What are Amazon Restricted Categories?

We want customers to be able to shop with confidence on Amazon. For certain products and categories, Amazon might require additional fees, performance checks, and other qualifications.

Even if selling in a category does not require approval from Amazon, selling certain products may require approval.

Certain products may not be listed at all on Amazon. Learn more in our Restricted Products and Selling Policies.Visit Seller University for more information about Listing Restrictions.

You are required to obtain approval from Amazon before listing in certain product categories.

Categories and products requiring approval

 

• Holiday Selling Guidelines in Toys & Games
• Amazon Watch Warranty FAQs
• Video, DVD, & Blu-ray
• Collectible Coins
• Streaming Media Players

 

 Restricted products

 

• Alcohol

• Animals & Animal Products

• Art – Fine Art

• Art – Home Decor

• Automotive and Powersports

• Composite Wood Products

• Cosmetics & Skin/Hair Care

• Currency, Coins, Cash Equivalents, and Gift Cards

• Dietary Supplements

• Drugs & drug paraphernalia

• Electronics

• Explosives, Weapons, and Related Items

• Export Controls

• Food & Beverage

• Chilled and frozen foods

• Gambling & Lottery

• Hazardous and Dangerous Items

• Human Parts & Burial Artifacts

• Jewelry & Precious Gems

• Laser products

• Lighting

• Lock Picking & Theft Devices

• Medical devices and accessories

• Offensive and Controversial Materials

• Organic Products

• Pesticides

• Plants, Plant Products, and Seeds

• Postage Meters & Stamps

• FBA Prohibited Products exceptions

• Recalled Products

• Recycling electronics

• Sex & Sensuality

• Subscriptions and Periodicals

• Surveillance Equipment

• Tobacco & Tobacco-Related Products

• Warranties, Service Plans, Contracts, and Guarantees

• Other Restricted Products

Request approval

Sellers must meet additional qualifications to sell certain brands or list within certain categories on Amazon. Follow these steps to apply for approval:

1. From the Inventory menu select Add a Product.
2. Search for the item you want to sell.
3. In the search results, click the Listing limitations apply link next to the item.
4. Click the Request Approval button to begin the application process.

Summary

As you can see there are a lot of potential dangers. If you look carefully at the products you are planning to buy or list you can normally tell if there is likely to be a problem. We do also have a live list of brands we currently know to avoid. If you know any brands that are not on the list please let us know immediately so they can be added.

I hope you found this information helpful. If you have any thoughts or advice please let people know in the comments below.

You are also very welcome to join our Facebook Groups where we discuss issues like this;

Amazon Selling for Beginners – for those starting out on their Amazon selling journey.

Amazon FBA Masters – for the more experienced sellers and those looking at starting in Private Label selling.