Amazon offers a wide variety of categories you can sell products on. Some of them are restricted and require approval from Amazon while more than 20 categories are open without further restrictions. Hardware shop, software and office supplies are among the so-called open categories. These are open to private seller accounts and professional seller accounts. With a professional account you may also sell in categories like beauty, fashion & clothing, watches and jewelry, but you will need approval from Amazon. With the approval procedure Amazon wants to ensure sellers stick to standards and quality attributes. These quality standards help to keep customer confidence high, when they purchase these products on the Amazon Marketplace.
Overview - open Amazon categories and product examples
In the overview below you find all open categories that do not require approval from Amazon for your listing. There are product examples for each category. Note that for some categories only brand-new products are allowed, while other categories are open to used, rebuilt and certified products as well as collector items. You can only sell brand new baby products, shoes or handbags. Office supplies, Electronics or computer accessories instead could be used or rebuilt as well.
Category | Product examples | Product condition |
Car & Motorcycle | Tools, spare parts and accessories | new |
Baby products | Baby stroller, pacifier, baby phone | new |
Hardware store | Floor cover, tools, measurement | new, used, rebuilt and certified |
Lighting | Light bulbs, flashlight, LEDs | new, used, rebuilt and certified |
Books, music, video, CDs | Books, Music, VHS, DVD, Blu-ray | new, used |
Office supplies | Fax, Copier, printer, office furniture, stationary, toner | new, used, rebuilt and certified, collectors items |
Computer and accessories | Tablet, notebook, Hard-disk, Headset, USB-Stick, keyboard | new, used, rebuilt and certified |
Electronics and accessories | TV-set, camera, HIFI, Smartphones | new, used, rebuilt and certified |
House and garden | Plants, flowers, garden tools and -furniture | new, used, rebuilt and certified |
Pet products | Fish tank, pet food, riding saddle | new, used |
Kitchen & household | Kitchenware, tableware, vacuum cleaner | new, used |
Musical instruments & DJ equipment | Instruments, recording & DJ equipment, stage equipment | new, used, rebuilt and certified |
Shoes and handbags | Sneaker, sports shoe, accessories, handbags | new |
Software | Software for offices, antivirus software | new, used, collectors items |
Sports and leisure | Sportswear and -equipment, tents, bicycles | new, used, rebuilt and certified, collectors items |
Video games | Video- and computer games, gaming accessories | new, used |
Accessories for Amazon devices | Accessories for Amazon-devices (Kindle, Alexa) | new, used, rebuilt and certified |
Because Amazon updates their categories regularly, you can find the latest overview on the Amazon site here: Overview of Categories
Overview: restricted Amazon categories and product examples
Product listings in below categories require Amazon’s approval. If you meet Amazon’s criteria your request will be approved
Category | Examples of acceptable products | Product condition |
Beauty | Body Lotion, Make-up, Perfume | new |
Clothing | Ladies-, Men’s-, children clothing | new |
Beer, wine and liquor | Beer, wine, spirits, liquor | new |
Drugstore and personal hygiene | Shampoo, skin care products | new |
Food and beverages | Bread, bakery, coffee, tea | new |
Toys and children products | Plush toys, puzzles, costumes, exercise books | new, used, rebuilt and certified, collectors items |
Watches and jewelry | Watches and jewelry for Ladies, gents and kids, accessories | new |
Improper products not to be sold on Amazon
Be aware that all products offered need to meet the relevant regulations and laws. Amazon will remove improper offers. But what are improper products?
If you are selling watches and jewelry, certificates of authenticity are required. If the certificates are missing, you cannot legally sell these products via Amazon. In the car & motorcycle category, used spare parts would be considered improper.
If you want to read more about the tariffs and fees at Amazon, then check my article “Tariffs and fees for Amazon sellers”
