How to Get Ungated on Amazon? Make $10,000 Every Month

Welcome to my unbiased guide on how to get ungated on Amazon. 

Most guides on the internet are outdated, biased, or OUTRIGHT click baits.

I’m an eCommerce guru with more than ten years of industry experience. I’ll be brutally honest and show you how to get ungated on Amazon correctly. And start earning 6-figure profits and beyond.

This guide covers the product categories restricted on Amazon. How to get ungated on Amazon. Benefits of ungated and SO MUCH MORE.  

Let’s go…

What Does Getting Ungated Mean on Amazon?

Amazon “Ungated” gives you special access to sell RESTRICTED products on the platform. 

The easiest way to understand “Gated” and “Ungated” is to think of it as the Superbowl’s half-time show tickets. 

“Ungated” is like the VIP Backstage Pass. It gives you access to the Superbowl PRESTIGIOUS backstage. You can interact with your superstars and witness their rehearsals in real time. 

“Gated” is the most regular ticket in the show. You’ll see your superstars from a mile away (and that’s if you are lucky!).

Simple, right?

So, why get ungated in the first place?

PROFITS!!!

Ungated lets you sell items in restricted categories to shoppers that want them. You position yourself as a TRUSTED authority and make six-figure profits.

Plus, there’s little competition compared to selling on Amazon’s non-restricted category. 

I’ll cover the benefits in a bit, but first, let’s dive into restricted categories on Amazon. 

What Categories Are Restricted on Amazon? 

The MOST recent Amazon-restricted categories include:

• Grocery and gourmet foods
• Collectible coins
• Watches
• Automotive & power sports
• Collectible books
• Clothing & Accessories
• Entertainment & collectibles
• Fine art
• Gift cards
• Music & DVD
• Video, DVD & Blu-ray
• Toys & Games (Holiday Selling Guidelines)
• Tools & Home Improvement

…or at least that’s what Amazon claims.

You need access to sell products in gated or restricted categories.  

Why Are These Categories on Amazon Restricted?

Amazon has become an eCommerce giant, destroying its competitors on all metrics. 

And their strategy is quite simple. Gain the trust of their customers! Customers will buy from brands they can trust. Pshh…don’t tell me you don’t trust Amazon. 

That’s why their most popular categories are reserved for the BEST. 

Make sense?

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Let’s delve deeper into why these categories are gates…

Licensing and Approval

Categories like groceries and food require you to get licenses. This prevents sellers from selling harmful food substances that cause health concerns. That way, Amazon gains consumer confidence bringing traffic to the ungated seller stores.

Quality control

I’ve been an FBA seller for years. And noticed that Amazon requires specific standards for certain categories. For example, the personal care, automotive, and electronics category. 

That’s because these products directly impact customer safety and satisfaction. 

Safety concerns

Amazon also restricts access to dangerous categories. For instance, self-defense weapons and air guns. 

These items pose great safety concerns if not handled properly. Hence, Amazon restricts sellers to eliminate unauthorized sales. And ensure sellers comply with legal requirements for valid jurisdiction.

Imagine buying a fake pocket knife that cuts you when you use it. (I won’t mention the site, you know it!😉).

Product Integrity

One of my secrets to success in FBA is selling authentic items. 

Amazon doesn’t want you polluting their platform with tampered or used items. 

Only sell new and premium quality products to enjoy HIGHER ROIs. 

How to Get Ungated on Amazon?

I started FBA in the prehistoric days. 

My first six-figure niche? Beauty category, perfect for ladies between 20 – 25 years (my ideal audience).

But the first 6-months were rough because it was trial & error. 

Here’s a TL;DR on how to get Ungated the RIGHT WAY. (I believe you have an Amazon Seller Account). 

Let’s dive right in…

Step 1) Open an account with a TRUSTED distributor

You need an account with a distributor selling products in the gated categories. 

I recommend Target, Kohl’s, and WebstaurantStore – Amazon loves these suppliers, IMO! These wholesalers just make your ungating process much EASIER.

Here’s an example of how I use Google to find suppliers in the restricted product categories.

That’s exactly how I found my beauty products wholesalers back in the day.

Alternatively, source products from globally recognized brands, including Nike and Adidas. 

Step 2) Order 10 units of the product you wish to sell

I was shocked, too, at first! 

But Amazon said:

Amazon requires an invoice stating a purchase of 10 units of products. In any of the restricted categories. 

Yes, it will cost you a great deal of money. But selling on Amazon’s restricted categories is 101% worth it. 

Next up, proof of purchase. 

Step 3) Request your invoice

Your distributor sends you an invoice in your email once they dispatch products. 

So just download it and save it somewhere you can remember easily. We’ll use it for the most important part. 

Here’s my checklist of what your finalized invoice should have:

• Name & address of the manufacturer or distributor
• Name & address should be EXACTLY how they appear on your Amazon selling account
• Total units ordered
• Date the units were ordered (should be within 90 days)

Step 4) Submit your invoice and await approval

This is the last step. 

Fire up your Amazon seller central account and head to the gated category. Click “Request approval” and follow the prompts to upload your invoice. 

For example, let’s say we want to sell Lacoste t-shirts. 

Here’s our Amazon seller central account dashboard. 

Click on the “Apply to sell” icon, and the page redirects you to request approval. 

Next, request approval and follow the instructions. 

Read the instructions carefully! Make sure your invoice checks all the requirements before submitting your invoice.

The approval process can take hours, days, or a few weeks, depending on the no. of applications. 

Once approved, you’ll get exclusive access to sell on profitable categories. And enjoy HIGH PROFIT MARGINS. 

How to Get Ungated in Toys on Amazon

Here’s one of my favorite categories on the Amazon website. Selling in the toys category guarantees high sales, especially during the holidays. 

And the ungating process?

STRAIGHTFORWARD. 

1. Have superb performance ratings. 

Keep your order defect rates below 1% and late shipment rates below 4%. Also, ensure your pre-fulfillment rate is below 1.75%. 

2. Ship a given number of items. 

Amazon requires you to ship a specific number of products before November. This number can vary. So, be sure to confirm on Amazon’s website. 

The best part is that they don’t have to be necessary toy items. 

Thank you, Amazon! 

How to Get Ungated in Beauty on Amazon

Like I mentioned before, I sold beauty products on Amazon a few years back.

Things were tough back then…

But that’s a story for another day. Here’s how I got into the profitable Amazon beauty category:

1. Find good distributors. I sourced directly from Frontier Co-op and Pricemaster. Amazon approves these sites for some reason, and I’ve never had trouble getting ungated.

2. Buy ten units of the products you wish to sell. This is a standard Amazon requirement for getting ungated.

3. Scan your invoices. You can get your invoice from your email right after purchase. 

4. Submit and upload your application. Remember to pray and wait for Amazon to approve your request.  

How to Get Ungated in Grocery on Amazon

This is the MOST COVETED product category. Personally, I’ve made pretty good bucks selling in this category. That’s because these are high-demand consumer goods with great profit margins.

Here’s a quick run-down on how to get ungated in this category:

1. Have an above-average performance metric. (Aim for less than 4% late shipment rate. Less than 2.5% pre-fulfillment cancellation rate. And a 1% order defect rate.

2. Create an account with your distributor

3. Scan & upload your invoices

4. Download the image you want to sell. Ensure its ASIN, UPC, and item model number are visible

5. Submit your application 

EASY PEASY!

How to Get Ungated on Amazon for Topicals

I recommend getting ungating on the beauty category first. Then try to get ungated on this section. That’s because Topicals are more or less similar to beauty products.

They include serums, sleeping masks, and lip balms, just to mention a few.

Don’t get me wrong… 

Topical is a subcategory of beauty products. So, selling beauty products doesn’t automatically give you access to sell Topicals. You’ll need to apply separately to get ungated for this category.

Just follow the same process for ungating groceries to get access to sell Topicals on Amazon. 

How to Get Ungated in DVDs on Amazon

Getting ungated in the DVDs category on Amazon is similar to the grocery category. 

1. Just meet Amazon’s required performance rate. 

That includes…

Late shipment rate should be below 4%. Less than a 2.5% pre-fulfillment rate. And less than 1% order defect rate.

2. Provide a list of your distributors. 

Amazon needs to know where you are getting your items from. So, you must work with approved Amazon suppliers to stand a chance. (I’ll cover which suppliers to work with in a bit).

3. Feed Amazon in with your plan

Here, you’ll need to state the exact number of units you intend to sell. 

This is a hot niche; you can earn up to $10,000/month if you are consistent. 

How to Get Ungated on Amazon for the Fine Arts Category

Here, the process is quite simple!

You need to be an established art dealer with a minimum of three years experience. 

Also, you need a solid online presence in the Art industry. For example, own an Artsy website for fine art dealers or a YouTube Channel.

Other requirements to sell in this gated category include the following: 

• Recognized art organization memberships (vary depending on subcategories)
• Proof of participation in art fairs

WARNING. Three-dimensional artwork or archaeological-based art may not be sold under this category. (Subject to change).

How to Get Ungated in the Fine Jewelry Category

This is also a hot category on the Amazon website. 

You need a superb performance metric, just like for the grocery category. 

Other requirements you’ll need include:

• $5,000 entry fee (It sucks, I know)
• Established jewelry business making more than $50,000 annually
• Significant online presence 

Then submit your products for quality inspection.

Start selling once items meet Amazon’s Quality Assurance Standards. 

How to Get Ungated in the Sports Collectibles Category

Lastly is getting ungated in the sports collectibles category.

See, this category is simple to get into. You don’t have to worry about meeting dozens of requirements. 

You need… 

• Stellar performance metrics. All new sellers in this category must have less than a 0.75% order defect rate.
• Authentic products. You need permission from brands as registered third-party sellers. For example, you must be a certified Adidas or Nike retailer.

Selling renowned brands gives you more credibility. And you stand a HIGHER chance of getting ungated on Amazon. 

Benefits of Getting Ungated on Amazon

There’s never been a better time to gain full access to Amazon gated categories. E-commerce is really churning out millionaires right before our eyes. 

I’ve already exhausted how to get ungated; now let’s skip to the good part. 

Less competition

Many wannabe FBA’sers want it easy. They’ll quit ASAP if they must spend money to make money. Or that Amazon will still reject their request after submission. 

I promised this would be an unbiased review, so I’m not gonna lie. 

Getting ungated on Amazon can be quite stressful. But that’s what makes it valuable.

…kidding!

You enjoy LITTLE TO NO COMPETITION and enjoy MASSIVE SALES.

Maximum profitability

The competition isn’t stiff. And you can scale your business to the moon if you solely sell on popular restricted categories. 

Here’s why…

You rarely get penny pinchers undercutting prices to gain huge market shares. So you can raise your prices on each product and grow profits TENFOLD.

Remember I said that I started my FBA biz years ago? I constantly my prices without worrying about losing customers to CHEAP A** sellers. Thanks, Amazon;)

Potential to scale

Don’t limit yourself to one particular category. Expand your reach to other categories – provided you are ungated. 

For example, if you are in the collectible books category. You can get your feet into the collectible coins category and fine art category.

I started by selling beauty products. Added men’s clothing & accessories. And now expanding to electronics and gadgets. It just keeps getting better! 

That way, you diversify your income and set yourself up for success. (***starts writing down tour destinations***).

Requirements for Getting Ungated and Restricted Category Approval

Here’s my checklist on guaranteed Amazon Ungated approval:

1. A professional Amazon seller account

The first step is to open a seller account. You need a business email address, Government ID, and a working phone number. Other requirements include an internationally chargeable credit card and tax information. 

Oh, and you also need a bank account where Amazon deposits your money!

2. Certified wholesalers and distributors

The FASTEST way to get ungated is by working with recognized wholesalers. 

DO NOT. I REPEAT. DO NOT work with clearance and liquidation websites. 

Checkout my list of Amazon-approved wholesalers:

• Target – clothing & accessories
• Lotus Light – health & beauty category
• Tuesday morning – toys, home & garden accessories
• Kohl’s – shoes, groceries, and other accessories
• Innex – video games
• Frontier CoOp – gourmet foods category
• Enesco – collectibles & gifts

3. Legit invoices

Amazon only accepts original invoices. All invoices should feature the correct name as per your seller account. And should not date up to more than 90 days. 

EXPERT ADVICE. I recommend submitting your invoice in a non-editable format (e.g., a PDF). That gives your document more credibility and originality.

4. Good seller metrics

You need great reviews and store performance to get ungated on Amazon. 

Get this – you need excellent shipment rates. Plus, low defects & pre-fulfillment cancellation rates. 

Aim for:

• < 1% Order Defect Rate (ODR)
• < 2.5% Pre-Fulfillment Cancel Rate (PFCR)
• < 4% Late Shipment Rate (LSR)

5. Valid business address

Amazon wants to determine whether you are an authentic seller. And not just a scammer hiding under a VPN. 

Send them your correct business address to avoid suspension from the platform. 

6. Business Tax information (SSN or EIN)

Like I said before, Amazon hates scammers with a passion! Show them you are TRUSTWORTHY!

Uploading your SSN or EIN validates that you are a legitimate business entity.

Also, this helps Amazon further establish confidence in its customers.

7. Copy of a valid government-issued photo ID

I promise this is the last one, guys ^_^

Amazon requires your ID to verify your identity. Again, this prevents that scammer we talked about from creating a fake profile. 

Also, your ID may sometimes be used as proof of location.

Useful Tips that Help You Get Ungated on Amazon

I’m not saying that Amazon will INSTANTLY grant you access to their gated categories. Far from it. I was rejected TWICE and almost gave up. But here I am – earning high profits from selling in gated categories.

Here are a few tips & tricks to increase your chances of getting ungated on Amazon:

Apply ONLY during US working hours

The timing of your application can SIGNIFICANTLY favor your application. 

For example…

I am currently in Beijing, China. It’s currently 10:43 AM CST (as I’m writing this article). And it’s 1:43 AM PDT in Seattle, Washington, USA (Amazon headquarters). 

Yeah…no!

No one will read my application at this time. Remember, most Amazon workers operate between 9.00 AM – 5.00 PM PDT.

By sending your application at the right time, you get:

• Faster responses. Applications are received are reviewed promptly
• Maximizes visibility. Only teams that handle the Amazon ungating process handle your application
• Avoid backlogs. You minimize the chances of your application falling at the back of the queue.

TIP. Use a quick Google search to check out the current US time from your location.

Don’t forget your contact details.

Your contact details help Amazon verify your address and identity. It shows you are a credible seller, not just some wannabe eCommerce guru. 

Also, this is handy if Amazon wants to ask you for more information or seek clarification.

Provide the original invoice

DO NOT UPLOAD A FAKE INVOICE!

Amazon keeps upgrading its systems to detect any fraudulent invoices. So, don’t bother trying that fake downloaded invoice. 

Ensure your invoice matches the name in your Amazon seller’s account. And ticks every other detail Amazon requires. 

Oh, and don’t provide outdated invoices. It should be within 90 days from the time of application. 

Improve your store’s performance metrics.

Good performance metrics mirror you as a trustworthy and committed seller. Amazon will likely ungate you if they are satisfied with your store’s performance. 

In fact, you won’t have to go through the hassle of sending invoices. Just apply, and VIOLA – you are in!

Here’s what helps me to maintain excellent metrics:

1. Fulfill orders promptly. I use FAST courier services to ensure timely delivery
2. Offer favorable prices within my product category
3. ALWAYS provide accurate product descriptions
4. Minimize order defects
5. I maintain sufficient inventory
6. My customer service team works 24/7
7. Optimize my store for search. I use relevant keywords for product titles and descriptions
8. Monitor performance metrics and make necessary improvements

This is the blueprint I’ve been using to ungate my Amazon seller accounts for my business. And clients. 

Master your product

You need an in-depth understanding of the products you want to ungate. I mean, how do you sell a product you don’t know how it works?

I delve deeper into the products I sell. Order 10 samples. And use some just to have first-hand experience. 

This shows Amazon you are prepared. Again, it reduces the need for further information or clarification.

Pretty simple, aye?

People Also Ask about How to Get Ungated on Amazon

What’s Next

Getting ungated is necessary for anyone looking to multiply their eCommerce income. Especially new sellers. They get access to a massive pool of Amazon buyers and stand out from the crowd.

Just remember to ALWAYS upload original invoices and ASINS. Also, don’t forget your accurate address and government ID. 

If you want to get serious and enjoy huge profits, start the ungating process today. 

Want help getting ungated on Amazon? Or do you want to work with a RELIABLE Chinese distributor? PERFECT! Send us an email today, and our professionals will respond SHORTLY.

Contact LeelineSourcing now!