Having your Amazon seller account suspended can be stressful, but don’t worry—ESQgo® is here to help. Our Amazon account suspension lawyers can help you get back to business quickly and effectively.
With years of Amazon seller experience and extensive experience with Amazon legal matters, our Amazon lawyers have helped thousands of eCommerce brands recover their accounts and continue to grow their business.
Types of Account Suspensions That We Handle
Our Amazon account suspension lawyers help sellers through the challenges of account suspensions. Our attorneys have extensive experience in assisting sellers with reinstatement, regardless of the reason for their suspension.
While every suspension is unique, Amazon generally suspends accounts for one of three broad reasons:
- Decline in Seller Performance: Poor performance metrics can signal to Amazon that you’re not meeting their standards for customer satisfaction.
- Violation of Amazon’s Strict Policies: Amazon has intricate policies designed to protect the marketplace, and even an unintentional mistake can result in suspension.
- Selling Restricted or Prohibited Items: Certain products are not allowed on the platform, and listing them can lead to immediate action against your account.
While these are the common categories, the specific reason for your suspension will likely be detailed in your suspension notice. Understanding this reason—and crafting a strategic response—is critical for successful reinstatement.
Performance-Related Suspensions
Amazon monitors seller accounts for performance metrics, and exceeding certain thresholds can trigger suspension:
- Order Defect Rate: A rate above 1% signals consistent customer dissatisfaction.
- Late Shipment Rate: Shipping more than 4% of your orders late can harm your standing.
- Pre–Fulfillment Cancellation Rate: Canceling over 2.5% of orders before they ship is a red flag for Amazon.
Other Frequent Suspension Types
- Used Items Sold as New: Allegations that you’re selling used products as new can arise from customer complaints or Amazon’s reviews.
- Unsafe or Expired Products: Products flagged for safety concerns or expiration dates often result in suspension, requiring immediate action to fix the issue.
If your account has been suspended due to performance metrics, our Amazon suspension attorneys can help you identify the issues, implement corrective measures, and demonstrate improvements to Amazon.
Common Reasons for Suspension
Let’s look at a few reasons Amazon suspends accounts.
1. Drop Shipping Policy Violations
Amazon requires sellers to follow strict drop shipping rules, including being identified as the seller of record. Common mistakes include:
- Drop shipping from other online retailers
- Providing inaccurate or reused tracking information
- Failing to fulfill orders after confirming shipment
- Lacking valid invoices to prove product authenticity
2. Intellectual Property Complaints
Trademark, copyright, and patent issues are frequent causes of suspensions. When a complaint is filed, Amazon removes the product listing and requires the seller to resolve the issue with the rights owner. Ignoring such complaints can lead to account suspension.
3. Operating Multiple Seller Accounts
Amazon prohibits sellers from managing multiple accounts without approval. If your business requires additional accounts, you must apply for an exemption. Violating this policy can result in suspension.
4. Hacked Seller Accounts
Account security is crucial. If your account is hacked, it can lead to unauthorized activity and suspension. While we can help resolve these cases, taking proactive security measures is essential.
5. Selling Prohibited Products
Amazon frequently updates its list of restricted products. Selling prohibited products—intentionally or unintentionally—can lead to suspension. If your unrestricted product is marked restricted, we can help you understand what can be done to make it compliant.
6. Authenticity Complaints
Buyers may claim a product is inauthentic or not as described. Even baseless complaints can trigger suspension. We help resolve these issues swiftly, and we can help you with implementing quality control measures that can help protect your account.
7. Copyright Infringement
Using text or images that belong to someone else is a violation of intellectual property laws. These issues can be resolved by working with an Amazon seller attorney to address the complaint.
8. Unauthorized Sales
Selling items without being an authorized distributor can result in intellectual property complaints. Many of these complaints are baseless, and we can help reinstate your account by addressing them correctly.
What Happens When Your Account Is Suspended?
When Amazon suspends your account, you lose access to selling privileges, and additional penalties may follow:
- Amazon may hold your funds for up to 90 days or more.
- Per Item Fees may apply for removing inventory from Amazon warehouses.
- Without a successful appeal, your account could be permanently deactivated.
The Suspension Process
- Notification Email: Amazon informs you of the suspension and provides a timeline for filing an appeal (typically 17 days).
- Appeal Submission: You must submit a well-crafted appeal letter with a detailed Plan of Action.
- Response From Amazon: Amazon may request clarification or additional information before making a decision.
- Permanent Deactivation: If the appeal is unsuccessful within the timeline, the suspension may become permanent.
Suspension FAQs Answered by an Amazon Suspension Lawyer
Here are some common questions we receive:
Should I Make a New Amazon Account if My Seller Account Was Suspended?
No, do not create a new Amazon account if yours was suspended. Attempting to circumvent your suspension is likely to jeopardize your chances of getting your account reinstated.
Can I Modify My Invoices to Reinstate My Account?
No, do not attempt to modify your invoices after an Amazon account suspension. Sellers often believe that clarifying their invoices will rectify the situation. Unfortunately, Amazon is just as likely to consider this a fabrication, which will likely undermine any attempt to get your account reinstated.
Who Can I Talk to About My Amazon Account Suspension?
When you receive notice of your suspension, it will direct you to communicate only with the Seller Performance department via email or through Amazon Seller Central. There is no phone number you can call to talk with someone in person.
As frustrating as this can be, there are no other departments that can help you, and they may actually provide you with inaccurate or misleading information.
We recommend you do not attempt to circumvent the Seller Performance department; however, reaching out to an Amazon suspension lawyer at our firm at this point is a good starting point toward a resolution.
What Are My Options After My Amazon Account Suspension?
If your account has been suspended, your only option is to file an appeal, which must be thorough, logical, and well-written. There is specific information that Amazon will be looking for you to include.
If you fail to provide that information, your appeal will likely be rejected. An Amazon suspension lawyer at our firm knows how to draft an effective appeal that includes the information Amazon reps expect to see. Contact us today for assistance getting your account reinstated with minimal hassle.
How an Amazon Account Suspension Lawyer Can Help
Many Amazon sellers mistakenly assume that filing an appeal is a simple or informal process. Unfortunately, this misunderstanding often leads to appeals that hurt rather than help their case.
Sellers may submit appeals filled with complaints about customers, grievances about Amazon’s policies, or emotional venting borne out of frustration. These types of appeals fail to address the core issue and are likely to be denied.
We approach the appeal process with precision and a clear strategy. Our Amazon Account suspension attorneys will:
Identify the Basis for Your Amazon Suspension
Contrary to what you may think, it isn’t always easy to identify why your account has been suspended. This is a critical step because it will shape how you proceed with your appeal.
For example, if your account has been suspended for performance reasons, you will need to review your account and identify what issues you need to address. Your lawyer can help with this process.
Help You Draft a Plan of Action
Amazon requires that you submit a Plan of Action detailing how you are going to address the issue that prompted your suspension. An experienced lawyer from our firm understands how to draft a Plan of Action that succinctly summarizes the issue and the specific steps you will take to resolve it.
Manage the Process Once Your Appeal Is Filed
Often, sellers do damage to their reinstatement by pestering Amazon once the appeal has been filed. Amazon states that it will respond to your appeal within 48 hours, but it can take up to 60 days.
The appeals process can be frustrating; that is why working with an Amazon suspension attorney is your best option for ensuring that your appeal is granted and your account is reinstated in the shortest possible time.
Contact an Amazon Suspension Attorney for a Free Consultation
An Amazon seller account suspension can be incredibly frustrating and costly, with unexpected challenges affecting your business operations. At ESQgo®, we understand that every aspect of your business—whether it’s managing branded items, resolving competitor disputes, or addressing seller feedback—is vital to your success.
We offer tailored advice on eCommerce matters and actionable solutions to guide you through the reinstatement process. Learn how we can help you by reaching out today.