The complete guide on how to get an approval for any restricted category on Amazon India with an example from grocery and gourmet food category
Each product goes through the approval process at Amazon India. A certain category of products needs extra documentation and approval. An approval process is simple and easy enough if one knows what needs to be done.
So, let us understand this with an example from “Grocery and Gourmet Food” category. I have selected it because it requires additional approval.
Categories Requiring Extra Approval
If you are planning to list and sell items that fall under the below-mentioned categories, it will need approval.
- Baby
- Beauty
- Clothing & Accessories
- Fashion Jewellery
- Grocery and Gourmet Food
- Health & Personal Care Appliances
- Luggage
- Luxury Beauty
- Pet Supplies
- Shoes and Handbags
- Watches
Each category has a different set of documents needed for approval. Products will be listed in the marketplace only after the seller has completed the approval process with all documents uploaded and verified.
The complete list of each product in each category as allowed by Amazon India is here.
Prohibited Categories
For instance, there are some products a seller cannot sell in India. So here is the list of prohibited categories.
- Alcohol
- Animals & Animal Products
- Automotive and Powersports
- Books, Pamphlets, Booklets, Periodicals, Films (Banned Books)
- Coins and Paper Money Collectibles guidelines and examples
- Used Clothing and Shoes
- Cosmetics & Skin/Hair Care
- Currency, Coins & Cash Equivalents
- Dietary Supplements
- Drugs & Drug Paraphernalia
- Electronics
- Entertainment Product Guidelines
- Fine Art
- Food & Beverage
- Gambling & Lottery
- Hazardous & Dangerous Items
- Human Parts & Burial Artifacts
- Jewelry & Precious Gems
- Large Appliances
- Medical Devices and Accessories
- Offensive Products
- Other
- Plastic and Thermocol
- Postage Meters & Stamps
- Recalled Products
- Sexual Wellness
- Surveillance Equipment
- Stolen Property & Lock Picking Devices
- Sports Collectibles Guidelines and examples
- Tobacco & Tobacco-Related Products
- Televisions
- Weapons
Another example is a seller cannot sell used clothes. Amazon updates this list periodically. Check here for the complete list of prohibited products.
Common FAQs For Restricted Categories
Here are some of the common question among new sellers that I will like to address first.
What is the Difference Between Restricted & Prohibited Categories?
There are certain products ban in India. So Amazon India also doesn’t allow the selling of such products. Apart from those, there are certain sensitive categories like Alcohol or Gambling products.
So products that aren’t permitted to be sold on Amazon India are termed as “prohibited“. Typically these products are illegal, unsafe or banned by Indian laws including products available only on prescription.
On the other hand, with proper documentation and licenses, anyone can sell certain products. These products fall under “restricted” categories.
What Happens When I list a Product in Restricted and Non-restricted Category?
Sellers can list their products in multiple categories. But if you are trying to list products that are not permissible or needs prior approval then one has to follow the process.
It means, the product will be listed in the non-restricted category only when the approval for the restricted category is cleared.
Here is a step by step guide on How to add a new product on Amazon India.
How long does it take to get a category approval?
One cannot determine a fixed time for a restricted category to get approved,
The time of approval can vary depending on the category. So it is not always a fixed time. You need to contact the Amazon seller support for approval process status.
However, the standard turn around time for approval (No official confirmation from Amazon India) is 7 to 10 working days.
Common List of Necessary Documents for Restricted Categories
Before going into the approval steps for each category here is the list of common documents necessary for all restricted category. Depending on the category, the actual documents will vary.
- Purchase Invoice (at least 1)
- Government license (depending on products)
- Product images
- Email address
- Contact number
Now, there are certain conditions to be fulfilled while preparing the above documents before submitting them to the team Amazon. Let them understand one by one.
1. Purchase Invoice Criteria
This is common for all restricted category of products.
- The invoice must not be old than 180 days
- The purchase bill must include your Amazon India business name and address
- It must include the name & address of the manufacturer or distributor
- It must show a minimum purchase of certain units
- The invoice shall include either the model number, size, quantity, material or weight along with product name.
- It must also include your GST number or any government registered license number as per the requirement of the category.
- It must have a product expiration date (must for food category)
- Price is not mandatory in the purchase invoice.
2. Government License, Certificate or Report
There are different kinds of license required in distinct categories. Below is the list of government license that may be required initially to submit while requesting for approval.
Submit the one which is required for the category you wish to sell. It is not compulsory to have all the below-listed certificate for a seller.
- Cosmetics license for cosmetics manufactured in India
- Cosmetics registration for imported cosmetics
- Ayush drug license (for ayurvedic products)
- National accreditation board for testing & calibration laboratories (NABL) accredited lab reports for food products.
- Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) manufacturing license
- Indian standard institute certificate (ISI)
- ISO 9001 Quality Management Standards Certificate
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) License (for food)
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Local Municipality Registration Certificates
- GST Registration Certificate
3. Product images
If your product packing is in the form of a pouch then back and front both sides images and if it is in a box then 4 sides images will be required with clear logo, brand name, manufacturer’s address, contact details, barcodes etc.
If you are requesting approval for food items, the FSSAI and green vegetarian logo should be clearly visible on product packing along with manufacturing date and expiry. Remember, the price is not mandatory on product packings.
4. Contact Details
Sellers contact details like email address and phone number are mandatory. So, let’s see with an example step by step how to apply for a restricted category approval.
Also Read: How to Get First (Or Next) Customer Review on Amazon India?
How to Get Approval For Grocery and Gourmet Food Category on Amazon India?
Log in to your Amazon India seller central account. Click Add a Product under Inventory tab on the seller panel. (If you aren’t a registered seller on Amazon India read our step by step guide for Seller Registration Process.)
You are on Add a Product page. Type the product name or category name you are willing to apply for approval in the Search bar under List a New Product title. We will use the food category as an example.
See the image below.
Upon searching for ready-made food you get a whole list of food products already listed on Amazon India. Readymade food falls under the main category Grocery & Gourmet Foods.
Click on Request approval. You will then be taken to the Selling Application page. Now, click again on Request approval.
Now, you are on the Question & Answer Page. Select the appropriate option for the questions asked. Refer below.
Depending on the type of business (reseller/distributor, manufacturer or both), they ask to submit documents.
Required Documents
As in here, I have selected both, so the documents to be submitted will be:
- BIS/ISI license or a Government approval certificate
- At least 1 purchase invoice from a manufacturer or distributor
- The FSSAI License
The list of documents differs depending on the product seeking approval. Amazon India team may or may not ask for certain documents.
For example, while requesting approval for watches they only ask for the purchase invoice from a manufacturer or distributor.
Finally, after providing your contact details click Agree and Submit. Although Phone is optional here it is advised to give in so that Amazon team can contact you in case of a query.
Once you submit the approval request, Amazon team will review it and let you know about their decision via email.
If in case they reject your request, they will provide an explanation as to why they did so and help you with how to reapply again. Before re-applying rectify the errors in your documents if any.
Also Read: How to Create Manual Targeted Ad Campaigns on Amazon India?
How to Check the Request Approval Status?
Sellers can monitor the status of the request in seller panel under Manage Your Case Log. The system will generate a case log with a unique ticket number and the seller will get notification via email.
Refer to the image below.
