Amazon Gated and Ungated Products: Your Guide for 2025
What is the first question that came into your mind when you decided you wanted to sell on Amazon? For many people, it was: “What am I going to sell?” closely followed by, “Am I allowed to just sell that?” It’s also the same question seasoned sellers ask themselves when they are planning to expand their product portfolio. In other words, the question of whether certain products you want to sell on Amazon are gated or ungated sticks with you throughout your entire seller career. This is why we created this blog article with a current list of the categories you are looking for.
Whether you decide to sell gated or ungated products (or both), this article is here to support you in your endeavors. Let’s dive in.
What Are Amazon Gated and Ungated Products?
On Amazon there are products, categories and brands that require approval before they can be listed by sellers, while ungated products can be sold freely without special approval.
Gated products, although they have high entry barriers, promise higher margins because fewer sellers are allowed to sell them due to these restrictions. Examples of gated categories include luxury brands, supplements, and automotive parts. Amazon does this for multiple reasons, such as to adhere to regulatory requirements, to uphold product authenticity, to comply with consumer regulation, and to protect brands that have strict agreements with Amazon.
Ungated categories and products, e.g. books, toys, and home goods, are easier to sell because they don’t need special documentation but still tend to have high demand. Consequently, they also have more competition since everybody can sell them.
Benefits & Challenges of Selling in Gated Categories
Benefits
Challenges
Key Differences Between Amazon Gated and Ungated Products
Below is a comparison table for reference.
| Feature | Gated Products | Ungated Products |
| Approval required | Yes | No |
| Seller Restrictions | Higher | Lower |
| Competition | Lower | Higher |
| Profit Portential | Higher (due to exclusivity) | Lower (due to saturation) |
| Risk of Counterfeits | Lower | Higher |
| Best for Beginners | No | Yes |
List of Gated and Ungated Categories on Amazon (2025)
On Amazon, the list of gated and ungated categories is updated every year. However, it may not be comprehensive and may contain outdated info, as changes and updates are made regularly. We encourage you to do your own research as per the instructions further below in order to get a full overview.
Gated Categories
Ungated Categories
Note: Just because a product falls under an ungated category, it does not mean that it is open for selling per se. Brand-specific or product-specific restrictions still exist. It’s important to always check whether the ungated products you want to sell on Amazon do not fall under any restrictions.
How to Check If a Product Is Gated or Ungated on Amazon
To determine whether a product is gated, follow these steps:
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Apart from assuming an open category means that all products within it are also ungated, there are other mistakes you can easily avoid when checking on Amazon for gated or ungated products. Checking for restrictions before buying in bulk is one of them. A quick time investment of five minutes may save you a lot of headache due to unsellable stock. Another no-go is skipping the approval process altogether – this may lead to Amazon suspending your account for selling restricted items without proper authorization.
How to Get Approved for Gated Categories on Amazon
Gated and ungated products present their own benefits and challenges. The main benefit of gated products is the fact that there is fewer competition and the margins are higher. If you should opt to sell in gated categories, follow this process:
Step-by-Step Approval Process
Requirements for Approval
Tips to Speed Up Approval
Best Ungated Products to Sell on Amazon in 2025
The best ungated products to sell on Amazon have two requirements: high-demand and low-competition. Once again, this list may not be comprehensive, since updates occur on Amazon regularly.
Top-Selling Ungated Products
What to Consider When Choosing an Ungated Product
Before purchasing ungated products on Amazon in bulk, there are a few things you may need to check on first to ensure everything runs smoothly once you have listed them. Start by checking sales trends to see whether there is a demand for your ungated product. Also, check on the competition. Avoiding oversaturated markets – while becoming more and more difficult on Amazon – will increase success immediately.
Profit margins are equally important, so always keep an eye on Amazon fees and other costs to ensure your product remains profitable. In particular, FBA fees can get tricky, due to regular changes multiple times a year. Last but not least, keep shipping costs in mind; choosing lightweight and compact products can significantly reduce expenses and improve your bottom line.
Final Thoughts
As with many other aspects of selling on Amazon, gated and ungated products present opportunities but also require a bit of caution. While there are plenty of ungated categories, you still have to be meticulous about which products you want to sell specifically, as exceptions may apply to the restrictions. Apart from this, the overall success of your Amazon business hinges on other factors like research and strategic decision-making. Just because a product is ungated doesn’t mean it’s the right fit – this is why it’s important to check demand, competition, and profitability.
On the other hand, while gated products will require extra effort to get approved, they often come with lower competition and higher margins, making them a worthwhile pursuit, especially if you are an advanced level seller. Whichever route you choose, staying informed and proactive will help you navigate restrictions, minimize risks, and maximize your chances of building a profitable and sustainable Amazon business.
FAQs
The best ungated products to sell on Amazon are those with high demand, low competition, and strong profit margins. Some popular options include kitchen gadgets, office supplies, pet accessories, home organization products, and fitness equipment. Lightweight, compact products with low shipping costs tend to perform well, as they help maximize profitability.
Amazon has several ungated categories where sellers can list products without requiring special approval. Some of these include:
– Books
– Home & Kitchen
– Toys & Games (with Q4 restrictions)
– Pet Supplies
– Office Products
– Beauty (some brands may still be restricted)
– Baby Products (excluding certain items like car seats and strollers)
There’s no official list of ungated brands on Amazon, as brand restrictions change quite frequently. To check if a brand or a product is restricted, go to Seller Central > Add a Product, search for the item, and see if a Request Approval button appears.
Sellers can list products in ungated categories without prior approval. These include books, home goods, office supplies, and many beauty and pet products. However, some specific brands and product types within these categories may still require approval, so it’s always best to check restrictions before listing an item.
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