Amazon Ungated Categories 2025 Guide

If you search “Ungated Categories on Amazon,” you will find many results explaining gated categories and how to make your seller account ungated! It’s hard to find a detailed and comprehensive guide for newbies.

Although more profit means you must sell restricted categories with low competition and higher profit margins, selling open categories and products is a good start for new sellers. In this article, we will explain what an open category on Amazon FBA Business is; then, we will break down the differences between gated and open categories; finally, we will list more than 20 ungated categories you can sell without permission.

What Is An Ungated Category?

If you have ever tried selling products on Amazon, you may have realized you cannot sell certain categories or products. These restricted (or gated) categories are a challenge for new sellers. So usually, the new sellers start their business with ungated categories that don’t need approval from Amazon.

Amazon has restricted certain categories to protect its customers from counterfeit products and keep its brand reliable. So if you want to sell gated categories, you must prove you are trustworthy.

Why Are Some Categories Restricted on Amazon?

Amazon restricts categories simply because there are reasons to be cautious about them. Some products are illegal to sell in some regions or require the seller to be approved before listing them. Why? One common factor is that the product can potentially harm the buyer’s experience. Almost all products can be faked, but some can be duplicated in a way that violates copyrights. These include postage stamps, fine art, precious jewelry, etc.

Amazon puts the customer first and cares deeply about how customers experience each purchase. That is why the platform has set strict rules for products that can reduce customer satisfaction (such as being fake, arriving broken, not working, etc.). This way, it can review the seller’s history and sales record and let them sell the product only if they are fit to do so. So ungating Amazon products and categories means proving to the platform that you can sell a product genuinely.

What Is the Difference Between Gated And Ungated Categories?

Understanding the difference between these two types of categories is very important, especially for beginner sellers in 2025.

In brief, ungated categories are open to all sellers. You don’t need to take any special steps, like providing licenses or documents, to list your products. But gated categories require Amazon’s approval before you can list and sell anything in them.

In the comparison table below, you’ll see the differences between gated and ungated categories based on different factors, such as whether approval is needed, the level of competition, the risk of selling counterfeit items and more.

After reviewing the table, you’ll have a clear understanding of how these two types of categories differ and which one might be right for your selling strategy.

What Are the Benefits of Selling in Open Categories?

Maybe you’re wondering why ungated categories are so important, especially for beginner sellers? To answer this, we can highlight several key benefits.
The first benefit is that if you choose open categories, you can start selling immediately and don’t need to wait for Amazon’s approval. The second one is that you don’t need any special documents or licenses to list your products. This factor can help you launch your business more easily, without unnecessary complexity. Also, you’ll have access to a wider product selection. Amazon currently offers over 20 open categories, so you can choose from these based on your skills, budget, and preferences.
One of the most important advantages for beginner sellers is that, by focusing on open categories, you can concentrate on learning how to sell on Amazon and how to improve your profit. Because these categories don’t require approval or extra paperwork, you can spend your time and energy learning the platform instead of trying to get ungated.
And finally, another great benefit of open categories is that you can generate cash quickly. Since you don’t need approval, your products can be listed and sold right away, which means you can earn profits faster.
It’s true that these categories have high competition because they’re accessible to all sellers and you’ll need to find creative ways to stand out, but for your first steps in online arbitrage, especially if you have no experience yet, choosing these categories is a smart move. They allow you to start small, build confidence, and eventually expand into more competitive or gated categories once you’re ready.

What Are the Open Categories? (2025 Update)

It is true that the categories listed above are generally open to all sellers, but some specific subcategories may still be gated. For example, one of the most important things to note is that in the Beauty category, topicals such as creams, often require approval. Also, some other categories, like Automotives, are highly restricted. 

Keep in mind that Amazon frequently updates its selling policies, and this list does not guarantee future access. To get the latest and most accurate information, you should regularly review Seller Central or check the Policy Updates section.

Top Gated Categories in 2025

It’s very important to know which gated categories are trending in 2025, especially if you want to adjust your strategy and follow new market trends. Choosing the right gated category can help you grow your business more efficiently. Below is a list of popular gated categories in 2025, along with some initial information to help you get started:

1) Automotive & Powersports

This category includes car parts, motorcycle and ATV accessories. Due to safety and fitment concerns, Amazon requires approval before listing these products. Only trusted sellers are allowed. 

2) Jewelry

Not all jewelry is gated, but high-value or fine jewelry made from precious metals, gemstones or gold usually requires approval. 

3) Luxury Watches

Branded and high-end watches are considered gated because of the risk of counterfeiting. Amazon sets strict limits to protect buyers. Approval usually involves invoices and sometimes brand authorization.

4) Collectible Coins

This may be a lesser-known category, but collectible coins and currency are gated due to their high value and demand. 

5) Fine Art

Some might assume fine art is an open category, but it’s actually highly restricted. Amazon only works with vetted sellers and professional galleries. New seller submissions have been closed for 2025, so only existing, approved sellers can continue listing here. Approval typically requires proof of art authority and a verified gallery portfolio.

6) Food

Especially for perishable or ingestible items, Amazon requires strict approval to ensure food safety. Because these products affect human or pet health, only sellers with proper documentation and compliance can sell them.

7) Health & Personal Care

This category has been gated for years and remains so in 2025. It includes vitamins, dietary supplements, creams, ointments and other topical products. Selling in this category requires compliance with safety regulations, lab testing or product certificates.

It is important to note that this list isn’t exhaustive. Other popular gated categories that you can also see in forceget.com website include:

• Toys & Games (especially during the holiday season)
• Sexual Wellness
• Sports Collectibles
• Professional Medical Supplies

For the most up-to-date list and requirements, always refer to the official Amazon Seller Central or check Amazon’s Policy Updates section regularly.

How to Get Ungated in Amazon Categories?

The application to become ungated on Amazon is very straightforward. First of all, sign up for an Amazon Professional Seller account. The monthly subscription fee is $39.99. Then you need to follow the steps below:

1) Go to “Seller Central,” then choose “Inventory.” Then, choose to Add a Product.

2) Look for the gated product in the category, subcategory, or brand you wish to sell. It is possible to find the product by ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number), name, and brand.

3) Across from the product in the search results, click on “Apply to sell.”

4) Now, you can ask for approval by clicking “Request Approval.” You have to consider Amazon doesn’t accept any requests for specific subcategories.

The specific documents you need to show to Amazon are different and related to the category you’re applying for. But most often, you need to submit invoices and sometimes letters of authorization.

The most common document Amazon asks for is a purchase invoice from a wholesaler or manufacturer. This is a very typical requirement, and Amazon usually wants to see at least one or more invoices dated within the last 90 to 180 days. These documents prove that you purchased the products and that they are legitimate. In general, Amazon requires invoices showing at least 10 units of each product in gated categories. For example, if you’re applying to sell in the health category, you’ll need an invoice for at least 10 units of supplements. It’s important to note that the invoice must be from an official manufacturer or distributor; retail receipts from stores like Walmart are not accepted by Amazon.

Each invoice should clearly show:

• Your business name and address
• Contact information
• Invoice date and invoice number
• Product name and quantity

Another document you might need for ungating is a Letter of Authorization, especially for brands or sensitive categories. This letter should be on official letterhead from the brand, stating you are approved to sell their products on Amazon.

Product compliance documents may also be required. For example, in the food category, you might need FDA approval or lab test certificates. Sometimes Amazon also asks for clear photos of the product and packaging. These photos should show the barcode, serial number, or any important labelling that proves the product matches the invoice.

Finally, Seller Performance Metrics also play an important role in the ungating process. Amazon looks at metrics like Order Defect Rate and late shipment rate to evaluate your seller account.

Final Thoughts

Not all the products and categories are available for selling to all sellers. It has several reasons, but the important point is that as a beginner, you need open products to sell.

There are more than 20 categories that you can use. But to be a professional and scale your business, you need to use more gated categories gradually. If you wanna know more about Amazon FBA & online arbitrage deals, follow our weblog’s articles.

FAQ

• How should beginners choose an Amazon open category based on budget and risk in 2025?
  Beginners should focus on simple, low-cost, low-risk categories like Books, Home & Garden, Toys, or Office Products. These are ungated, have steady demand, and don’t require complex compliance compared to Clothing or Electronics.

• Which open categories are best for lightweight, low-fee FBA products with good sales velocity?
  Arts & Crafts, Office Products, Baby accessories, and parts of Kitchen & Dining often offer small, lightweight items with low FBA fees and consistent year-round demand.

• How can sellers check for hidden brand or hazmat restrictions before sourcing OA products?
  Always test the ASIN in Add a Product, use category checkers in your sourcing tools, look for hazmat warnings, and search for brand/IP complaint history before buying inventory.

• What common policy mistakes do new sellers make in open categories?
  Frequent issues include listing the wrong condition, mismatching variations, using unapproved images, or sourcing gray-market items.

• Which open categories balance good demand with manageable competition for new sellers?
  Books, Crafts, Industrial & Scientific, and niche Kitchen items tend to have lower competition than Clothing or Electronics while still offering strong long-tail demand.

• What tools help sellers identify if a product is gated or restricted during research?
  Tools with integrated restriction checks -plus a quick test in Seller Central’s Add a Product- show brand gating, condition limits, and whether Amazon is competing on the listing.