Amazon's Gated & Ungated Categories: A Detailed Insight

Understand Amazon's Gated & Ungated Categories

• Postage stamps

• Collectible Coins

• Fine Art

• Jewelry

• Join Amazon Subscription Boxes

• Made in Italy

• Music & DVD

• Services

• Sports Collectibles

• Streaming Media Players

• Video, DVD & Blu-ray

• Watches

• Sony PlayStation Requirements in Video Games

Why Amazon Gates Categories

1. Ensure Product Authenticity: Combat counterfeit goods and protect brand integrity. Some products are prone to fraud, such as sports souvenirs, where more than half of the products sold are counterfeit.

2. Guarantee Quality and Safety: Ensure products meet health and safety standards. Some categories pose safety or health risks. Poor quality or counterfeit auto parts can cause cars to malfunction, and homemade wine can cause discomfort. Therefore, these categories are subject to strict separation.

3. Protect Consumers and Amazon: A poor customer experience can damage a company's reputation. By restricting certain categories and reducing counterfeit and low-quality products, Amazon can protect consumers and also benefit their brand image, creating a win-win situation.

How to Check If A Product on Amazon Is Gated

1. Log into your Seller Central account;

2. Find the "Catalog" option on the homepage or menu of Seller Central and click to enter;

3. On the Catalog page, find and click the "Add a Product" option;

4. On the "Add a Product" page, you can search for the product you want to check by ASIN, product name, or other related information;

5. After selecting the target product, go to its page and check the information at the top of the page;

6. At the top of the product page, you will see information about whether the product is gated. Typically, if a product is restricted, it will display a corresponding label or status.

Please note that these steps may change depending on updates in the Amazon Seller Central. Make sure to follow the most current interface and guidelines. Additionally, you might sometimes need to submit documents or applications to lift restrictions on a product, depending on Amazon's specific gating policy on the product or category.

The Challenges of Gated Categories

• Barrier to Entry: New and small sellers may find it difficult to meet the stringent requirements for selling in gated categories.

• Increased Costs: The approval process might involve additional fees, such as purchasing products for testing or obtaining certifications.

• Limited Flexibility: Sellers are restricted in diversifying their product range swiftly, potentially hindering their ability to respond to market trends.

How to Get Approval of Gated Categories from Amazon

• Log into your Amazon Seller Central account;

• From the Inventory menu select Add a Product;

• Search for the item you want to sell；

• In the search results, click the Listing limitations apply link next to the item；

• Click the Request Approval button to begin the application process.

• Log into your Seller Central Account;

• Select Add Inventory;

• Select Add a Product;

• Click the link Selling Application Status.

Conclusion