How to Get Topical Products Approved on Amazon?
TOPICAL CATEGORY ON AMAZON
'Topical' means anything that touches your skin directly. So, things like skin creams, serums, lotions, and makeup are called topical products. You have to meet some requirements to get approved and sell them on Amazon.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO GET STARTED?
The application process for topical products on Amazon and other restricted items is essentially identical. Prior to initiating the application process for topical products, make sure to fulfill these requirements.
Professional Seller Account:
To initiate the approval process for selling topical products on Amazon, it is necessary to have a Professional Seller account. Acquiring a Professional selling plan entails a monthly charge of $39.99, as well as additional selling fees. With a Professional Seller account, you gain the ability to sell an unlimited number of items on Amazon.
Seller Account Health:
If you are a Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM) seller and handle order fulfillment independently, it is crucial to prioritize the following factors. Ensure that you closely monitor and meet these metrics:
- Order defect rate: < 1%
- Pre-fulfillment cancel rate: < 2.5%
- Late shipment rate: < 4%
To access these metrics, please log in to your Seller Central account and follow these steps:
- Click on "Performance" in the navigation menu.
- Select "Customer Satisfaction."
- Choose "Account Health."
From there, you will be able to review your Amazon account health metrics and compare them to the suggested values. Ensure that your metrics are either the same as or higher than the recommended values.
Purchase Items From Reputable Wholesalers:
In order to apply for ungating in a restricted category on Amazon, it is mandatory to provide evidence of purchasing a minimum of 10 units across three different restricted categories. It is important to ensure that these products fall within the specific restricted category you intend to sell. Additionally, the selected products must have valid ASINs and should already be listed on Amazon.
The purpose of purchasing products from a wholesaler is solely to fulfill the requirement for ungating, rather than aiming to generate profit from these items. Therefore, it is advisable to choose low to mid-value items instead of high-dollar items when making these purchases.
Invoice:
When purchasing from a wholesaler, it is crucial to ensure that you provide accurate and matching details that correspond to your Seller Central account. Verify that your email address, phone number, address, and name are all consistent.
If the invoices you receive do not already display your seller's name at the top, add them before submission. Additionally, remember to include the ASIN, UPC, and item model number for each product on the invoice. It is recommended to black out or remove any pricing information on the invoice.
If you need to convert Amazon ASIN to UPC, there are guides available that can assist you in this process.
Once you have included all the necessary details on the invoice, you have the option to either scan the invoice or take clear pictures of it for submission purposes.
Applying for Topical Products on Amazon: Step-by-Step Guide
Submitting Your Application for Topical Products on Amazon:
- Access your Amazon Seller Central account and log in.
- Navigate to the "Inventory" menu and select "Add a Product."
- Search for the specific item you wish to sell.
- Locate the "Listing limitations apply" link adjacent to the item.
- Click the "Request Approval" button to initiate the application process.
For a quicker response, it is advisable to submit your application during US business hours. Typically, you can expect approval within a few hours to a few days.
Regardless of the outcome, you will receive a confirmation email regarding the status of your application. Additionally, you can check the progress of your application in the "Selling Application Status" tab.
What’s Next?
If your application is not approved immediately, there's no need to panic. Remember, you have another opportunity to reapply. Take the time to carefully review your application and ensure that you have met all the requirements. If you are uncertain about the reason for the rejection, reach out to the support team for assistance.
Alternatively, you can also consider reaching out to freelancers on Fiverr or Upwork who offer ungating services or look for companies that provide such services. These professionals can assist you in navigating the approval process and increase your chances of getting approved.
If you need further assistance, just send an email to support@zonbase.com or use our Live Chat.