How to Get Ungated in Toys on Amazon?

When searching for online arbitrage opportunities on Amazon, you may come across great deals in the Toys category, offering impressive profit margins. However, if you’re familiar with Amazon’s policies, you likely know that this category is gated, meaning not everyone is allowed to sell toys on the platform. If you're curious about why toys are gated on Amazon and how to go through the ungating process, this article will guide you through everything you need to know.

What Does Getting Ungated on Amazon Mean?

Amazon, like other eCommerce platforms, has specific rules and limitations when it comes to selling products across various categories. There are two types of product categories on Amazon: open and restricted. Open categories allow you to sell items without needing Amazon's approval. Once you set up your Seller Central account, you can start selling products in these open categories.

On the other hand, restricted or gated categories, such as Toys and Games, Sports Collectibles, Kindle Accessories, and Grocery & Gourmet Foods, require approval before you can list and sell them. If you're looking to sell toys, you need to go through the ungating process to get the necessary approval.

Why Does Amazon Restrict the Toys Category?

Toys are considered delicate products, and since they come into direct contact with children, they must meet high safety standards. Any issues, such as defective toys or safety concerns, could lead to dissatisfied customers and potential safety hazards. Poorly manufactured toys, particularly those containing harmful materials, can be dangerous. Because of these risks, Amazon restricts the Toys category to ensure that only trusted and verified sellers are offering these products.

Additionally, Amazon imposes stricter restrictions on toy sales during the fourth quarter of the year, especially during the holiday season, to curb the sale of counterfeit products. "Ungating" refers to the process of proving your eligibility to sell in a restricted category.

How to Check if You Are Gated in the Toys Category

To check whether you are gated in the Toys category, simply follow these steps:

Log in to your Seller Central account and go to the "Inventory" tab.
Click on "Add a Product."
Search for the toy you want to sell.

If the product is gated, you will see an "Apply to Sell" button instead of the regular "Sell Yours" button. This indicates that you need to complete the ungating process to be able to sell the product.

Steps to Get Ungated in the Toys Category on Amazon

The main reason Amazon restricts categories like Toys and Games is to ensure that the products listed meet safety and quality standards. To get ungated, you’ll need to prove that your seller account is in good standing and that you meet specific criteria.

Steps to Follow:

Make Sure Your Account Is in Good Standing: Ensure your seller account maintains a positive reputation with Amazon, including metrics such as low order defect rates and timely shipments.
Request Amazon’s Approval: Once your account is in good standing, follow these steps to request approval:
- Log in to Seller Central, follow the steps to add the toy product, and click the "Apply to Sell" button.
- Choose "Request Approval" and complete the application form.
- Provide the required documents and wait for Amazon’s response.

Required Documents for Toys Ungating:

To successfully ungate toys on Amazon, you will need to provide:

Performance Targets:
- Order defect rate: <1%
- Pre-fulfillment cancellation rate: <1.75%
- Late shipment rate: <4%
Shipping History: You must have shipped products leading up to November (doesn’t need to be in the Toys category, but it helps to show your ability to meet order requirements).
Additional Documents:
- Company name, business license, seller ID, contact information
- List of ASINs for the toys you intend to sell
- Compliant product images and safety documentation
- Test reports from a CPSC-accepted laboratory

If you’ve been selling on Amazon for a while and have a solid reputation, you might get automatic approval. In this case, Amazon will notify you that your application has been approved right away.

Alternatively, if you find the ungating process overwhelming, you can use Amazon ungating services, which help sellers navigate the process quickly and efficiently.

How Long Does It Take to Get Ungated in the Toys Category?

The time it takes to get ungated depends on various factors, such as the age of your account and your selling performance. It could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to get approval. Some sellers have reported getting ungated within 48 hours, while others may experience delays.

What to Do If You Don't Get Approved?

It's not uncommon for Amazon to reject the first ungating request. If your application is rejected, don’t panic. Contact Amazon Seller Support to understand the reason for the rejection, then address any issues and reapply when you’re confident that you meet all the requirements.

Final Thoughts

Selling products from gated categories like Toys on Amazon can be highly beneficial, as these categories tend to have less competition, resulting in more sales and profits. While it may take some effort to meet all the requirements for ungating, it is certainly worth pursuing. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can successfully get ungated in the Toys category and start selling with fewer restrictions.