Amazon Restricted Categories in 2025: What Sellers Need to Know to Stay Compliant
Keren Dinkin, Copywriter
6 min read -
Updated:Restricted categories are specific product categories on the Amazon platform that require approval before sellers can list items within them. This process ensures that certain merchandise with sensitive attributes meets legal standards, maintains quality, and upholds Amazon’s brand reputation. Products within these categories often have implications for safety, legal compliance, and quality control.
By imposing these restrictions, Amazon seeks to provide a safe and trustworthy shopping experience for customers, protecting them from potentially harmful or substandard products. Recognizing the categories falling under this umbrella allows for proper preparation and compliance, thus avoiding unnecessary delays or rejections.
In 2025, Amazon continues to refine its list of restricted categories to keep pace with new market trends and regulatory shifts.
Read on so you can understand and adhere to them, not only for compliance but also for fostering consumer trust and enhancing the overall credibility of your Amazon storefront.
List of Major Restricted Categories
To avoid confusion, keep in mind the five types of Amazon restrictions: category, sub-category, product, brand, and FBA. For this article, we’ll be focusing on the first. This means that our discussion may not cover an item you might be planning to sell if it doesn’t fall under a restricted category.
Historically, the Dietary Supplements, Prescription Pharmaceuticals, and Medical Devices categories have been among the most closely monitored on Amazon. They demand rigorous scrutiny and stringent compliance due to their direct impact on consumer health, safety, and well-being.
Note as well that restrictions are not limited to categories with physical products. Some types of content (like alcohol ads, nudity, contests) and services (such as online dating, gambling, real estate, job sites) are also gated.
This year, Amazon introduced new restrictions in response to emerging product types. For instance, Cannabidiol (CBD) products now face more rigorous scrutiny to ensure they meet legal and safety standards. Similarly, tech gadgets that interface with health metrics are under tighter controls to comply with updated industry regulations.
As of March 2025, below is the complete list of Amazon restricted categories: (note: the linked URLs require Seller Central login.)
- Amazon Subscription Boxes
- Collectible Coins
- Entertainment Collectibles
- Fine Art
- Holiday Selling in Toys & Games
- Jewelry
- Made in Italy
- Music & DVD
- Postage Stamps
- Services
- Sony PlayStation in Video Games
- Sports Collectibles
- Streaming Media Players
- Video, DVD & Blu-Ray
- Watches
The above list is for new items. Below are the restricted categories for used items:
- Accessories
- Baby
- Beauty
- Clothing
- Grocery & Gourmet Food
- Handbags
- Health & Personal Care
- Jewelry
- Luggage
- Shoes
- Sunglasses
- Watches
These changes reflect Amazon’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe, reliable marketplace for both sellers and consumers.
Why These Categories Are Restricted
Category restrictions on Amazon serve several important functions that benefit brands, consumers, and the platform’s shopping community:
Legal Regulations
The law is Amazon category restrictions’ primary driver, as the products within them must adhere to strict standards and certifications to be legally sold. These include safety protocols and compliance checks that guarantee those items are safe for consumers.
This is especially pertinent for items like medical devices and supplements, where improper use or subpar quality can lead to serious health implications. Additionally, some merchandise, like alcohol, is regulated differently by state.
Safety Concerns
Amazon imposes restrictions on categories that require rigorous quality control to minimize risks and prevent harm to consumers. For example, beauty products must be vetted for potentially harmful ingredients, while tech gadgets that monitor health metrics must meet stringent accuracy and reliability standards.
Brand Protection
To safeguard the platform from counterfeit or misleading products that could erode consumer trust, policies on protecting brands are in place. By imposing strict guidelines and approval processes, Amazon ensures that only legitimate products make it to the market. This not only protects the brand’s reputation but also provides a layer of assurance for buyers.
Product Quality
Categories for used items such as Jewelry, Beauty, and Electronics are gated to ensure high quality, authenticity, and compliance with safety standards.
Collectively, these restrictions contribute to a safer, more reliable shopping environment on Amazon. They also help maintain a level playing field for sellers by ensuring that everyone adheres to the same high standards.
How to Get Approval to Sell in Restricted Categories
Sellers aiming to enter the gates of these categories need to stay informed about the latest requirements and prepare to meet the high standards set by Amazon. You need to be aware of the documentation and verification processes required to gain approval to sell in them.
Gaining approval to sell in Amazon’s restricted categories involves a meticulous process. However, preparing supporting documents meticulously and submitting them accurately can streamline the approval process. The guide below can help.
Step 1: Do Your Homework
Familiarize yourself with the specific requirements for the restricted category you wish to enter. For instance, some categories may need third-party lab test results or detailed product descriptions to prove compliance with Amazon’s standards.
Leverage available resources such as Seller Central forums or consulting services that specialize in Amazon compliance. These can provide valuable insights and updates on any recent changes in Amazon’s policies.
Step 2: Gather Necessary Documents
Start by gathering all pertinent paperwork, including safety certificates, manufacturer invoices, and proof of regulatory compliance. Each document must be accurate and complete to avoid unnecessary delays.
Step 3: Submit Documents
Log in to your Seller Central account and navigate to the section for category approval. Upload the gathered documents, ensuring each file is correctly named and easy for Amazon’s review team to identify. Double check and pay special attention to any specific guidelines provided by Amazon for the category, as these can vary.
Step 4: Monitor Case Logs
After submission, monitor your case logs regularly. The review team may request additional information or clarification, so prompt responses can expedite the approval process. Keeping an organized checklist of required documents and timelines can be highly beneficial.
The timeline for the entire process varies depending on various factors, including your seller account’s reputation, the requirements of the category, and the Amazon review team’s workload or availability. Many sellers have experienced instant approval owing to their solid seller history.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the most frequent errors sellers make is submitting incorrect or incomplete documentation. This mistake can either lead to immediate rejection or cause unnecessary delays. Carefully review all documents for accuracy and completeness before submission to prevent these setbacks.
Another common pitfall is neglecting to follow up on case logs in Seller Central. As mentioned in the previous section, once your application is submitted, Amazon may request additional information or clarification. Promptly responding to these requests is crucial, as timely communication can expedite the approval process.
In addition, understanding specific category requirements is vital. Each restricted category sets unique prerequisites, and failing to meet these can result in rejection. Thoroughly research the necessary criteria for each category and ensure all documents are tailored to meet those standards.
Securing approval for restricted categories on Amazon requires attention to detail and a proactive approach. By meticulously preparing your documents and maintaining proactive communication with Amazon, you can increase your chances of successfully entering those gates.
What Happens if You Sell Without Approval?
Selling in restricted categories without obtaining the necessary approvals can lead to significant consequences for your business, such as:
1. Account Suspension
One of the most immediate consequences is this severe action that disrupts your sales and overall operations.
2. Product Removal
Amazon may do this to your listings, causing direct financial losses and damaging your reputation on the platform.
3. Complex Reinstatement Steps
This time-consuming process involves not only addressing the initial compliance issues but also submitting the correct documentation and proving your adherence to Amazon’s policies. During this period, your listings remain inactive, further impacting your revenue and customer relationships.
4. Damaged Reputation
Consumers rely on Amazon’s approval processes to ensure the quality and safety of products. Listings without proper approval can erode customer confidence, leading to decreased sales and negative reviews.
Ultimately, neglecting to obtain approval for restricted categories undermines your credibility as a seller and exposes your business to avoidable risks.
Tools and Services to Help with Category Approval
Amazon’s restricted categories can be a difficult beast to conquer, but using specialized tools and services can simplify the process. Consider the comprehensive Sellerise suite of software and apps designed to assist you with the intricacies of category approval.
Sellerise alerts, in particular, provides timely notifications about updates in category restrictions and other critical listing updates. These alerts help sellers stay informed about sudden changes, such as ASIN suppression or account restrictions, allowing for quick and informed decision-making.
In addition to alerts, Sellerise offers various management tools that cover financial analytics, keyword optimization, and inventory management. These can help you streamline your operations so that all aspects of your business are aligned with Amazon’s guidelines.
By integrating these tools into your workflow, you can maintain a proactive approach to category approval and overall account health. The ease of setting up and customizing notifications ensures that you receive relevant information without being overwhelmed. Utilizing Sellerise’s offerings can improve your business efficiency, keep it compliant, and ultimately contribute to the growth and success of your Amazon enterprise.
