If you’re an Amazon FBA seller and want to sell specific brands or in certain categories, you know there’s a gate you need to unlock first. Amazon puts this gate up to make sure only legitimate products and sellers get through. This is where invoices come into play. You need these documents prove you’re the real deal and so are your distributors. So can you get these invoices from online retailers? Yes, you can! Keep reading to see a list of stores that provide online invoices for Amazon FBA ungating.
Contents
What is Ungating?
Being “ungated” on Amazon means having permission to sell certain name brands or in specific categories that are locked up tight. Amazon wants to make sure everything in these categories and with these brands is top-notch, so they ask for invoices from your suppliers to check your products are legit.
Getting into ungated for these items is a big deal because it means less competition and more sales for you. But, getting Amazon’s green light requires jumping through some hoops.
Amazon Gated Categories
Once you’re an established seller, you’ll start being auto-approved for several categories and brands. But if you’re a new seller, you more likely gated in the following categories:
- Automotive & Powersports
- Clothing, Accessories, Shoes & Luggage
- Collectible Books
- Collectible Coins
- Entertainment Collectibles
- Fine Art
- Fine Jewelry
- Gift Cards
- Grocery & Gourmet Foods
- Kindle Accessories
- Major Appliances
- Sexual Wellness
- Sports Collectibles
- Textbook Rentals
- Toys & Games
- Video, DVD & Blu-ray
- Watches
- Wine
Amazon Selling Application
You will know if you are gated if you try to add a product to sell, and you get the dreaded “Selling application for Brand”.
The selling application requires that you submit at least one invoice for those products from a manufacturer or distributor (a receipt will not suffice) And the invoice document must meet the following requirements:
- Dated within 180 days of the date you applied
- Includes your name and address, and that must match the information in your selling account
- Includes the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor
- Shows the combined purchase of at least 10 (ten) units
- You can omit pricing information if you’d like
- Check off that they may verify your submitted documents by contacting product vendors that you identify in your application
You will then upload a photo or scanned image of your image, and I recommend that you include the following verbiage under “Optional Comments” changing out the red text with your specific information.
Hello,
I am submitting Invoice #123456789 from an Amazon approved distributor, Retailer Name, dated DD/MM/YYYY, for Brand/Category approval.
I am including the matching Amazon ASIN# ABCDEFGHIJ .
Also, I am including the matching Retailer Name catalog number for that specific ASIN: KLMNOPQRST. All distributor contact information is located on the submitted invoice.
Being ungating in this brand will help us better serve your Amazon customers. If you have any further questions, please let us know. Thank you for your time and opportunity.
Regards,
Your Name
Your Business Name
Never, I repeat, never doctor up a document (ie change “receipt” to say “invoice”) as you can get your Amazon account deactivated by doing this.
After submittal, you should receive an email from Amazon saying they received your application and are reviewing the information you provided. You should receive an update in 2-3 business days.
Three days later, you should receive an approval email!
If Amazon rejects you the first time, don’t worry. Check if you missed anything or if anything is not clear, get it fixed, and resubmit.
If your submission all looks good, you may want to close the ticket and reopen a new one hoping to get a different Amazon representative.
Sometimes, it actually is good to take a photo of your hand holding the invoice (to show you are human) instead of scanning it. While I don’t condone this next thing, I’ve read that some use their thumb to cover up the word “receipt” and it gets accepted.
Or if it’s an immediate auto-rejection, try submitting your invoice upside down! The auto-bot then cannot read it so it will transfer to a human to read.
One commenter said approval for ungating by Amazon depends on “star alignment and karma” and I don’t disagree.
Online Stores That Provide Invoices For Ungating
So now we are getting to the good stuff! Below are our favorite online store we use for getting ungated. Most ungating services will charge a fee ranging from $50-$1798, to tell you exactly products and what stores to buy from. I personally have paid for such a service, but I am giving away all of this information to you for free! Why? Because I am an affiliate marketer, and since the some of stores listed below have affiliate programs, we may earn a small commission if you shop through our links. And there is no extra cost to you to shop through our links, so basically it’s a win/win for all of us!
As a side note, I always consider the cost of the items that I buy for ungating as an investment to expand my business as this allows me sell a new brand or in a new category. So don’t expect to make any money reselling all of the products you buy for ungating.
1. Amazon
Did you know that you can actually buy products from Amazon to resell on Amazon? Or use to get an invoice for ungating? Yes, you can, but it helps to use an Amazon Business account (it’s free). And if you plan to resell the items on Amazon, you CANNOT order the items with Prime Shipping. Therefore, always pick Standard Shipping for your order(s).
Also note, that some brands require that you buy 50 units (instead of the regular 10) if you are using Amazon. If this is the case, you will see an option under the required documents to submit.
To print your invoice on Amazon:
- Go to “Your Orders“.
- Select “Invoice” underneath the order number.
- Select “Print this page for your records” on the top of the order summary.
- Select your browser’s print button to then print or save as a PDF (which I prefer so you don’t have to rescan).
Click here for more invoice information directly from Amazon.
For more information about “Amazon Flipping” check out this article by OABeans.
2. ASOS
This online store has worked to get ungated in Under Armour and Columbia and other activewear name brands. You will need to chat with an agent after you order and request an invoice to be emailed to you. If you a student, you can even get a student discount on your order!
3. LTD Commodities
I used an LTD Commodities invoice to get ungated in the watches category, but they also sometimes have name brand items available such as Barbie, Precious Moments, Paw Patrol, Pokemon and more. LTD’s online inventory changes very frequently so if you don’t see a specific name brand now that you need, check back later.
To receive an invoice from LTD, wait until after your order has shipped. Then log into your account, click “My Orders” > “View past orders” > “Request Invoice” and your invoice will be emailed to you. LTD Commodities also sends out free catalogs which is easier to browse through for items to resell than searching their website.
4. Soccer.com
This website has helped several people get ungated in Under Armour, Adidas, and Nike! The invoice will be available online after the order is delivered. This online store also offers PayPal Credit as a buy now pay later payment option.
5. EE Distribution
I have personally used EE Distribution to get ungated in toys and ungated in various toy brands such as Hatchimals, Fingerlings, Fornite, Shopkins, DC Comics, and Jurassic Park. Just don’t plan on being able to order right away though as after I applied for a wholesale account, I had to have a call with a sales representative and a do walk-through on how to use the website.
6. BSN Sports
I’m embarrassed to admit that I paid a big chunk of change (four figures) to get ungated in Nike merchandise back in 2019 (before I knew about all of these other websites that would’ve worked), and this was the website that they gave me. They did detail out which exact item to buy (Nike socks were the least expensive item they sell).
When you order, make sure you use your exact Amazon business entity name and address on the Billing and Shipping Information portion. For “Classification”, I recommend using “Corporate”. There is a “Resale” option, but I’ve heard some businesses frown upon resellers.
Once you’ve completed your order, you’ll receive an invoice via e-mail. Print out the invoice and highlight the products bought, circle the invoice number and write the ASIN on the invoice. Take a photo or scan the updated invoice to upload.
7. Empire Discount
This wholesale toy online toy store specializes in helping get people ungated in toys and toy brands on Amazon as they even give you the ASIN for the items! They carry the big toy brands such as Hasbro, Disney, Barbie, Fisher-Price, Mattel, Spinmaster (although they are know to send out IP complaints), Nerf, Marvel, Star Wars, Hot Wheels, Justice League, and Funko. There prices are a tad high, so don’t plan on making a lot, if any, money on the inventory you buy. Just consider it an investment in being ungated.
8. Quill
Quill sells mainly cleaning and office supplies (such as Crayola), but they do have grocery items if you need ungated in groceries. You must set your Quill account as a Business account to access invoices.
If you need funding to buy inventory for ungating, check out these reseller financing options.
More Online Stores For Ungating
I belong to several Facebook groups about Amazon FBA, and have compiled a list of more online stores that have worked for others to get ungated. Please note that I have not personally tried any of the online stores listed below, but they have actually worked for others.
I do suggest signing up a business account if it is an option or at least include your business address in the shipping address. Do not submit anything that says “Receipt”. Amazon likes the document to say “Invoice”. If your online receipt or email receipt doesn’t say “invoice”, wait to see if the packing slip will work. And that doesn’t work, email or chat with customer support for the online store and request an invoice to be emailed to you.
- Academy.com – this has worked for some for Nike and Adidas
- BJ’s Wholesale – get a discounted membership here
- Kohls.com – many have used this for Nike & Lego using the packing slip
- Lego.com – this has worked for Lego (keychains are usually the cheapest)
- Miniature Market – for invoice, click Under Account > My Orders > Invoice > Download
- Nike.com – this has worked for Nike
- Target.com – save an extra 5% with the free RedCard
- Walmart.com – make sure that your items are actually shipped by Walmart and not a third party seller; Walmart has a new Business program that may be more helpful.
- Webstaurant Store
If you have used any other websites that would help others, please let me know so that I can update this post.
Still Need Help With Ungating?
If none of the above online arbitrage stores are able to help you, we recommend that you look for a wholesaler, reputable supplier or brand owner that carries the name brand or category of items that you are looking to sell.
Please note that not all wholesalers provide invoices. For example, Costco does not provide invoices, even though it is considered a wholesaler.
I’ve found it’s even helpful to keep reapplying with different ASINs for a specific brand. Sometimes, after so many tries, you will be auto-approved.
Amazon Ungating Service
If none of the above options work, you can use an Amazon ungating service. Just make sure they are legitimate and that you actually buy the product. Buying a doctored invoice is unethical if not borderline illegal.
Close Application PDF
If all else fails, several people have actually uploaded a PDF file of a document that simply says “Please Close My Application” (click here to download) and more times that not, they are then approved! Several people claim they do this, and I plan to try next time I’m rejected so I will report the outcome. And if they do actually close that application, simply reply with the original invoice. Persistence is key.
Conclusion
Getting ungated might seem like a marathon, but it’s worth it. With the right invoices and a bit of patience, you’ll be selling in those exclusive categories in no time. Just remember to keep everything above board with quality products and legit invoices, and you’ll be part of Amazon’s VIP seller club.
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