Have you ever stumbled upon a restricted category on Amazon? Just imagine you’ve been digging all over Amazon only to find the products you want to sell can’t be accessed, and need some more work to explore.
Ask any old account holders and they will have horrendous tales describing the restricted access to sell products in some specific categories on Amazon.
Now, what are these product categories? Why limit the freedom to Amazon sellers? Well, there are many sides to it. And if it is about Amazon, then surely they have their own justified reasons to make some product categories more regulated than others.
Amazon works in the best interests of the customers. Thus for specific products and categories, the e-commerce giant feels the sellers must make extra efforts to win the confidence of the customers.
Amazon has denied access, have I hit a cul de sac?
Well, no. You’ve come across a gated product category that needs you to take additional steps to break the logjam or seek the approval from Amazon before listing the products for sale.
But, you know, there’s an interesting thing. Most Amazon sellers tend to surrender when prompted to go an extra mile for accessing gated product categories. So, you may witness considerably fewer players in these categories and hence less competition.
What does this mean for Amazon customers?
Well, they will continue to receive original quality products from selected and vetted sellers on Amazon. Every seller will be extra cautious to adhere to the guidelines and continue enjoying the exclusivity of the gated categories on Amazon.
Learn about Amazon’s Gated Product Categories
Over the years, Amazon has filtered down product categories that require more checks and scrutiny over who gets to sell their products to the customers.
As of now, Amazon’s gated categories include
- Collectible Coins
- Personal Safety and Household products
- Entertainment Collectibles
- Fine Art
- Holiday Selling Requirements in Toys & Games
- Jewelry
- Join Amazon Subscription Boxes
- Made in Italy
- Music & DVD
- Automotive &Power sports
- Services
- Sports Collectibles
- Streaming Media Players
- Video, DVD, & Blu-ray
- Watches
However, the list is reviewed, from time to time, to introduce new locked sub-categories for making it easy for Amazon sellers.
There is another interesting fact; every marketplace has its own gated product categories.
For instance, if you’re in the UK, product categories with extra restrictions are
- Holiday Selling Requirements in Toys &Games
- Made in Italy
- Streaming Media Players
- Personal Safety and Household products
Likewise, for the US market, Amazon sellers would have to walk extra steps for the following product categories
- Holiday Selling Requirements in Toys & Games
- Amazon Watch Warranty FAQs
- Made in Italy
- Video, DVD, & Blu-ray
- Collectible Coins
- Streaming Media Players
- Personal Safety and Household products
But why such bias? Let’s find out more about it.
Why does Amazon have to gate some products?
Amazon has toiled for years to build a strong reputation and enjoy the status of customers’-favorite worldwide. So, it’s legit to introduce extra, reasonable measures to provide access to exclusive product categories.
For instance, a rare ‘vintage chest’ sold on Amazon should not be a replica, right?. In an otherwise scenario, Amazon’s brand image will be questioned, something the company simply can’t afford and hence prohibits the entry of fakesters on Amazon.
How To Get Ungated On Amazon?
Let’s be reasonable, no two product categories can be ungated in the same manner. However, there are some similarities you’ll come across while seeking approval in multiple product categories.
In many cases, you will get quick ‘Automatic Approvals’ but it’s still unclear which categories are those. But stay in touch with other fellow sellers and you may get some inside information from which brands or categories on Amazon you can expect a faster approval.
Also, you ought to have a sound performance track record on Amazon to enjoy such privileges. What does that mean?
Generally, a FBA seller has a fair chance of receiving approval on gated categories if you’re at par or perform better on these metrics:
- < 4 % = Late Shipment Rate (LSR)
- < 2.5 % = Pre-Fulfillment Cancel Rate (PFCR)
- < 1 % = Order Defect Rate (ODR)
However, if you’re managing the fulfillment on your own (FBM), double your efforts to consolidate your performance on Amazon.
What to do if you’ve to access a gated category on Amazon? Well, it’s pretty simple and all you’ve to do is follow the instructions as they appear on the screen.
#1. Create A Professional Seller Account
Create a Professional Selling account worth $39.99 a month that lets you enjoy selling on Amazon, restricted and non-restricted categories both.
# 2. How are you fairing up on Amazon?
Navigate to your Seller Central account and click on ‘Performance > Customer Satisfaction > Account Health.’ This will give you a clear picture of your account health on Amazon.
For instance, in the Grocery and Gourmet Foods category, sellers are supposed to deliver to specific performance targets.
- Order defect rate should be less than 1%
- Pre-fulfilment cancel rate should be less than 2.5%, and
- The late shipment rate should be less than 4%.
#3. Follow Category-Specific Instructions
Every restricted category comes with its own set of mandatory requirements before you’re allowed entry to sell on Amazon.
For instance, the Fine Arts category only allows sellers with three years of experience in the industry and with a functional website. Also, medical products such as eyeglass frames or tanning devices need FDA approval before selling and may have detailed guidelines for sellers.
So, be prepared to furnish evidence and extra documents to prove your candidature for selling in gated product categories on Amazon.
#4. Select a Wholesaler
If you’re sourcing products from a local US-based supplier, look for profitable wholesale products to cut down your time and efforts. Such Amazon sellers certainly have an edge over those with overseas suppliers where regular supply can be a challenge.
In the end, it is about being sufficiently stocked to meet growing market demand, right?
Also, Amazon expects sellers to produce at least one product invoice. So, place an order for at least 10 items in three different restricted categories. Choose any low-priced products as it’s not intended to generate revenue but only to meet the document requirements.
A Caveat: Ensure your seller account details are the same as that on the product invoices. Verify that your email address, phone number, and home address are all the same.
#5. Submit Invoices in Their Original State
Do not fudge with the invoices as it will only result in failed ungating or rejection. Amazon is very particular with whom should or should not be given the access. Submit the scanned or a copy of originally generated invoices within 3-6 months, mentioning the details of the wholesalers.
A Caveat:Include your business name in the header before scanning or photocopying. Also, mention the ASIN, UPC, and model number for each listed product on the invoice. Use our EAN to ASIN bulk conversion tool and save your time. Some gated categories need high-resolution images.
#6. Submit Your Application
Follow the instructions:
- Visit the Seller Central dashboard> ‘Inventory’> ‘Add a Product.’
- Enter the product you’re looking forward to selling in a specific category.
- Review the search results and click ‘Listing Limitations Apply’ across from the restricted product.
- Notice and click the ‘Request Approval’ button to proceed with submitting the application.
A Caveat: Try submitting your application during the US business hours, and if you receive any reply from Amazon’s support team, then do not procrastinate providing additional information and other details.
You’ll get a confirmatory email whether or not your application is approved. Alternatively, you can confirm the Selling Application Status after visiting your business account.
This pretty much sums up ungating selected Amazon Categories.
Still, have some questions?
Commonly Asked Questions:
1. What if I need some assistance in ungating some product categories on Amazon?
– Yes, Amazon’s ungating services can help you. Typically, they’re third-party companies or vendors that are specialized to unlock gated or restricted product categories.
Overall, ungating is simple if you think through all the details but if you need extra help in some categories, you can approach them.
However, Amazon’s ungating services do not come free; they may charge you as much as $900. Many companies offer a 100% money-back guarantee if they fail to do so.
2. Can I seek brand approval on Amazon?
– It can be tedious but is very much feasible. Some of the gated brands on Amazon include
- Adidas
- AVON
- Beverly Hills
- Body Shop
- Calvin Klein
- Chanel
- DIOR
- Disney
If a seller is keen to sell in any of the restricted brands on Amazon, then pursue the standard process for brand approval. However, having a business experience and a good performance on Amazon give you a leading edge.
3. Can I sell products from other suppliers other than the wholesalers mentioned in the invoices?
– Of course, you can. Once you’ve received the approval, you can do business with any other suppliers.
4. Is a Business License Mandatory on Amazon for Gating Approval?
– No, but some sellers may be asked to produce the same if the restricted category deems fit. However, exhibit complete accuracy on the account details such as email address, IDs, bank account and other details.
5. How Much Time Will It Take To Get Approval?
– Unfortunately, there is no fixed time frame within which you will receive a reply from the Amazon’s support team. It can range from 24hrs to more than a month. So, it all depends on the backlog and the complexities involved in the application process for certain restricted categories.
6. Is the Ungating Process Any Different For New Sellers?
– No, even renowned names are supposed to follow the same procedure as any new seller. However, since the established account holders are already versed in the procedures, they may not take much time to seek the approval. Also, they must be having a good standing on Amazon, so an affirmative reply is a closer probability than someone new.
Overall, there is no procedural difference; it can be as difficult for new sellers as for any old player to get an approval.
7. What can soar up my chances of getting approval for any gated category?
– As a matter of fact, there is no winning formula to get a quick approval for any gated category on Amazon. Yet, you can improve your chances if you qualify for the following:
-> Own a professional seller account
-> Sound connections with established and reliable local wholesalers
-> Proper invoices addressed to your official seller account name and registered address. Ideally, use the recent invoices generated within the last 3 months
-> Local return delivery address
-> Good Account health
Wrapping up
We know facing such restrictions can be frustrating for Amazon sellers. However, they’re equally rewarding if you’re eager to walk that extra mile to enjoy bountiful sales opportunities in gated categories on Amazon.
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