How to Get Ungated in Health and Beauty on Amazon?

Selling Beauty and Health Products on Amazon: A Guide to Getting Approved

Amazon has become a prime platform for individuals looking to earn income from home by selling products. However, it’s not as simple as listing “anything” for sale. The platform has stringent policies and restrictions, especially in certain product categories like beauty and health.

Some categories are “gated,” meaning new sellers need special approval to sell products in these areas. While these restrictions might seem challenging, they exist to ensure customer satisfaction and protect sellers from legal issues. For example, gating helps prevent the sale of counterfeit or unsafe products, maintaining trust and safety for both buyers and sellers.

This guide will focus on Amazon’s gated beauty and health categories, explaining what it means to “ungate” a product and providing steps to gain approval to sell in these high-demand markets.

What Does "Ungating" Mean on Amazon?

When selling on Amazon, the term “gated” refers to product categories that require approval from Amazon to list items for sale. These categories often include products directly impacting customer health and well-being, such as beauty, health, and personal care items.

“Ungating” is the process of obtaining Amazon’s permission to sell in these restricted categories. For instance, getting ungated in the beauty category means providing Amazon with specific documentation and meeting its standards. Once approved, you can sell branded beauty and health products.

Examples of gated categories include:

Fine Art
Beauty and Cosmetics
Jewelry
Health and Personal Care

These categories are regulated to ensure product quality and customer safety, reducing the risk of counterfeit or harmful items entering the marketplace.

Why Are Health and Beauty Products Restricted?

The health and beauty category on Amazon is sensitive due to the nature of the products, which are often applied directly to the body or face. To protect customers, Amazon has strict guidelines to prevent counterfeit, unsafe, or low-quality products from being sold.

For example, skincare and cosmetics must meet specific safety standards to avoid adverse reactions like rashes or irritation. By restricting these categories, Amazon ensures a positive experience for customers and reduces the likelihood of legal issues for sellers.

Can You Sell Branded Beauty and Health Products on Amazon?

Yes, but only after getting ungated. The process involves obtaining approval to sell products like:

Skincare items
Makeup and cosmetics
Hair care products
Fragrances
Men’s grooming tools
Professional salon and spa products

While some subcategories may not be restricted (e.g., selling hairbrushes), products like hair serums or oils often require ungating. The process ensures that all listed products meet Amazon’s quality and safety requirements.

Steps to Get Ungated in Beauty and Health on Amazon

To gain approval for selling in gated categories, you’ll need to demonstrate compliance with Amazon’s standards. Here’s how the process works:

Open Amazon Seller Central: Log into your account and navigate to the “Inventory” section.
Add a Product: Search for the item you want to sell.
Request Approval: If the category is gated, click “Listing Limitations Apply” and select “Request Approval.”
Submit Documentation: Provide the required documents, such as:
- Manufacturer invoices (dated within the past 180 days)
- Certificates of Analysis (COA)
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certifications
- FDA licenses for certain products

Amazon will review your application, which can take anywhere from a few days to weeks. If your request is denied, it may be due to incomplete or incorrect documentation.

Documents Required for Ungating

Amazon may ask for various documents, depending on the product. These typically include:

Invoices: Proof that your products are sourced from reputable manufacturers or distributors.
COA: Certificate of Analysis to verify product safety.
GMP Certificate: Proof that products are manufactured in compliance with good practices.
FDA Licenses: For products that affect physical health.

Providing accurate and complete information will expedite the approval process.

Should You Do It Yourself or Use a Service?

Ungating can be a complex and time-consuming process, especially for new sellers unfamiliar with Amazon’s requirements. There are two main approaches:

DIY Approach: Follow Amazon’s steps and submit documents yourself.
Professional Services: Work with experienced teams that specialize in Amazon ungating.

Hiring a service provider can save time, reduce stress, and improve your chances of approval. Companies like offer ungating services, managing the entire process for you.

How Long Does It Take to Get Ungated?

There’s no fixed timeline for Amazon to process ungating requests. Typically, the review process can take a few days to several weeks, depending on the complexity of the application and the accuracy of the submitted documents.

If your request is delayed, ensure that your documents are complete and meet Amazon’s requirements. Professional ungating services can often expedite the process, with some approvals completed in 7–14 days.

Final Thoughts

Selling health and beauty products on Amazon can be highly profitable but requires navigating strict approval processes. Gating ensures that customers receive safe, high-quality products while protecting sellers from potential liabilities.

By understanding the requirements and leveraging professional services like those offered, you can streamline the process, gain approval, and expand your business in lucrative categories like beauty and health.