Overview

Before listing certain products on Amazon, sellers must obtain approval from the platform. Amazon enforces these gating requirements to ensure that items sold in its marketplace are safe, authentic, and compliant with applicable regulations. Understanding which categories and products are restricted — and how to navigate the approval process — is essential for any seller looking to expand their catalog.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Not all products are freely listable — Amazon restricts certain categories and individual ASINs, requiring sellers to apply and receive approval before they can create listings.
• Status indicators tell you where you stand — When searching for a product in Seller Central, you will see status messages such as "List this product" (no approval needed), "Apply to sell" (approval required), or a message indicating the item cannot be listed at all.
• Some products require multiple approvals — Certain items, like branded shoes, may need both category-level approval and separate brand authorization, along with supporting documentation.
• Documentation must be current — Invoices submitted as part of an application must be dated within the last 180 days, and product photos should clearly show all sides of the item.
• Approval decisions can be final — If Amazon determines your account does not qualify to sell a particular product, that decision generally cannot be appealed.

How the Approval Process Works

To check whether a product requires approval, navigate to the Add a Product section within Seller Central and search for the item you want to sell. Amazon will display one of several status indicators letting you know whether you can list freely, need to apply, or are blocked entirely. If approval is required, you will be prompted to complete an application form and upload the necessary documentation. After submission, Amazon typically reviews applications within two to seven business days. For products not yet in the catalog, sellers can search for similar items to get a sense of the restrictions that are likely to apply.

Required Documentation