# Amazon Category Requirements

Category-specific requirements, restrictions, and approval processes.

## Category Overview

### Open Categories (No Approval Needed)
- Home & Kitchen
- Sports & Outdoors
- Tools & Home Improvement
- Office Products
- Pet Supplies
- Toys & Games (some subcategories gated)

### Gated Categories (Approval Required)
- Beauty
- Health & Household
- Grocery & Gourmet Food
- Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry
- Watches
- Luggage & Travel Gear
- Major Appliances

### Restricted Products (Special Requirements)
- Hazmat/Dangerous Goods
- Batteries
- Electronics with lasers
- Products with pesticides
- Medical devices

## Detailed Category Requirements

### Health & Household / Supplements

**Required Documents:**
- Certificate of Analysis (COA) for supplements
- FDA facility registration (if applicable)
- GMP certification documentation
- Product liability insurance

**Content Requirements:**
```
Title: Must include supplement type and count
Bullets: Cannot make medical claims ("treats", "cures")
Description: FDA disclaimer required
Images: Supplement Facts panel visible
```

**FDA Disclaimer (Required):**
```
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. 
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
```

**Prohibited Claims:**
❌ Treats/cures diseases
❌ Prevents conditions
❌ "Doctor recommended" (without proof)
❌ Weight loss claims (unless FDA approved)

**Required Label Information:**
- Supplement Facts panel
- Serving size
- Ingredients list
- Allergen warnings
- Directions for use
- Storage instructions
- Manufacturer information
- Expiration date

### Electronics

**Required Certifications:**
- FCC (Federal Communications Commission) for US
- CE marking for EU
- UL listing (recommended)

**Content Requirements:**
```
Title: Include model number, key specs
Bullets: Technical specifications, compatibility
Description: Setup instructions, warranty info
```

**Required Information:**
- Model number
- Technical specifications
- Power requirements
- Compatibility details
- Warranty information

### Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry

**Required Information:**
- Size chart (critical)
- Material composition
- Care instructions
- Country of manufacture

**Content Requirements:**
```
Title: Include size, color, material, style
Bullets: Fit details, material benefits, care instructions
Description: Sizing guidance, style tips
```

**Variations:**
- Parent-child relationships required
- Size and color variations
- Image requirements per variation

### Home & Kitchen

**Requirements:**
- Safety warnings (if applicable)
- Material specifications
- Care instructions
- Dimensions/weight

**FDA Requirements (Food Contact):**
- BPA-free statements (if applicable)
- Food-safe materials documentation

### Beauty & Personal Care

**Required Documents:**
- Ingredient list
- Safety testing
- Expiration dating

**Content Restrictions:**
- No before/after photos
- Cannot claim permanent results
- SPF claims require FDA approval

## Approval Process for Gated Categories

### Step 1: Check Eligibility
- Professional seller account
- Good account health
- No policy violations

### Step 2: Prepare Documents
**Commonly Required:**
- Purchase invoices (from last 180 days)
- Authorization letters from brand owners
- Product safety documentation
- Business license

### Step 3: Submit Application
1. Seller Central → Inventory → Add a Product
2. Search for your product
3. Click "Request Approval"
4. Upload required documents
5. Submit and wait

### Step 4: Wait for Review
- Timeframe: 24 hours to 2 weeks
- Check email for updates
- May request additional documents

## Category-Specific Fees

### Referral Fees by Category
| Category | Fee |
|----------|-----|
| Electronics | 8% |
| Home & Kitchen | 15% |
| Health & Personal Care | 15% |
| Clothing | 17% |
| Jewelry | 20% |
| Grocery | 15% |
| Supplements | 15% |

*Note: Fees vary by subcategory. Check Seller Central for exact rates.*

### Variable Closing Fee
Applied to Media categories:
- Books
- Music
- DVD/Video
- Software
- Video Games

## Product Safety Requirements

### Children's Products (12 and under)
- CPC (Children's Product Certificate)
- Third-party testing
- Tracking label requirements

### Products with Batteries
- UN 38.3 testing documentation
- Proper labeling
- Hazmat review

### Food & Beverage
- FDA facility registration
- Nutrition labeling
- Allergen declarations

## Hazmat/Dangerous Goods

### Products Requiring Hazmat Review
- Aerosols
- Flammable liquids
- Compressed gases
- Batteries
- Magnets (strong)
- Products with pesticides

### Process
1. Create listing
2. Amazon classifies product
3. May require SDS (Safety Data Sheet)
4. FBA restrictions may apply

## International Marketplaces

### Europe (UK, DE, FR, IT, ES)
- CE marking requirements
- EU declaration of conformity
- WEEE compliance (electronics)
- Packaging compliance

### Japan
- PSE mark (electronics)
- Food sanitation law compliance
- Japanese labeling requirements
- Local business registration

## Common Mistakes

### Category Misclassification
❌ Wrong: Putting supplement in "Health" instead of "Supplements"
✅ Impact: Listing suppressed, wrong fees applied

### Missing Safety Warnings
❌ Wrong: Kitchen knives without safety warnings
✅ Impact: Listing removed, policy violation

### Incorrect Dimensions
❌ Wrong: Wrong size in clothing (customer returns)
✅ Impact: High return rate, listing suspension

## Resources

### Amazon Official
- Seller Central Category Help
- Product Safety Requirements
- Category Style Guides

### Third-Party Tools
- Category Research: Jungle Scout, Helium 10
- Compliance: ComplianceMate, Certified Laboratories

---

*Category requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements in Seller Central.*