How to Get Approved for Amazon Restricted Categories

Does this situation sound familiar? After doing your product research and keyword research, you find the perfect product to sell on Amazon — it’s in demand, and competition is low. However, after some additional research, you find out that you might not be able to sell it because it falls into one of Amazon’s restricted categories. 

Selling on Amazon FBA presents a great opportunity for small to large businesses, but specific categories and products require special approval before they can get listed on the marketplace. 

Amazon has these restrictions to maintain quality, safety, and compliance with local and regional regulations. Understanding the requirements for Amazon-restricted products and categories will help Amazon sellers avoid unnecessary delays and potential account suspensions.

In this guide, we’ll explain the differences between restricted categories and products, Amazon’s compliance policies, and the steps to successfully get ungated in a restricted category.

Restricted categories vs. restricted products on Amazon

Not all Amazon restrictions are the same. According to Amazon’s compliance and safety regulations, some product categories require approval, while others may allow certain items but restrict specific products within an unrestricted category.

Understanding the difference is crucial to ensuring compliance with Amazon’s TOS and avoiding issues with your Amazon seller account or when launching new products. Sellers who wish to operate successfully on Amazon should be well-versed in Amazon’s guidelines and approval processes.

Restricted categories

Amazon has specific categories that require approval before selling. These are often referred to as “gated categories” and include:

• Collectibles Coins
• Entertainment Collectibles
• Fine Art
• Music and DVD
• Sports Collectibles
• Video, DVD & Blu-ray
• Watches

There are a few other main ungated categories that, while they don’t require approval, certain sub-categories or products may require approval within that main category. Those categories are:

• Baby Products (excluding apparel)
• Consumer Electronics
• Grocery & Gourmet Foods
• Office Products
• Outdoors
• Personal Computers
• Pet Supplies
• Software
• Toys & Games
• Video Games

To sell in these categories, you must view the selling guidelines for the desired category and apply for approval. These product restrictions help customers receive safe, high-quality, and authentic products.

Restricted products

Beyond restricted categories, Amazon has a list of restricted products, meaning certain items are prohibited or limited due to safety, legal, or ethical concerns. These include:

• Alcohol
• Animals & Animal-Related Products
• Art – Fine Art
• Art – Home Decor
• Automotive and powersports
• Composite Wood Products
• Cosmetics and Skin and hair care
• CPAP Cleaning and Disinfecting Devices
• Currency, Coins, Cash Equivalents, and Gift Cards
• Dietary supplements
• Drugs and drug paraphernalia
• Electronics
• Explosives, weapons, and related items
• Export Controls
• Food & Beverage
• Gambling & Lottery
• Hazardous and prohibited items
• Human Parts & Burial Artifacts
• Jewelry & Precious Gems
• Laser products
• Lighting
• Lock Picking & Theft Devices
• Medical devices and accessories
• Offensive and Controversial Materials
• Other restricted products
• Pest control products and pesticides
• Plant and Seed Products
• Postage meters and stamps
• Prohibited Product Claims
• Recalled products
• Recycling electronics
• Refrigerants: Ozone-Depleting Substances and Substitutes
• Strike anywhere matches
• Surveillance Equipment
• Tobacco & Tobacco-Related Products
• Warranties, Service Plans, Contracts, and Guarantees
• Upholstered Furniture, Bedding, & Other Quilted Products
• Federal Emissions – Products requiring EPA Certificate of Conformity
• Children’s footwear
• Children’s apparel
• Automotive tires, wheels, and rims
• Washington State expanded polystyrene

Each is linked to a page within Seller Central so you can learn more about these restricted product types. To see this full list of Amazon-restricted products, visit Amazon’s restricted products page. 

What are other Amazon restrictions sellers must know?

In addition to product-specific limitations, Amazon imposes other restrictions to maintain compliance with laws and customer trust. Amazon does not want sellers making any exaggerated product claims about the products they sell. 

A note on Amazon’s ‘Prohibited Product Claims’ policy

Amazon strictly prohibits misleading or unverified product claims. This includes:

• Medical claims: Any claim suggesting a product cures or prevents diseases.
• Eco-friendly or organic claims: Must be backed by certifications.
• Weight loss claims: Subject to regulatory approval.
• Anti-aging or beauty product claims: Needs clinical proof and proper approvals.
• Nutritional supplements: Any claim regarding health benefits must comply with FDA regulations.
• Pet food and products: Cannot make false claims about health benefits without regulatory approval.

Sellers should ensure their listings adhere to Amazon’s product policy to avoid listing removals or account suspensions. Violating these guidelines can lead to a significant loss in revenue and seller reputation.

Ensure you are always updated with Amazon’s TOS and listing guidelines. 

How to sell in an Amazon-restricted category

Selling in a restricted category can be valuable because the added friction creates a barrier to entry. Other Amazon sellers may avoid these categories so they don’t have to go through the approval process. To sell in a restricted category, follow these steps:

1. Confirm eligibility: Check Amazon’s category requirements by adding a new product or ASIN to your catalog. Amazon will alert you if you need to request approval for the product or category and let you know the required documents. 
2. Prepare documentation: Gather necessary documents like invoices, certifications, and supplier details.
3. Apply for approval: Submit your application through your Amazon Seller Central account.
4. Monitor your status: Track progress and respond to any Amazon inquiries promptly.

Breaking out by category, here are key considerations:

• Health & Personal Care: This may require FDA compliance and verified suppliers.
• Fine Jewelry: This may require proof of authenticity and quality certifications.
• Grocery & Gourmet Foods: Must ensure food safety compliance and proper labeling.
• Toys & Baby Products: This may require safety testing and compliance with child safety regulations.
• Pet Products: This may require compliance with veterinary health and safety standards.
• Sports Collectibles: This may require authentication and proof of provenance.

Each category has its own rules, and failure to meet these requirements can result in denied applications or restricted account privileges.

How to apply to get ungated on Amazon

Required documents:

Amazon typically asks for:

• Invoices from reputable wholesalers or manufacturers.
• Certifications proving product compliance (e.g., FDA, USDA, ISO).
• Supplier information verifying product authenticity and legal sourcing.
• Licenses & permits if required by law.
• Testing and Compliance Reports for high-risk categories.
• Business credentials such as business licenses or tax information.

Common mistakes sellers make when applying for category approval

• Submitting incomplete or incorrect invoices.
• Using unauthorized or non-reputable suppliers.
• Not meeting Amazon’s customer experience metrics (e.g., high return rates, low ratings).
• Failing to read and follow Amazon’s category-specific requirements.
• Providing documentation that does not match the registered business name.
• Neglecting to include proper UPC or EAN codes where required.

What happens if you violate Amazon category restrictions?

Violating Amazon’s restricted category rules can result in:

• Listing removal: Your product may be taken down without notice.
• Account suspension: Repeated violations can lead to account deactivation.
• Legal consequences: Legal action may be taken in cases of counterfeit or illegal sales.
• Loss of seller privileges: You may lose eligibility to apply for restricted categories.

To avoid these penalties, ensure compliance and proactively monitor your listings. Sellers should also keep up with Amazon’s policy updates to prevent accidental violations.

Get approved for Amazon-restricted categories and start selling

Understanding Amazon’s restricted brands, categories, and product regulations is essential for long-term success. 

Sellers can access high-demand categories by providing the required documents and completing Amazon’s approval process.

To stay informed, sellers should regularly check Amazon’s restricted categories and product lists. Failing to comply with Amazon’s rules can lead to setbacks, but taking proactive steps can ensure a smooth approval process.