Amazon Gated Categories & Restricted Products (2025)

Amazon is Increasingly Restricting Brands and Categories

As an Amazon seller, understanding which categories and brands are restricted is crucial to maintaining your account's health. Selling in gated categories or dealing with restricted products without proper authorization can lead to the suspension of your Seller Account.

Amazon imposes three main types of restrictions: gated categories, gated brands, and restricted products.

🕵️‍♂️ What We’ll Cover in This Guide

1. Current Gated Categories on Amazon

2. How to Get Approved (Ungated)

3. Products You Can Sell as a Beginner

4. Restricted Products to Avoid

5. Tools and Resources to Help You Get Ungated

Let’s explore each in detail and help you navigate the complexities of Amazon’s gated and restricted products. 🚀ạn điều hướng các quy định phức tạp về danh mục và sản phẩm bị hạn chế trên Amazon. 🚀

What Are Amazon Gated Categories?

Amazon restricts access to certain product categories, known as gated categories, requiring sellers to obtain permission before listing products. These categories include Jewelry, Dietary Supplements, Grocery, and Watches, among others.

Some categories are easier to get approval for than others and might involve submitting invoices from authorized wholesalers showing purchases of a specific minimum quantity.

In some cases, sellers can gain access through auto-ungating, which doesn’t require additional documentation. Eligibility for auto-ungating depends on factors like the age of your Amazon seller account and your approval in other categories.

Let’s explore the current list of gated and ungated categories on Amazon for 2025.

Amazon Gated Categories List 2025 🔐

Here’s a list of restricted Amazon categories for the USA in 2025:

Category	Example Products	Conditions Allowed
Alcohol	Details in Seller Central	New
Animal-Related Products	Details in Seller Central	New
Automotive & Powersports	Details in Seller Central	New, Used, Collectible
Baby Products	Topicals, food, feeding products, diapers	New
Beauty Products	Cosmetics, skincare, hair care	New
Certified Refurbished	Laptops, smartphones, appliances	Certified Refurbishment
Collectible Coins	Graded/slabbed coins, US Mint sets	Collectible
Cosmetics & Hair Care	Details in Seller Central	New
Dietary Supplements	Details in Seller Central	New
Electronics	Details in Seller Central	New
Grocery & Gourmet Food	Details in Seller Central	New
Jewelry & Precious Gems	Details in Seller Central	New
Watches	All watch types	New

(For the full list, refer to Seller Central or additional resources.)

How to Apply to Sell in Gated Categories 👩‍💻

If you’re interested in selling products in a restricted category, follow these steps to request approval:

1. Log in to Seller Central: Go to the ‘Catalog’ section and select ‘Add Products’.

2. Search for the Product: Enter the product's ASIN, barcode, part number, or name.

3. View Restrictions: Click ‘Show Limitations’ on the search results.

4. Submit Application: Click ‘Apply to Sell’ and follow the instructions.

Amazon may require you to upload:

• Invoices from authorized suppliers.

• Product photos showing labels and packaging.

• Compliance documents (e.g., certifications).

Some applications may be auto-approved, requiring no additional documentation. However, if the ‘Apply to Sell’ button isn’t visible, it’s likely that Amazon isn’t accepting new sellers in that category at the time.

Pro Tips for Getting Approved in Gated Categories

• Use Assistance Services: Companies like BuyBotPro specialize in helping sellers get ungated in Amazon categories.

• Be Prepared: Gather invoices, compliance documents, and high-quality product photos before applying.

• Leverage Auto-Ungating: Focus on categories where you might qualify for automatic approval.

For a step-by-step guide to unlocking gated categories, check out this resource: How to Get Ungated on Amazon: Step-By-Step Guide.

💡 Pro Tip: Start with less competitive categories to build your account’s credibility and gain eligibility for more restricted categories over time.

What Can You Sell on Amazon Without Approval? 🙌

New sellers often face the challenge of navigating Amazon’s restrictions and may feel discouraged when encountering gated products. However, there are still plenty of opportunities to get started and generate profits without requiring prior approval.

Getting Started as a New Seller

Many profitable categories, such as Toys, Grocery, Home & Kitchen, Beauty, and Books, are open to most new sellers. While specific products within these categories might still have restrictions—usually due to brand gating—there are millions of other items to explore.

Focus on ungated categories and products to start selling quickly without unnecessary delays. Avoid spending too much time on the ungating process or creating new listings initially; instead, take advantage of popular categories with high demand.

Amazon Categories Open to New Sellers in 2025 😍

Below is a list of categories where new sellers can find products without approval:

Category	Example Products	Conditions Allowed
Amazon Device Accessories	Accessories for Amazon devices	New, Used
Amazon Kindle	Kindle device accessories	Used
Beauty	Fragrance, skincare, makeup, hair care tools	New
Books	Books, calendars, sheet music, magazines	New, Used
Business Products (B2B)	Office supplies, bulk items	New, Used
Camera & Photo	Cameras, camcorders, telescopes	New, Used
Home & Garden	Furniture, decor, bedding, appliances	New, Used, Collectible
Toys & Games	Board games, action figures, arts & crafts	New, Collectible
Sports	Fitness gear, team sports equipment	New, Used, Collectible
Video Games	Consoles, games, accessories	New, Used, Collectible
Tools & Home Improvement	Power tools, plumbing materials, appliance parts	New, Used

💡 Note: Some categories may have subcategories with different restrictions. Always check specific requirements for the products you wish to sell.

Navigating Amazon Gated Products ⛔

Larger brands are increasingly restricting their products to prevent counterfeit sales and maintain brand integrity. Gaining approval to sell these products involves a process similar to category ungating:

1. Provide Invoices:

   • Submit invoices showing the purchase of a minimum number of units from an authorized distributor.

2. Written Permission:

   • Secure written authorization from the brand owner. However, obtaining such permission from major brands like Nike or Apple can be extremely difficult.

3. Regional Restrictions:

   • Some brands are restricted in specific countries but not others. For instance, you may be allowed to sell a brand’s products in the UK but not in Italy.

4. Product-Specific Gating:

   • Restrictions may apply only to certain items. For example, you might be able to sell a brand’s printers but not its cameras.

Example: Requirements for Gated Product Approval

To gain approval, you may need to:

• Submit three purchase invoices from an authorized distributor.

• Ensure invoices meet these criteria:

  • Dated within the last 180 days.

  • Include your name, address, and the distributor’s details.

  • Show a purchase of at least 30 units across all invoices.

  • Include at least five different products from the same brand.

  • Optional: Hide pricing information.

Pro Tips for Success

• Check Restrictions Easily: Use the Amazon Seller App or the ‘Add Product’ feature in Seller Central to see if a product is gated.

• Start Small: Focus on ungated categories to quickly build experience and profits.

• Plan for Growth: Once established, explore opportunities to unlock gated categories for even greater sales potential.

By starting with ungated categories and understanding Amazon’s rules, you can launch your business with confidence and set the stage for long-term success. 🚀

Amazon Restricted & High-Risk Products 🚨

Many Amazon sellers unknowingly put their accounts at risk by selling restricted or high-risk products. This can lead to account suspension or even permanent bans, making it crucial to understand which products to avoid.

Understanding High-Risk Products

Some products might not be officially restricted by Amazon, but their brand owners actively protect their intellectual property. Selling these products could result in:

• Intellectual Property Infringement Notices:Amazon might allow you to list a product, but brand owners can file complaints that lead to account suspension.

• Direct Legal Threats:Smaller brands or private label sellers may bypass Amazon and contact you directly, demanding you remove their products and threatening legal action.

• Permanent Suspension Risks:For new sellers without an established track record, Amazon may permanently suspend your account, effectively ending your ability to sell on the platform.

💡 Tip: Avoid high-risk brands and switch your focus to safer, lower-risk products to protect your account.

Identifying Restricted & High-Risk Brands 🧐

Here are key strategies to spot products and brands that may jeopardize your seller account:

1. High-Risk Categories:

   • Categories like Sports, Baby, Jewelry, Watches, Grocery, and Health & Beauty often contain gated or restricted products.

2. Private Label Products:

   • These are typically sold by a single seller who owns the brand. Warning signs include:

     • Only one seller on the listing.

     • Unfamiliar brand names not commonly found in retail stores.

3. Chinese Manufacturers:

   • Many Chinese-based manufacturers sell their branded products directly on Amazon. These are often high-risk and best avoided.

4. Copyright or Trademark Symbols:

   • Watch for © or TM in product titles, which indicate brand protection.

5. Limited Sellers:

   • Popular products with only a few established sellers often mean the brand has cleared unauthorized sellers from the listing.

Tools to Avoid Risks & Get Ungated 🛠️

Use tools like BuyBotPro to safeguard your account and streamline your operations:

✅ IP RADAR: Flags products likely to cause Intellectual Property violations.

✅ Eligibility Checker: Instantly checks if you’re approved to sell a product.

✅ Auto-Ungating: Helps you get ungated in restricted categories in seconds.

✅ Private Label Alerts: Warns you about private label brands to avoid.

Start a BuyBotPro Free Trial ◥

Recovering Suspended Accounts

If your account is suspended, services like GetUnsuspended can help:

• Proven Success: 99.6% recovery rate since 2017.

• Account Monitoring: Their Suspension Protect service helps you avoid future issues.

• Money-Back Guarantee: If they don’t recover your account, you don’t pay.

By proactively avoiding high-risk products and using tools to protect your account, you can minimize risks and build a sustainable Amazon business. 🚀

Summary of Gated Categories on Amazon

Selling on Amazon can present challenges, especially with gated categories and restricted products. However, by thoroughly checking product restrictions before listing, you can steer clear of potential issues.

Next Steps for Success

📝 Want to get approval for gated categories?Check out our guide: How to Get Ungated on Amazon in 2025: Step-By-Step Guide.

📝 Need to know which brands to avoid?Explore the full list here: Current List of Amazon Gated & Restricted Brands.

📝 Have a brand to report?Contact us, and we’ll add it to the list: Submit a Brand for Review.

Join the Conversation

We hope this guide to Amazon restricted categories and gated products has been helpful. For further advice or to share your thoughts, join the discussion in the comments below.

💬 Amazon Selling Facebook GroupConnect with both beginner and experienced sellers to discuss Amazon FBA strategies:

• Amazon Selling for Beginners & Pros

📩 Stay UpdatedSign up for our mailing list to get the latest updates on Amazon restricted products and free selling tips.

Useful Resources

• 📝 How to Get Ungated on Amazon in 2025: Step-By-Step Guide

• 📝 Current List of Amazon Gated & Restricted Brands

Good luck, and happy selling! 🚀– James 🙂

FAQs: Amazon Restricted Categories

Q: What does “gated” mean on Amazon?A: A gated category requires sellers to obtain approval from Amazon before listing products in that category or brand.

Q: Which categories are the most restricted?A: Categories with high risks of counterfeiting or customer harm, such as baby products, health & beauty, food, and jewelry, tend to have the most restrictions.

Q: Are video games gated on Amazon?A: Yes, most brands in the Video Games category, like Ubisoft and Activision, require approval. You may need to provide an invoice from an authorized supplier.

Q: Is jewelry gated on Amazon?A: Yes, the Jewelry category requires approval. Even after ungating the category, certain brands might remain restricted.

Q: Are supplements gated on Amazon?A: Yes, selling supplements requires a professional account in good standing. You must submit invoices, photos, and regulatory documentation for approval.

Q: Can new sellers sell in gated categories?A: It’s possible, but new sellers may find it challenging. Building a strong sales history in ungated categories first is often recommended.

Q: Are there always ungated categories?A: Yes, categories like Books, Home & Kitchen, and Toys & Games are generally open to all sellers. However, specific products within these categories may still have restrictions.

Q: What are gated products on Amazon?A: Gated products are items within restricted categories that require special approval to sell. Sellers must meet Amazon’s documentation and performance standards.

Q: How do gated and ungated categories differ?A: Gated categories require seller approval before listing products, while ungated categories allow immediate product listings.

Q: How can I check if a product is gated?A: Log into Seller Central and attempt to list the item. If you see “Listing Limitations Apply,” the product is gated.