How to Get Ungated on Amazon in 2025 – A Must Read!
For Amazon sellers aiming to maximize their sales, a critical question often arises: how to get ungated on Amazon. If you’re new to selling on the platform and unsure about what “ungating” means, don’t worry! This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about getting ungated on Amazon.
What Does It Mean to Get Ungated on Amazon?
Getting ungated on Amazon simply means receiving approval to sell products in restricted or “gated” categories. These categories often require additional verification before sellers can list items for sale. Examples of gated categories include music and DVDs, fine art, and topicals. Meanwhile, some categories, such as toys, groceries, and beauty, are not gated at the category level but may have restricted subcategories or brands.
It’s worth noting that “ungating” applies not just to categories but also to specific brands. For instance, sellers often ask how to get ungated for grocery items or Nike products. This essentially means they’re looking to gain approval to sell those specific items or categories.
Why Does Amazon Restrict Products and Categories?
Amazon is a customer-focused platform, and its restrictions are in place to maintain consumer trust and prevent fraudulent activities like selling counterfeit products. Some brands also impose restrictions to maintain brand integrity and control their supply chains.
It’s important to remember that approval for a category does not mean unrestricted access. Restrictions can apply at the category, subcategory, or ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) level. Certain brands or products within a category may also have separate restrictions.
What Are the Requirements for Getting Ungated?
The requirements for ungating vary based on the category and your seller history, but Amazon typically asks for:
- A valid business address.
- Business tax information (SSN or EIN).
- A government-issued photo ID for the seller or an authorized representative.
- Proof of a relationship with a wholesale distributor.
- An invoice showing the purchase of at least 10 units of the product in question.
- Photos of the product and packaging to verify compliance.
- Certifications or testing documents, if applicable.
- Authorization letters from the brand owner (for specific brands).
Additionally, sellers should maintain strong seller metrics, such as:
- An order defect rate below 1%.
- A pre-fulfillment cancellation rate below 1.75%.
- A late shipment rate below 4%.
Sellers should also be familiar with laws and certifications related to the products they want to sell.
Amazon Invoice Requirements
As part of the approval process, Amazon requires proof of purchase from a reputable wholesale distributor. Retail receipts (e.g., from Walgreens) are generally not accepted.
To ensure your invoice is valid:
- It must be less than 180 days old.
- Your business information on the invoice should match your Amazon seller account.
- The supplier’s contact information must be clear, as Amazon may contact them for verification.
- The invoice must detail the purchase of at least 10 units of the same product.
- Include the product’s Amazon ASIN on the invoice (handwritten is acceptable).
- It must be a finalized invoice, not a pro forma or order confirmation.
Some tips from experienced sellers include highlighting relevant details on the invoice, taking clear product photos, and annotating the invoice for clarity.
Does it cost anything to get ungated?
While Amazon doesn’t charge for ungating, you’ll need to purchase inventory to meet the requirements. Finding a wholesaler with low minimum order quantities can help keep costs down. Since you only need to buy 10 units, this process doesn’t have to be excessively expensive.
Using Amazon Ungating Services
Some services offer to handle the ungating process, but they often violate Amazon’s terms of service. Using such services may put your seller account at risk. Instead, follow the guidelines in this article and seek advice from Amazon seller communities.
How to Get Ungated in Popular Categories?
- Nike and Other Brands: Use suppliers like Eastbay or Academy Sports and Outdoors to purchase products for ungating.
- Toys: Brands like Lego, Nintendo, and Funko POP! can be sourced from EE Distribution.
- Beauty Products: Reliable suppliers include Pricemaster and Frontier Co-op Wholesale.
- Grocery Items: Consider Frontier Co-op Wholesale, especially for affordable items like tea.
- Topicals: Apply separately for this beauty subcategory using a similar process.
- DVDs: Christianbook.com offers affordable options for DVDs.
- Fine Arts: requirements include having a three-year business history and a significant online presence.
Tips for the Amazon Ungating Process
- Choose the Right Distributor: Research and use reputable suppliers.
- Take It One Step at a Time: Focus on ungating one category or brand before moving to the next.
- Be persistent: Rejections happen, but don’t give up—sometimes reapplying yields success.
By following these steps and maintaining a professional seller account, you can successfully navigate Amazon’s ungating process in 2025.
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