Ungated Categories on Amazon: What You Can Sell on Amazon as a New Seller

Entering the Amazon marketplace as a new seller comes with both opportunities and limitations.  One of the most common hurdles sellers face is the distinction between gated and ungated categories on Amazon

While gated categories require additional approval, ungated categories are to open anyone, making them a preferred starting point for new sellers.

 If you’re wondering what can I sell on Amazon as a new seller or what can i sell on Amazon without approval, understanding ungated categories is your first step to a faster and smoother launch. 

What Are Amazon Gated Categories?

Amazon gated categories, also known as restricted categories, are product groups that require sellers to obtain special permission before listing items. These restrictions are often in place to protect the customer experience, limit counterfeit products, and comply with legal regulations. 

Gated products on Amazon can include high risk, high brand value, or heavily regulated items. These categories often have stricter listing requirements, performance metrics, and may even need invoices or supplier verification. 

Categories like beauty, automotive, and grocery are typically gated. If you’re curious about how to ungated beauty category on Amazon, know that the process involves submitting documents such as supplier invoices, safety certifications, and undergoing Amazon’s internal vetting. 

Why Does Amazon Restrict Certain Categories?

Amazon’s primary aim in restricting some product categories is to ensure customer safety, maintain trust, and comply with local and international trade laws. Restricted items on Amazon tend to fall into categories where the potential for fraud, health hazards, or intellectual property violations is higher. 

This also includes Amazon gated brands, where brand specific permission is required due to licensing or exclusivity. 

New sellers often ask, do you need a license to sell on Amazon? The answer varies depending on the product. While many items can be sold without a business license, gated categories usually require one, along with supplier verification and sometimes laboratory testing reports. 

Full List of Amazon Gated Categories

Though the list evolves over time, as of 2025, the most commonly categories include: 

  • Automotive and Powersport 
  • Collectible coins 
  • Jewelry 
  • Watches 
  • Grocery and Gourmet Food 
  • Health and Personal Care 
  • Beauty 
  • Music and DVD
  • Sexual Wellness 
  • Sports collectible 
  • Toys and Games 

These Amazon gated and ungated distinctions are important for new sellers, especially in figuring out which market is easiest to enter. 

What Are Ungated Categories on Amazon?

Amazon ungated categories are product categories that do not require prior approval for sellers to list their products, these are the go to categories for beginners because they reduce friction, speed up time to market and minimize bureaucratic delays. 

If you’ve wondered what brands can I sell on Amazon without approval, they’re typically found in these ungated categories, though not every brand within an ungated category is itself ungated. 

Selling in ungated categories on Amazon is considered a low risk entry point for sellers testing the waters, dropshippers, and those using private label strategies. 

Full List of Ungated Categories on Amazon

Here are the most updated list of ungated products on Amazon and open categories for 2025: 

  • Books 
  • Office Products 
  • Home and Kitchen 
  • Pet Supplies 
  • Baby Supplies 
  • Industrial and Scientific 
  • Sports and Outdoors
  • Tools and Home Improvements 
  • Musical Instruments 
  • Garden and Outdoor 
  • Cell Phones and Accessories 
  • Arts, Crafts, and Sewing 
  • Electronics Accessories 

These ungated items to sell on Amazon make up a majority of the marketplace’s listings, and offer excellent volume with fewer entry barriers. 

What Are the Benefits of Selling Ungated Categories on Amazon

Choosing to start with ungated categories on Amazon offers several strategic benefits. First, it accelerates the listing and selling process. You don’t need to wait for approval or submit documents, making it ideal for solo entrepreneurs, small brands, overseas sellers. 

Second, it minimizes risk. How do I get ungated on Amazon, it may require professional invoices, approval fees, and sometimes months of back and forth. Avoiding this process allows sellers to focus on product research, pricing. Listing optimization, and scaling. 

Lastly, it enables cash flow. Since ungated categories let you begin selling almost immediately, you can validate your business model faster. It’s no surprise that the most successful Amazon beginners focus first on ungated products to sell on Amazon before expanding to gated categories. 

Best Ungated Products to Sell on Amazon

According to 2025 data from AMZScout, Helium10, and SmartScout, the best ungated products to sell on Amazon include: Silicone Kitchen utensils, Resistance bands and fitness gear, DIY craft kits, LED desk lamps, Reusable water bottles, Notebooks and journals, Dog grooming tools, Plant pots and indoor gardening supplies, and Ergonomic computer accessories. 

Many of these products have low competition, steady year round demand, and align with consumer trends. They’re often the answer to how to get products on Amazon for free through retail arbitrage, liquidation pallets, or wholesale closeouts. 

How to Get Ungated in Amazon Categories

Getting ungated on Amazon requires preparation and patience. You typically need to submit a valid invoice from a trusted wholesaler, include product images, and sometimes provide lab reports or certificates. 

For certain categories like health and personal care, you’ll also need FDA registration and detailed safety documentation. Amazon may ask for multiple documents, and sometimes even restrict sellers with valid paperwork. That’s why many sellers remain in ungated Amazon categories until they build sales history and understand compliance expectations. 

Sellers sometimes wonder, can you get approval in restricted categories by paying someone else? While there are third party services that offer ungating help, Amazon strongly discourages this and may ban accounts if violations are detected. 

The safest way is to meet the official requirements. 

Amazon Gated vs Amazon Ungated Categories: Which Should You Choose?

If you’re new and researching what can i sell on Amazon as a new seller, ungated categories are your best starting point. They require no upfront approval, have less red tape, and allow you to build up review and seller metrics. 

Gated categories, while lucrative, involve more risk. They’re typically suited for advanced sellers with sourcing experience, access to brand partnerships, or legal documentation. Once you’ve proven your reliability in ungated products to sell on Amazon, you can consider branching into gated niches to scale further. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is It Difficult to Get Approval for Gated Products?

Yes, it can be. Some categories are more lenient but others demand invoices, licenses, and safety certifications. Approval may take days or even weeks. 

What Happens If Your Products Get Rejected?

If Amazon rejects your gated product application, you may need to resubmit documents, appeal the decision, or seek alternative products in ungated categories on Amazon.

Can You Get Approval in Restricted Categories by Paying Someone Else?

While it’s possible to hire consultants or agencies to help, be cautious. Amazon prohibits “ungating hacks” and may suspend accounts using illegitimate services.