Selling on Amazon in 2025 is no longer as simple as creating a listing, uploading images, and launching PPC. Amazon’s marketplace has grown to over 9.7 million sellers, and with that scale comes strict compliance rules. Every year, Amazon strengthens its product safety and legal compliance policies to protect customers and reduce liability. This means that many products that were once easy to list now fall under “restricted,” “requires approval,” or “prohibited” categories.

In 2025, Amazon updated a large portion of its Restricted Products List, particularly in sensitive categories such as dietary supplements, children’s products, medical devices, laser devices, lithium battery products, and energy drinks. Because these rules change quickly, sellers must stay updated to avoid sudden listing removals or account health warnings. This article provides a fully detailed, narrative explanation of Amazon’s restricted product categories, recent updates, examples, documentation requirements, and what sellers must do to stay compliant.

What Are Amazon Restricted Products?

Amazon restricted products are items that Amazon only allows sellers to list under specific conditions, often requiring documentation such as compliance certificates, lab reports, SDS sheets, FDA approvals, or invoices directly from manufacturers. Some products are restricted only in certain countries, while others are completely banned across all marketplaces. Amazon restricts these items for various reasons: legal regulations, safety concerns, counterfeit prevention, or high abuse potential.

For example, supplements are restricted because some contain banned ingredients that can harm consumers. Medical devices require regulatory approval because incorrect usage can be dangerous. Cosmetics need accurate ingredients and labeling because many unregulated products cause skin damage. These restrictions don’t mean sellers cannot sell these products rather, they must follow the proper approval processes, safety documentation, and manufacturing transparency that Amazon requires.

1. Alcohol & Alcohol-Related Restrictions

Amazon continues to prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages across most marketplaces. This includes spirits, beer, wine, and even partially fermented drinks. Sellers often try to list alcohol under misleading categories, but Amazon’s automated systems detect alcohol content through label analysis.

However, Amazon permits the sale of alcohol-related accessories such as bar tools, shakers, glasses, and gift sets as long as they do not contain alcohol. Non-alcoholic beverages with less than 0.5% alcohol are also allowed, but Amazon requires accurate labeling.

New in 2025, Amazon introduced automated ABV (alcohol-by-volume) detection using image recognition. Products labeled as “non-alcoholic” but containing more than 0.5% alcohol are instantly removed. This update primarily impacts sellers importing beverages from overseas markets where the “non-alcoholic” threshold is higher than in the U.S.

2. Animals, Animal Products, and Wildlife Protection

Amazon fully prohibits the sale of live animals, endangered animal byproducts, and illegal wildlife materials. Examples include ivory, shark fins, turtle eggs, and any part sourced from protected species.

Legal animal-derived products such as leather goods or ethically sourced bone materials may be sold, but sellers must provide evidence of legal sourcing upon request. Pet supplements fall under a restricted category as well and require laboratory test reports, Certificates of Analysis (COA), and proof that the product was manufactured in a facility following GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices).

Amazon prioritizes global wildlife protection laws and will immediately suspend listings that violate CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). In 2025, more automated compliance scans identify miscategorized or mislabeled animal products, especially those imported from overseas suppliers.

3. Fine Art and Collectibles

The Fine Art category remains restricted because Amazon demands authenticity verification before allowing the sale of expensive or signed artwork. Sellers must provide certificates of authenticity, appraisals, and proof of ownership.

This prevents the sale of counterfeit paintings, fraudulent signatures, and misrepresented reproductions. Amazon sometimes even requires third-party appraisal or verification from recognized art institutions if the artwork exceeds a certain price threshold.

4. Automotive & Powersports Restrictions

Automotive parts are generally allowed, but certain high-risk items remain restricted. Airbags and airbag components are strictly prohibited due to safety and liability issues. Used tires, odometer tampering devices, and emission-defeating tools are also banned.

In 2025, Amazon added a new restriction for lithium battery-powered jump starters. Many cheap imported devices pose fire hazards, so Amazon now requires detailed battery specifications, SDS sheets, and proof of certified battery cells.

Car seats, helmets, and child safety accessories require compliance with U.S. federal safety standards. Sellers must provide test reports proving compliance before selling.

5. Baby Products and Child Safety Compliance

Anything intended for infants or young children faces strict scrutiny. Amazon prohibits the sale of used baby items, especially those tied to safety, such as cribs, strollers, and car seats. Drop-side cribs are banned entirely due to historical safety failures.

Even new baby products require detailed compliance documents such as Children’s Product Certificates (CPC), test reports, and safety warning labels. In 2025, Amazon requires all children’s product sellers to include age-grading, small parts warnings, and tracking labels on the product and packaging. Missing any of these leads to immediate ASIN suppression.

6. Beauty and Personal Care Products

Beauty is one of Amazon’s fastest-growing but most restricted categories. Many products make bold claims that enter medical territory, such as “heals acne,” “removes scars,” or “treats eczema.” Amazon now automatically flags such claims and requires the seller to provide clinical evidence or remove the claim.

Amazon prohibits cosmetic products that contain banned chemicals such as hydroquinone above 2%, mercury, or certain unregulated skin-lightening agents. Products like IPL hair removal devices, facial lasers, and dermaplaning tools require documented safety testing.

Sellers must also have compliant labeling, including the full ingredient list, batch numbers, expiration dates, manufacturer addresses, and usage instructions. Missing any of these elements results in listing removal.

7. Books, Media, and Counterfeit Prevention

Amazon heavily polices the sale of books and media due to the rising issue of counterfeit textbooks. Sellers may not list pirated DVDs, unauthorized film copies, or ARC (Advance Reader Copy) books.

Signed books or collectible editions require proof of authenticity. Amazon may ask for appraisals or certificates verifying signatures or rarity. Listing counterfeit books often results in an immediate account suspension.

8. Dietary Supplements – Amazon’s Most Strictly Monitored Category

Supplements remain the most problematic and tightly regulated category on Amazon in 2025. Amazon requires supplements to include Certificates of Analysis from ISO-accredited laboratories. GMP certification from the manufacturing facility is mandatory.

Ingredients such as DMAA, DMHA, SARMs, Kratom, Yohimbine in unapproved forms, ephedrine, and many nootropics are banned entirely. Amazon aggressively removes supplements making unproven medical claims. AI-powered text analysis now automatically detects exaggerated claims such as “boosts testosterone 400%,” “cures joint pain,” “treats depression,” and similar language.

Liquid supplements, shots, and functional beverages attract additional scrutiny. Products missing FIC-compliant labeling, accurate ingredient percentages, or proper dosing instructions are often suppressed. In 2025, Amazon added additional restrictions to energy shots containing high caffeine levels and mood enhancement blends due to rising safety concerns.

9. Electronics, Surveillance Devices, and Security Equipment

Electronics are generally allowed, but Amazon prohibits devices that violate privacy laws. Hidden cameras without visible LED indicators, GPS blockers, signal jammers, and illegal tracking devices are banned.

Amazon also prohibits jailbroken streaming boxes that provide pirated content. High-powered radio frequency devices require certification before selling. Lithium battery electronics require detailed battery attributes such as watt-hour calculation, voltage, and safety mechanisms. Devices missing these details are automatically flagged.

10. Weapons, Explosives, and Self-Defense Tools

Amazon strictly prohibits firearms, ammunition, explosive materials, grenades, and military-grade equipment. Even realistic-looking airsoft guns may be restricted in certain regions.

Pepper spray is allowed only if it meets size and ingredient regulations. Stun guns, high-voltage tasers, and knuckle weapons are banned in most regions. Any device designed to injure or immobilize someone is typically classified as a prohibited product.

11. Grocery, Food, and Beverage Regulations

Food products are allowed, but Amazon prohibits perishable items requiring refrigeration unless sold through Amazon Fresh. Raw milk, homemade or unlabeled foods, and expired items are banned entirely.

Imported foods require country-of-origin labels, allergen statements, and compliance with food safety regulations. Beverages containing high caffeine levels, strong herbal stimulants, or unregulated nootropics are now subject to additional verification.

In 2025, Amazon’s compliance system scans product images to verify FIC-compliant labeling. Any mismatch or missing information triggers removal.

12. Medical Devices and Health Monitoring Equipment

Medical devices are another highly restricted category. Items such as blood pressure monitors, ECG devices, glucose meters, and nebulizers require FDA 510(k) clearance before being listed. Sellers must also provide manufacturer authorization and compliance documents.

Prescription drugs, insulin, syringes, and medical-grade needles remain completely prohibited. Amazon allows only non-invasive, over-the-counter medical equipment that has appropriate regulatory clearance.

13. Hazardous Materials and Dangerous Goods

Many everyday items are classified as dangerous goods, particularly products with lithium batteries, aerosols, flammable liquids, or pressurized gases. Amazon requires a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for all such items.

If the SDS is missing, incomplete, or poorly formatted, Amazon automatically flags the product. The seller must then go through the Dangerous Goods (DG) approval process before shipping inventory to FBA warehouses.

14. Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Diamonds

Fine jewelry requires approval due to the high risk of counterfeiting. Amazon requires certificates verifying metal purity, gemstone authenticity, and clarity. Luxury watches often require additional verification because counterfeit versions are common. Sellers must keep detailed invoices and authenticity documents to avoid account issues.

15. Laser Devices and UV Lighting Products

Amazon restricts laser products based on power output. Any laser above 5mW is considered unsafe. High-powered UV sterilization lamps also require certification to prove safety. Products with misleading descriptions, such as “invisible beam” or “military laser,” are automatically flagged in 2025.

16. Pesticides, Antimicrobial Products, and Chemicals

Amazon now considers any product with claims like “antibacterial,” “antifungal,” or “kills viruses” a pesticide. To list these items, sellers must provide EPA registration, SDS documents, and fully compliant labeling. Many surface cleaners, disinfectant sprays, and mold removers fall under this category.

Unregistered pesticides, chemical rodent killers, and strong insecticides are not allowed. Even natural repellents must avoid unapproved claims.

17. Seeds, Plants, and Fertilizers

Amazon prohibits the sale of invasive plant species, uncertified seeds, and live plants lacking proper documentation. Fertilizers containing certain chemicals require safety documents. Imported seeds need phytosanitary certificates proving that they are free from pests and diseases.

New Amazon Restrictions Introduced in 2025

Amazon has introduced several new rules this year due to safety concerns and misuse of AI-generated content. These include stricter enforcement of medical claims, expanded bans on stimulant-containing supplements, and improved detection of fake dietary labeling. Lithium battery-powered items face new packaging and documentation requirements, while children’s products must follow updated U.S. and EU safety guidelines.

Conclusion

Amazon’s Restricted Products List in 2025 is the most comprehensive and strict it has ever been. Sellers must remain informed, follow proper documentation, avoid risky claims, source products responsibly, and ensure proper labeling. Listing a product without understanding Amazon’s rules can lead to immediate suppression, loss of sales, and potential account damage.

By staying compliant and keeping your product documentation updated, you protect your business and maintain long-term success on the Amazon marketplace.