Amazon vs. Walmart: Gating & Restrictions

Sep 30 / Arta Rakoci
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Amazon vs. Walmart gating and restrictions can affect what you buy, where you list it, and whether your inventory can start earning. A product already selling on either marketplace doesn’t automatically mean your account can sell it.


Before you place an order or expand your catalog, check the requirements for your specific products. This guide explains how approvals work on each marketplace, what changes for used inventory, and where UniCon, Threecolts’ multichannel connector, fits into the process. UniCon helps you use an existing catalog to build listings on supported marketplaces and keep inventory and orders in sync. Amazon and Walmart still determine your selling eligibility.


Sources: UniCon overview | Amazon selling restrictions | Walmart pre-approval requirements

Key Definitions

At a Glance: Amazon vs. Walmart

Compare the requirements before you source or list
What to check
Amazon Seller Central
Walmart Seller Center
Where approval applies
Restrictions can apply to categories, subcategories, brands and individual products (ASINs). Approvals can overlap. Check approval requirements.
Pre-approval covers specified categories and product types, including books, ingestible and topical products, fragrances, luxury brands and software. Check the full current list.
How to check access
Go to Catalog → Add Products. Search the exact product and check the intended condition. Open Show limitations for requirements.
Review the category policy and item-setup messages. Check Settings → Account → Health and compliance for restricted-category tasks.
How to request approval
Use Apply to sell when available and submit the requested information. Some restrictions do not accept applications.
Use Request approval when shown in the relevant task. Follow the category’s instructions; contact Seller Support if the required route is unavailable.
What to prepare
Requirements vary. Amazon may request invoices, authorization or safety and compliance documents. Follow the specific application.
Requirements vary by category and product. Prepare the requested product, safety, compliance and authorization information.
Used or refurbished items
Used is allowed in eligible categories under Amazon’s condition guidelines. Renewed has separate qualification requirements.
Condition eligibility depends on the product and program. Resold and Collectibles participation is limited. For Pre-Owned, check Exclusives programs to apply.

Before buying inventory: Verify access for your own account, exact product and intended condition. Selling approval, product compliance and fulfillment eligibility are separate checks. Approval on one marketplace does not transfer to another.

Where UniCon helps: Once you’ve confirmed eligibility, UniCon can help reuse your existing catalog and sync listings, inventory and orders across supported marketplaces. Marketplace approval still comes from Amazon or Walmart.

Sources: Amazon approval requirements | Amazon condition requirements | Amazon Renewed | Walmart pre-approval policy | Walmart item conditions | UniCon overview

U.S. marketplaces · Updated September 30, 2026 · Recheck requirements in your seller account before listing.

Amazon Gating: Check The Product Before You Buy

Amazon can require more than one approval for the same item. Category access alone may not resolve a brand or product restriction.

An ASIN, or Amazon Standard Identification Number, identifies a product in Amazon’s catalog. Checking the exact ASIN helps you avoid relying on broad category assumptions.

Check And Request Approval

  1. Open Add Products in Seller Central.
  2. Search for the exact product.
  3. Select the condition you intend to sell.
  4. Review Show limitations, where available.
  5. Select Apply to sell if Amazon offers an application.
  6. Follow the requirements shown and track the request in your selling applications.

If Amazon isn’t accepting applications, you may need to choose different inventory and check eligibility again later.

Prepare The Requested Evidence

Depending on the application, Amazon may request manufacturer or distributor invoices, brand authorization, or other supporting information. Follow the exact requirements shown for your account rather than assuming every application uses the same quantities or document dates.

Permission to add an offer to an existing branded listing also differs from permission to create new detail pages for that brand. Brand owners and resellers should check which permission they need.

Note: Selling approval doesn’t replace product-safety requirements, condition guidelines, or FBA eligibility checks.

Sources: Amazon Selling Applications FAQ | Amazon guidance on selling branded products

Walmart Restrictions: Check Policies and Account Requirements

Walmart requires pre-approval for more than the fragrance and luxury examples you may have seen in older guides.


Its current policy includes books, ingestible and topical products, Class II or restricted medical devices, fragrances, luxury brands, software, certain seasonal products, custom content, and covered jewelry and precious goods. It also includes selected product types within OTC drugs, dietary supplements, medical devices, personal care and beauty, pet, and baby categories.


Review the specific product policy alongside the pre-approval list. Requirements can depend on the item, its ingredients, labeling, claims, and your account’s eligibility.

Request Category Approval

  1. Open Settings in Seller Center.

  2. Under Account, select Health and compliance.

  3. Review the Restricted categories task, when shown.

  4. Use the approval request available there and provide the requested information.



Walmart displays tasks relevant to your account. Follow any additional category-specific instructions or notices you receive.

If an item is already unpublished, review its stated reason. A compliance issue, an intellectual property issue, and a category approval requirement may need different responses.

Check Eligibility For Pre-owned Inventory

Walmart’s Resold program covers restored and pre-owned merchandise. Its condition guidance describes Resold and Walmart Collectibles as invitation-only programs.

To apply to sell Pre-Owned items through Resold, visit Exclusives programs in Seller Center. Available conditions vary by product, category, and program, so an Amazon Used condition shouldn’t simply be copied into a Walmart listing.

Sources: Walmart pre-approval categories: | Health and compliance guidance | Walmart item condition types

Check Eligibility Before Expanding Your Catalog

A few checks before sourcing can save you from inventory you can’t list.

  1. Confirm the product: Check identifiers, brand, pack size, and intended condition.

  2. Check your account’s permissions. Another seller’s active listing doesn’t establish your eligibility.

  3. Read the product policy. Separate approval requirements from prohibited-product and safety rules.

  4. Prepare supporting documents. Keep supplier records and the evidence requested for your application.

  5. Check fulfillment eligibility. Review FBA or WFS requirements before sending inventory.

  6. Recheck before launch. Review current restrictions and resolve outstanding tasks.

Where UniCon Helps

UniCon is Threecolts’ multichannel connector. It helps you use an existing source catalog to build listings for supported destination marketplaces, map product attributes, and keep connected inventory and orders in sync.


A useful approach is to check a small group of products first. Confirm their destination-marketplace eligibility, complete any required approvals, then use UniCon to map the listing information and review the destination fields.


For example, an Amazon seller expanding to Walmart can use their existing catalog as a starting point. They still need to confirm Walmart’s category permissions, accepted conditions, and product requirements before launching.


Quick Tip: UniCon helps with catalog setup and ongoing operations. Amazon and Walmart decide whether your account and products are eligible to sell.


Source: UniCon product overview

Frequenly Asked Questions

Final Tip

Check the exact product, your account’s permissions, and the condition you intend to sell. Complete the required approvals before launch, then use UniCon to reduce the work of expanding eligible inventory.

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