Selling restricted brands on Amazon FBA often requires sellers to go through an “ungating” process. This guide will walk you through the steps to successfully ungate brands and expand your selling opportunities.
1. Understand the Requirements
Before you begin, research the specific brand or category requirements. Amazon typically requires:
- Proof of purchase invoice of 10 units or more
- You don’t need to have all 10 units on a single invoice; multiple invoices can be combined as long as the total adds up to at least 10 units.
- You don’t need to purchase the exact item you’re trying to ungate; it just needs to be from the same brand. For example, you could buy 10 Nintendo-branded sticker packs to ungate Nintendo and sell a Nintendo Switch console.
- You must provide an invoice; receipts, order confirmations, or pro-forma invoices are not accepted.
2. Source Products from Authorized Distributors/Retailers
Purchase inventory from legitimate and recognized sources. Ensure your invoices meet Amazon’s requirements:
- Billing address must match the same business address you have on your seller account
- Include the distributor’s name and address.
- Clearly list the product name and quantities.
- Be dated within the last 180 days.
3. Submit Your Application
- Go to the Inventory Tab: In your Seller Central account, navigate to Inventory > Add a Product.
- Search for the Product: Look up the product by name, ASIN, or UPC.
- Apply to Sell: If the product is gated, you’ll see a prompt to “Request Approval.” Click this button.
- Upload Documents: Follow the prompts to upload your invoices, authorization letters, or certifications.
4. Follow Up with Amazon
- After submitting your application, monitor your email and Seller Central notifications for updates.
- If Amazon requests additional information, respond promptly and accurately.
Tips for Success
- Ask Other Sellers : Before ungating a brand, ask other sellers which sites they use to ungate. Certain retailers are known for having a higher success rate on Amazon.
- Double-Check Documents: Ensure all details match your Amazon Seller Account information.
- Be Persistent: If your application is rejected, review Amazon’s feedback, address the issues, and reapply. It can sometimes take 5-10 attempts to get ungated. Often times you need to submit the same information over and over until its accepted.
