identify a Gated or Ungated Product Without an Amazon Seller Account
- How to Get Ungated on Amazon (Four Easy Steps)
- How to Get Ungated on Amazon in Each Category
- Amazon Ungating Services: Are They Worth It?
- 5 Important Tips for Getting Ungated on Amazon
- FAQs
What is an Amazon “Gated” Category?
Amazon’s “gated” categories include items that people are not allowed to sell unless they are granted special permission. Here are some categories that are currently gated:
Automotive and Powersports
Clothing, Accessories, Shoes, and Luggage
Collectible Books
Collectible Coins
Entertainment Collectibles
Fine Art
Fine Jewelry
Gift Cards
Grocery and Gourmet Foods
Kindle Accessories
Major Appliances
Sexual Wellness
Sports Collectibles
Textbook Rentals
Toys & Games (Holiday Guidelines)
Video, DVD, and Blu-ray
Watches
Wine
What Does it Mean to be “Ungated” on Amazon?
Being “ungated” happens when you gain approval from Amazon to sell products from one of the above categories. Ungating opens new opportunities for sellers who want to try selling items from a variety of popular categories that are not readily available to all sellers. We will also discuss why some products are gated, and how you can benefit from ungating.
Why are Some Categories on Amazon Restricted?
Most gated categories on Amazon contain products that are fairly expensive, sensitive, rare, or related to health, safety, or security. Amazon may gate these products due to several reasons:
Most of the items in that category require a license or special certificate (such as Grocery and Food).
Some products in that category are dangerous and must be handled with care (like Weapons and Ammunition).
Amazon forbids selling these kinds of products due to various legal reasons (including some medicines, alcohol, or gambling items).
The seller needs to confirm their trustworthiness to ensure they aren’t selling counterfeit items (for example, Name Brand products).
Amazon needs to ensure that you can guarantee you will never sell used items from that category (like Beauty and Baby Products).
Most of the restricted products are highly popular and sell very well. That’s why it’s worth it to become ungated so you can sell products from the gated categories.
Why Should You Try to Get Ungated on Amazon?
Many sellers avoid gated categories, while others are willing to put in a bit of effort to open up new sales opportunities. That is why so many sellers in these categories have less sellers to compete with. Other benefits include:
More inventory options
Higher profits
Access to some of the most highly demanded items
How to Quickly Identify a Gated or Ungated Product Without an Amazon Seller Account
Existing Amazon sellers can always ask members of the support team if a specific product is gated. However, if you are just starting your business, you’ll need another method. This is where the AMZScout Online Arbitrage and Dropshipping Extension comes in handy.
Let’s look at how you can use this tool to quickly determine if a product is gated or ungated.
1. Open the AMZScout Dropshipping, Arbitrage, and Wholesale Extension.
2. Check the box to include the add-on with your AMZScout subscription.
3. Find the product that you want to check on Amazon.
4. To find out if a product is gated, go to its listing. The app appears as a modal window so you can see key information about the product right on the page. Look to see if the item is ungated.
Once you know if an item is gated, you can begin taking the necessary steps in order to sell in the restricted category.
How to Get Ungated on Amazon (Four Easy Steps)
To get ungated on Amazon, follow the four easy steps below.
1. Sign up for a Professional Selling Plan.
Only people with a Professional Selling Plan are allowed to sell in restricted categories. There’s a $39.99 monthly fee for this plan.
2. Find the product you want to sell.
Log into your Amazon account and under the inventory menu, select “Add Product”. Then perform a search for your product.
3. Open the application form via the “Listing Limitations May Apply” link.
Once you’ve found the product you want to sell in the search results, click the “Listing Limitations May Apply” link next to the item, then click “Request Approval”.
4. Fill out the application and request approval.
Follow the on-screen instructions and complete the application form for your product. Make sure you have all the information you need before you start filling out the form.
How to Get Ungated on Amazon in Each Category
There are currently 18 gated categories on Amazon. Some of Amazon’s restricted categories just require filling out a quick questionnaire, while others will ask you for additional details and forms. Here’s a rundown of all of Amazon’s restricted categories, and the steps you need to take.
1. How to get ungated in the Grocery and Gourmet Foods Category
This category fits all, from retail arbitrage to wholesalers. That’s why it has one of the most complicated application processes and some of the tightest guidelines. Take the following steps if you want to be ungated:
1. Meet the required performance targets.
Your order defect rate needs to be below 1%, your pre-fulfillment cancel rate needs to be below 2.5%, and your late shipment rate needs to be below 4%.
2. Create an account with a wholesaler.
Find a trusted wholesaler to work with. Sellers have reported having success with USGrocer and DollarDays. When signing up for an account, make sure to use the same mailing address and email address that’s listed on your Amazon account.
3. Place an order.
You’ll need to place an order for the products you want to sell because you’ll need to provide Amazon with copies of your invoices as a part of the application process.
4. Scan your invoices.
Scan your invoice or take a photo of it. Finally, you’ll need to add the ASIN number of the product on Amazon next to the item description on the invoice in the image.
5. Take a screenshot of the ASIN.
Go to the Amazon website and locate the listing for the product you want to sell. Scroll down the listing until you find the product information and take a screenshot of it. Make sure the image includes the ASIN, UPC, and item model number.
6. Submit your application.
Once you have all of these documents, you’re ready to submit your application.
Though some supplements may be included in this category, check this subcategory thoroughly, since it is close to medicine.
2. How to get ungated in the Fine Art Category
This category is only for fine art dealers and gallery owners. Here are the requirements:
1. Be a previously established art dealer.
To sell in the Fine Art category, Amazon requires that you have already been in the business of selling art for at least three years.
2. Have a website.
You’ll need to have your website and a significant online presence. In other words, you need to be known within the industry.
3. How to get ungated in the Fine Jewelry Category
Fine jewelry is probably the hardest category to get into. If you’re interested in applying, here are the requirements you’ll have to meet:
1. Meet the required performance targets.
Your order defect rate needs to be below 1%, your pre-fulfillment cancel rate needs to be below 2.5%, and your late shipment rate needs to be below 4%.
2. Have an established jewelry business.
Only people who have already worked in the jewelry industry with an established business can sell these items on Amazon. Your business must also have annual revenues over $50,000.
3. Pay the required fee.
In order to get ungated in this category, you’ll need to pay a $5,000 entry fee.
4. Submit your products for testing.
You will be required to submit your products for testing to ensure that they meet Amazon’s Quality Assurance Standards.
4. How to get ungated in the Wine Category
This is another category to avoid, as the requirements are just too strict. Keep in mind, this is what Amazon requires from its wine sellers:
1. Be registered as a winery or importer.
Anyone who sells wine on Amazon needs to be registered as a domestic winery, a California winery or importer, or a wholesaler with retail sales privileges.
2. Meet shipping requirements.
All wine sellers must ship to at least one state supported by Amazon.
3. Comply with local regulations.
The alcohol industry is heavily regulated, and anyone selling wine must adhere to these regulations. For example, if you sell Alcohol in the UK, you must follow UK laws.
5. How to get ungated in the Watches Category
While there are still requirements that need to be met here, many sellers have had success ungating this category. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
1. Meet the required performance targets.
Your order defect rate needs to be below 1%, your pre-fulfillment cancel rate needs to be below 2.5%, and your late shipment rate needs to be below 4%.
2. Use the UPC code when listing products.
All watches must be listed with the manufacturer’s UPC code.
3. Test your watches.
When selling pre-owned watches, you’ll need to have the ability to test their accuracy and water resistance. If your watches are connected to any brands, you need to get their approval first.
6. How to get ungated in the Collectible Coins Category
Due to the large number of requirements, most sellers steer clear of this category. Still, if you’re interested, here’s what you’ll need to do.
1. Maintain proper memberships.
Collectible coin sellers are required to be members of one of the following organizations:
PNG
ICTA
PCGS
NGC/PMG
2. Have your coins graded.
At least 70% of your coins need to be graded by either NGC or PCGS. All coins valued over $1,500 must be graded without any exceptions.
3. Have an anti-money laundering program.
You’ll need to have an anti-money laundering program in place, and be prepared to provide Amazon with copies of documentation of this program.
4. Have a company website.
Collectible coin sellers are required to have a company website, and will need to provide the link to Amazon.
7. How to get ungated in the Collectible Books Category
Selling books on Amazon is easy unless your book is somehow unique. Here’s how to ungate the Collectible Books category:
1. Meet the required performance targets.
Your order defect rate needs to be below 1%, your pre-fulfillment cancel rate needs to be below 2.5%, and your late shipment rate needs to be below 4%.
2. List your products under their ISBNs.
All collectible books need to be listed using the publisher’s ISBN-10 or ISBN-13 if it’s available. If the book was published pre-ISBN, then sellers will need to create a new product page.
3. Books must be collectible.
Any book listed as “collectible” must be signed, a first edition, or possess another unique quality.
8. How to get ungated in the Sports Collectibles Category
If you want to sell products in this category, you must adhere to the following guidelines in order to be accepted:
1. Meet the required performance targets.
All sports collectibles sellers on Amazon must maintain an order defect rate below 0.75%.
2. Get your products authenticated.
The majority of your products must be authenticated or graded by entities that have the right to confirm products as “Sports Collectibles”.
9. How to get ungated in the Entertainment Collectibles Category
Entertainment Collectibles are one of the easiest restricted categories on Amazon to get ungated for. There are only a few requirements:
1. Meet the required performance targets.
Your order defect rate needs to be below 1%, your pre-fulfillment cancel rate needs to be below 2.5%, and your late shipment rate needs to be below 4%.
2. Comply with listing requirements.
When creating your product listings, make sure to adhere to the category-specific requirements.
Unlike other categories, there isn’t an application form to fill out here. Instead, you’ll have to email cfa-application@amazon.com.
10. How to get ungated in the Video, DVDs, and Blu-rays Category
If you want to sell any video content on Amazon, you need to adhere to the following guidelines:
1. Meet the required performance targets.
Your order defect rate needs to be below 1%, your pre-fulfillment cancel rate needs to be below 2.5%, and your late shipment rate needs to be below 4%.
2. Provide Amazon with your inventory sources.
Because of pirating issues, you’ll need to let Amazon know where you’re getting your inventory from so they can verify that your products are legitimate.
3. Let Amazon know about your plans.
When selling any type of video content, Amazon requires you to estimate how many units you plan to sell.
11. How to get ungated in the Toys & Games Category (During the Holidays)
If you want to sell in this category during the holiday season, make sure you meet all of these requirements before the holidays arrive:
1. Meet the required performance targets.
As the holidays approach, your order defect rate needs to be below 1%, your pre-fulfillment cancel rate needs to be below 1.75%, and your late shipment rate needs to be below 4%.
2. Ship the required number of products.
You must have shipped a certain number of products before November. These sales aren’t required to be from the Toys & Games category specifically.
12. How to get ungated in the Automotive and Powersports Category
Any products that are used with motor vehicles will fall into this category. Luckily, there aren’t many requirements in order to get approved.
1. Have your own website.
Automotive sellers will need to have their own business website before they can sell their products on Amazon.
2. Use compliant product images.
You’ll need to use images of your products that are compliant with Amazon’s requirements and can be reviewed on an independent website.
3. Use UPC codes.
All of your products will need to be listed with the proper UPC code.
4. Review the Automotive & Powersports Part Finder and Fitment Data Page.
You'll need to review this document if you plan to sell fitment-specific products.
13. How to get ungated in the Clothes, Accessories, and Luggage Category
Clothing and Shoes is a restricted category that’s fairly easy to get approved for. Here we go:
Fill out the application
Have your own retail store (a small eCommerce website will work).
14. How to get ungated in the Major Appliances Category
There are no application requirements for this category. However, follow these steps to improve your chances:
Provide Amazon with all relevant documents.
Follow standard major appliance regulations.
15. How to get ungated in the Kindle Accessories Category
The only requirement is:
Products sold with Amazon copyright names (including Kindle, Echo, etc.) must comply with the Amazon Device Accessories Fair Use and Compatibility Guidelines.
Keep in mind that Amazon takes a 45% cut from all Kindle accessory sales.
16. How to get ungated in the Sexual Wellness Category
As this is close to a Health and Beauty category, all you need to do here is fill out the application and wait for a reply.
17. How to get ungated in the Gift Cards Category
This category isn’t actually gated, but to get a restriction, make sure the cards you sell have the correct advertised balance remaining.
18. How to get ungated in the Textbook Rentals Category
Amazon is not currently accepting applications for this category.
Amazon Ungating Services: Are They Worth It?
Generally, the Amazon ungating service will help you with the application process and ensure that you have all of the documentation you need to get approved. It works just like FBA services.
Prices range anywhere from $200 to $900, depending on the company you use and the category for which you’re trying to get approved.
Many Amazon ungating services advertise a 100% approval rate, so if you’re looking to get approved fast, this may be your best option. Although these services are not cheap, they can help you save time and energy getting your categories approved, which will save you money in the future.
5 Important Tips for Getting Ungated on Amazon
Ungating may take some time. To get your approval faster, we suggest you follow these tips:
Always apply during US working hours. If you apply at night, your application can just move to the end of the list or even get lost.
Provide a correct and finalized invoice in a PDF. Do not change anything in a standard invoice.
Include your contact details in your application. This adds to your trustworthiness.
Keep your performance numbers strong. Sellers with good numbers will gain approval faster.
Provide the ASIN for each product you need to ungate. The more detailed info you provide the better.
FAQs
1. How much is the Ungating fee on Amazon?
For most categories, ungating won’t cost you anything - you just need to comply with the demands and provide the necessary certificates as needed. However, some categories (like Fine Jewellery) can require paying up to $5,000 of a non-refundable approval fee.
2. Which categories are ungated on Amazon in 2024?
New sellers can start with these ungated categories:
Amazon Kindle
Books
BabyPillows, Shampoos, Toys, Bottles, Diapers, and Pacifiers
Beauty & Personal Care
Camera and Photo
Home & Garden
Cell Phones and Accessories
Industrial and Scientific
Musical Instruments
Major Appliances
Tools and Home Improvement
Sports and Outdoor
Note that some of these categories may have gated subcategories within them, though most of the products are unrestricted.
3. What does getting “ungated” mean?
When you get “ungated” with a certain category, you can start selling this category's products easily without the need for additional approval.
4. Is it easy to get ungated?
Yes! All you have to do is comply with all of the requirements set forth by Amazon for a certain category, and go through the four easy steps mentioned in this article.
Conclusion
Many sellers don’t bother with the ungating process because they feel it’s just too daunting and not worth it. But sellers who put in the time and effort can be greatly rewarded with less competition and higher profits. So always do your research before writing off a restricted product. If you think you can get approved, go for it.
