To get ungated in grocery on Amazon, check whether your account needs approval for Grocery & Gourmet, buy grocery products from a wholesale supplier, and submit an Apply to Sell request with an invoice that meets Amazon’s requirements. Plan for expiration dates too: grocery products have extra rules once they reach Amazon’s warehouses.
Quick answer: Search a grocery product in Seller Central. If approval is required, buy from a manufacturer or distributor, get an invoice that matches your Seller Central details, and submit it through Apply to Sell. Amazon decides; there is no guaranteed route.
Why Grocery Is Gated
Food is consumed, so Amazon is careful about where it comes from, how it is stored and how fresh it is. That is why grocery approval looks at both your supplier and your ability to handle dated products.
Step 1: Check Your Account
Search a few grocery products in Seller Central (Catalog > Add Products). Some accounts are approved for the whole category, some need approval product by product, and some brands are gated even after category approval.
Step 2: Buy From a Wholesale Supplier
Order the grocery products you want to sell from a manufacturer or distributor. Pick products you actually plan to sell, so your ungating purchase is also your first inventory. You can browse our grocery wholesale for Amazon sellers.
Step 3: Check Your Invoice
Before you submit, make sure the invoice:
- shows your business name and address exactly as in Seller Central
- shows the supplier’s name, address and contact details
- is recent and lists the products and quantities
The full list is in Amazon invoice requirements for ungating.
Step 4: Apply to Sell
Click “Apply to sell” on a grocery product, follow the steps shown, upload your invoice and submit. Answer any follow-up questions quickly.
Grocery-Specific Rules: Expiration Dates
Grocery products usually carry an expiration or best-by date, and Amazon has rules for how those dates are shown and how much shelf life products need when they arrive. Products that arrive too close to their date can be refused or disposed of.
Before you buy, ask your supplier about the dates on each product, and read our guide to expiration date requirements.
Other Things to Watch
- Temperature: chocolate and other products that melt can be restricted in warm months.
- Storage and condition: dented cans, broken seals or damaged packaging can lead to complaints.
- Labels: packaging should be in English and show the information US rules require.
Related Category Guides
Grocery is not the only category that needs approval. See how to get ungated in health & household and how to get ungated in beauty topicals, or go back to the main guide on how to get ungated on Amazon.
Sourcing Grocery From Us
We supply grocery and other wholesale categories to Amazon sellers, and every order includes an invoice. Read more about wholesale invoices for ungating. Amazon makes the final decision on approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get approved to sell grocery on Amazon?
Check whether approval is needed for your account, buy grocery products from a wholesale supplier, then submit an invoice through Apply to Sell.
Can I use a grocery store receipt to get ungated?
Usually not. Amazon wants a commercial invoice from a manufacturer or distributor, not a retail receipt.
Is grocery approval the same as brand approval?
No. Category approval lets you list in the category, but some grocery brands have their own restrictions.