Amazon Suspension Policy and How to Address

If you are an Amazon seller, you may have encountered troubles or heard of an Amazon suspension policy. Does Amazon suspend accounts? Yes, Amazon seller account suspension is a serious problem that can affect your business and reputation. In this article, we will explain why Amazon seller accounts are suspended, Amazon suspension policy, how to address the suspension, let’s follow along.

What is an Amazon seller account suspension?

An Amazon seller account suspension occurs when Amazon restricts your ability to sell on their platform due to a violation of their rules or failure to meet their standards. This action negatively impacts your business and listings by causing a loss of sales, declining rankings, and a reduction in your IPI (Inventory Performance Index) score.

Moreover, any inventory you have stored with Amazon will be labeled as “unfulfillable,” and despite this status, you’ll continue to incur storage fees. After 60 days in the unfulfillable state, Amazon reserves the right to dispose of your inventory.

It’s important to note that an account suspension differs from an account termination, which signifies a permanent end to your status as an Amazon seller. However, there’s still a possibility of reinstating your account if you follow specific steps outlined by Amazon.

What are the most common reasons for amazon suspension?

Amazon seller accounts are suspended for various reasons, but they all stem from one common cause: violation of Amazon FBA suspension, Amazon FBM suspension, Amazon paid suspension policy or principles. Amazon has a set of rules and standards that sellers must adhere to ensure a safe and fair marketplace for both buyers and sellers.

Some of the most common reasons for Amazon suspension are:

Low sales performance

Amazon monitors the sales performance of sellers and evaluates them based on metrics such as order defect rate, cancellation rate, late shipment rate, valid tracking rate, and more. If a seller fails to meet the minimum requirements for these metrics, Amazon may suspend their account due to poor performance.

Selling prohibited products

Amazon prohibits the sale of certain illegal, unsafe, offensive, or intellectual property-infringing products. If a seller sells or attempts to sell any of these products, Amazon may suspend their account for policy violation.

Operating multiple seller accounts

Amazon allows sellers to have only one seller account unless they have a legitimate business reason and Amazon’s approval. If a seller opens or operates multiple seller accounts without permission, Amazon may suspend their account for misuse.

Copyright infringement

Amazon respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects sellers to do the same. If a seller sells or attempts to sell products that infringe on trademarks, patents, copyrights, or other rights of others, Amazon may suspend their account for violations.

These are just some of the reasons why Amazon seller accounts are suspended. There are many other potential reasons depending on individual circumstances.

Product Authenticity and Condition Complaints:

If a customer alleges the product they received is counterfeit through avenues like reviews, negative feedback, messages, or return requests, Amazon may close down your listing and request proof regarding the origin of your inventory. Typically, this involves furnishing invoices covering your sales within the past year alongside comprehensive supplier details. If Amazon is unable to authenticate your supplier or finds your documents inadequate, there’s a high probability of your account being suspended. This scenario also holds true, albeit to a lesser degree, for complaints about product condition.

Maintaining sound sourcing practices and meticulous documentation is crucial. Amazon maintains stringent document requirements and supplier verification standards, making it imperative to prioritize these factors when selecting suppliers. Sourcing directly from the brand or an authorized distributor should enable you to furnish the necessary documents and information, thus averting the risk of suspension.

Failed verification

Amazon employs a robust system to ensure the integrity of its marketplace and protect both buyers and sellers. When a seller fails the verification process, it may indicate issues with the information provided, non-compliance with Amazon’s policies, or other concerns related to account authenticity and security.

To prevent or address a suspension due to failed verification, sellers should promptly review and update their account information, ensuring accuracy and compliance with Amazon’s guidelines. In cases of suspension, following Amazon’s instructions for verification and providing the necessary documentation or information is crucial to reinstate the account. Regularly monitoring and adhering to Amazon’s policies can help maintain a healthy and trustworthy seller account.

Updating banking information

A mere update to your bank account information has the potential to result in the suspension of your Amazon account. If Amazon perceives discrepancies in your banking credentials and you cannot furnish the required additional information, they may proceed to suspend your account.

How Amazon will notify you if your account gets suspended

If your seller account on Amazon gets suspended, you’ll receive a notification through Seller Central and likely to the email address associated with your account. It’s crucial to regularly check the Account Health section in Seller Central to stay updated on the status of your Amazon Seller account.

Amazon won’t send notifications via text messages, so it’s essential to avoid clicking on any suspicious links sent to your phone.

It’s important to emphasize taking a moment to consider before taking action. Regardless of the type of account interruption you face, it’s wise to pause and assess your situation. While the immediate reaction might be to respond in protest, this approach can often lead to undesired consequences.

What happens when your account is suspended?

When an Amazon seller account is suspended, the following actions typically occur:

• The seller receives an email notification from Amazon explaining the reason for the suspension and the steps for appeal.
• The seller loses access to the seller account as well as all the features and functions associated with it.
• The seller cannot sell any products on Amazon or receive any payments from Amazon.

The seller must submit a Plan of Action (POA) to Amazon. If the seller fails to submit the POA, their account will continue to be suspended, and funds will be held.

How to Address the Suspension?

If your Amazon seller account is suspended, you should not panic or give up. You should take immediate action to resolve the issue and reinstate your account. Here are some steps you can take to address the suspension:

Identify the suspension reason:

You should carefully read the email notification from Amazon and understand the reason for the suspension. Review your account’s performance and activities to identify any errors or violations that may have led to the suspension.

Write a Plan of Action (POA):

You should write a POA that explains how you will address and resolve the issue that resulted in your suspension. The POA should include three elements: root cause analysis, corrective actions, and preventive measures. You must be honest, specific, and professional in your POA and provide evidence or documentation to support your appeal.

Submit an appeal letter:

You should send your POA and a concise, polite, and persuasive appeal letter to Amazon. The appeal letter should include your name, seller ID, ASINs (Amazon Standard Identification Numbers) of affected products, the reason for the suspension, and the desired outcome. You should also express apologies and a commitment to abide by Amazon suspension policy and principles.

Send the email and await a response:

You should send your POA and appeal letter to Amazon via email at [email protected]. Use a clear and concise subject line, such as “Suspension Account Appeal.” You should also attach any supporting documents or evidence that can substantiate your appeal. Be patient and avoid sending multiple emails or making repeated calls to Amazon.

What to Do If Your Appeal Is Unsuccessful?

If your appeal is unsuccessful, you may receive one of the following responses from Amazon:

• Denial: This means Amazon has rejected your appeal and decided not to reinstate your account. This is often the final decision, and you have no further recourse to appeal.
• Request for additional information: This means Amazon has reviewed your appeal but found it incomplete or unclear. Amazon may ask you to provide more information or clarification to reconsider your appeal. You should respond to Amazon’s request as soon as possible and provide the requested information or explanations.
• Escalation: This means Amazon has escalated your appeal for higher-level reviews. This can occur when your appeal is complex or contentious and requires further investigation or evaluation. You should await Amazon’s response and follow their instructions.

If your appeal is denied or you are dissatisfied with Amazon’s response, you still have one final option to recover your account, and that is by using the services of an appeal service provider like Amazoker.

Amazon appeal service of Amazoker is offered by a team of professional and experienced experts who specialize in handling Amazon seller account issues. Amazoker can assist you in the following ways:

• Analyzing the root cause and severity of your suspension or contract termination.
• Crafting and sending custom and persuasive POAs and appeal letters to Amazon.
• Acting as your intermediary to contact and negotiate with Amazon to expedite the review process and increase your chances of reinstatement.
• Assisting you in resolving any other related issues or concerns with your seller account.

With Amazoker reinstatement service, you can save time, money, and hassle and recover your seller account as soon as possible. You can also avoid making mistakes or errors that could worsen the situation or damage your reputation. You will receive a free consultation and a quote for their services, as well as a satisfaction and success guarantee.

If you need more assistance or guidance on how to deal with complaints, you can also refer to Amazoker website services or contact Amazoker via hotline +1 580 262 6126 to get advice on how to handle it effectively.

How to Prevent Suspension?

The best way to deal with Amazon seller account suspension is to avoid it in the first place. Here are some tips on how to prevent suspension:

Comply with Amazon suspension policy, Amazon paid suspension policy and guidelines

Familiarize yourself with Amazon suspension policy and guidelines and strictly adhere to them. Stay updated on any changes or updates to Amazon suspension policy and principles and adjust your practices accordingly.

Monitor your account’s performance and activities

Regularly check your account’s performance and activities to ensure that you meet the minimum requirements for metrics like order defect rate, cancellation rate, late shipment rate, valid tracking rate, and more. Also, avoid any actions that may violate Amazon suspension policy or principles, such as selling prohibited products, opening multiple seller accounts, or infringing on intellectual property rights.

Provide excellent customer service

Offer excellent customer service to buyers and strive to exceed their expectations. Respond promptly and professionally to their questions, feedback, or complaints. Resolve any issues or disputes that may arise during transactions quickly and effectively.

Seek help when needed

If you encounter any difficulties or challenges with your seller account, seek assistance from Amazon or other sources as soon as possible. You can contact Amazon’s seller support team through phone, email, or chat and request support or guidance. You can also utilize tools like the Seller Help Center, Seller Forums, Seller Training Center, and more to find answers or solutions to your questions or issues.

Monitor your account’s health daily and ensure customer satisfaction by promptly addressing their needs. If time constraints are an issue, consider delegating health checks to a service provider who can review account performance notifications and suggest necessary actions.

Customer service should be a priority: Respond swiftly to customer inquiries and claims, ensure timely delivery of items, offer flexible return policies, and consider providing free replacements.

Be mindful of cultural nuances: Your customer service team, preferably native speakers, should possess comprehensive knowledge of Amazon’s regulations and be adept at handling customers from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Enhance your account’s performance: Amazon closely monitors account metrics to gauge customer satisfaction. Failing to meet Amazon’s standards can lead to account suspension. Key metrics to focus on include:

• Order defect rate: Below 1%
• Cancellation rate: Below 2.5%
• Late shipment rate: Below 4%
• Adherence to policies
• Valid tracking rate

Upload tracking numbers diligently: The valid tracking rate significantly impacts your account health. In case of a suspension, especially due to delivery issues, providing Amazon with uploaded tracking numbers to support your appeal can be beneficial.

Frequently Asked Questions About Amazon Seller Account Suspension

Here are some common questions and answers regarding Amazon suspension policy that you may find helpful:

How long does an amazon review process last?

Answer: The time it takes for Amazon to review your appeal can vary depending on the complexity and urgency of your case. Typically, it may take anywhere from 24 hours to 7 days for Amazon to review your appeal. However, there is no guarantee that Amazon will respond within this timeframe or at all. You should be patient and avoid sending multiple emails or making repeated calls to Amazon.

Can I open a new seller account if my old one is suspended?

Answer: No, you cannot open a new seller account if your old one is suspended. This goes against Amazon’s policies and guidelines and can lead to legal consequences for both you and the buyer. You should focus on reinstating your old account instead of opening a new one.

Can I sell my suspended account to someone else?

Answer: No, you cannot sell your suspended account to someone else. This also violates Amazon’s policies and guidelines and can lead to legal consequences for both you and the buyer. You should not engage in any activities related to transferring an Amazon account.

Will amazon suspend your account if I unintentionally violate the amazon paid suspension policy?

Answer: Amazon’s policies and actions can vary depending on the nature and severity of the violation, as well as whether it is a first-time or repeated offense. In cases of unintentional violations of Amazon’s policies, Amazon may suspend your account, and requires you to provide a specific plan of action.

In conclusion, dealing with Amazon suspension policy can be a challenging and stressful experience, but it is essential to address it promptly and professionally. By following the steps outlined in this article and seeking assistance from experts like Amazoker when needed, you can increase your chances of successfully reinstating your account and continuing your business on Amazon while also avoiding future suspensions.