One of the major benefits that come with shopping through Amazon is the huge variety of merchandise available. But, there’s also an array of restricted Amazon products.
There will be a variety of products available for anyone to sell but there are some specific categories that sellers need to be aware of before beginning to sell their items on the platform.
Certain categories are accessible however, others require authorization from Amazon.
In the article, we’ll go over Amazon’s limited product categories as well as the conditions you’ll need to be able to meet if you’re planning to sell these categories.
What Is a Gated Category?
The first thing to be aware of is that certain categories are not available to all. In the majority of instances, you will need to sign up for an account and begin creating your content.
There’s nothing to worry about except for the work needed to create successful listings on Amazon. However, it’s different for categories that are gated.
These categories require Amazon approval required. Not only does Amazon be required to permit you to make listings available within these categories, However, you’ll also be required to satisfy certain conditions to be recognized as a valid applicant.
The requirements will vary based on the area you want to be listed in. generally, it’s similar to having a website
- or an established UPC (Check out this guide to know more about the Amazon UPC codes).
- providing authentic certificates.
These conditions are in place to safeguard buyers from fraud as items in Amazon categories that are gated typically:
- More expensive,
- Safety-related,
- of a sensitive nature or
- Collectible items
What is the reason Amazon has categories that are gated?
We’ve already mentioned that these are products that are specific to a specific niche or a particular population, or products that have more expensive prices than the usual price on a similar platform.
However, there are more serious issues related to the sale of specific types of products.
Here are a few examples:
Security issues
Amazon is always vigilant in this regard especially because Amazon’s name is always at the forefront of any purchase and they do not wish to have its name associated with items that could harm others.
For instance, a faulty automobile component could cause an issue that could put the person in danger. Also, an expired medication could be associated with health risks and other health risks.
Amazon will block these categories to limit potential threats to their clients.
Amazon’s name and reputation
We’ve already mentioned that Amazon’s logo is on the top of each purchase.
We are aware that the items are sold by independent sellers, but the advertising for this platform has been so successful the fact that “Amazon” is all we get to see.
This is why Amazon is aware of how purchases can influence the way that sellers view Amazon’s name.
In the end, this is the company that has built an empire around customer service It is only natural that they’d want to ensure that their customers are not purchasing knock-offs, inferior products, or slipping into fraud during their purchase.
The risk of fraud
The world of eCommerce has made significant progress since its beginnings, particularly in this area. It’s only natural that a business like Amazon will do everything in its capabilities to minimize the possibility of fraud.
Of course, the danger is more prevalent with certain kinds of products than with other types of products. For instance, if you buy glassware that you use for cooking, you’re likely safer than when you purchase memorabilia that is collectible.
If you’re looking to gain entry into Amazon’s restricted categories, you’ll need sure that you keep Amazon’s trust and provide an excellent customer experience.
Certain things are gated but they are not necessarily
There are a lot of sections that have been un-tagged, which might sound like a good thing, but there’s a tiny caveat it is important to be aware of subcategories.
Food items cosmetics, food items, and other health-related products used to be restricted to new vendors. It’s not the case anymore.
There are times when you’ll have to gain approval from the company itself which as you can imagine isn’t something you can do for a low cost. If you aren’t sure about the budget you have, you may need to reconsider your stock.
Certain brands are not available to Amazon regardless of whether the category isn’t.
What happens when you are excluded from the category that is gated?
It is a frequent phenomenon that occurs for a variety of reasons.
Perhaps you’ve done everything correctly! Perhaps you submitted every document and followed every rule however the range of applicants isn’t as wide, so you’re waiting to see if there is an opening.
Make this time to improve your business’s strategy and plan so that you’re more prepared for your next opportunity.
Recommended Guide: Amazon PPC Tips to Improve Advertising Revenue.
