Amazon Account Suspended? Complete Reasons, Fixes, and Appeal Examples

Getting that email from Amazon that says “Your selling privileges have been removed” is a gut punch. Having your Amazon account suspended doesn’t just pause sales, it freezes your funds and wipes out your listings overnight.

Before firing off a rushed, emotional appeal, take a breath. The only way back is with a calm, clear strategy. This guide explains the main suspension reasons, the steps to fix them, and real appeal examples that we have successfully used to get reinstated.

Your first move is to dissect the suspension notice to understand exactly what Amazon is flagging. In 2024, Amazon has definitely tightened its enforcement. Over 35% of sellers have faced a suspension, hitting those in the $100,000 to $1 million revenue range particularly hard.

This trend, highlighted by My Amazon Guy, shows just how critical a precise response is. A sloppy appeal can easily turn a temporary problem into a permanent ban.

Your Immediate Suspension Response Plan

Common Reasons for Amazon Account Suspension (and How to Fix Them)

Let’s get into the specifics. Here are the most common reasons Amazon suspends accounts, along with the steps to fix them and professional appeal letter examples.

1. Poor Performance Metrics

A frequent reason sellers get their Amazon account suspended is weak performance metrics. Amazon monitors late shipment rate, order defect rate, and cancellation rate closely. If these fall below required thresholds, the system flags your account and suspension can follow quickly.

• The Issue: Your Order Defect Rate (ODR) is above 1%, Late Shipment Rate (LSR) is over 4%, or Pre-fulfillment Cancellation Rate is over 2.5%.
• Business Impact: Frozen funds, suppressed listings, and a complete halt to sales.
• Solution Steps:
  1. Go to the “Account Health” dashboard in Seller Central to identify the failing metric.
  2. Download the corresponding report to see the specific orders causing the problem.
  3. Analyze the root cause. Was it bad packaging causing A-to-z claims? A software glitch causing late shipments? Running out of stock?
  4. Immediately fix the problem for affected customers (e.g., issue refunds).
  5. Implement a new process to prevent it from happening again (e.g., switch packaging suppliers, hire a warehouse manager, adopt new inventory software).

• Appeal Example:

Subject: Appeal for Seller Account Reinstatement – [Your Seller Name]

Dear Amazon Seller Performance Team,

We are writing to appeal the suspension of our seller account. We understand our account was suspended because our Order Defect Rate (ODR) exceeded the 1% target.

Our investigation found that our high ODR was caused by an increase in A-to-z claims for items damaged in transit. Our previous packaging materials were not sufficient to protect fragile products during shipping. Below are the actions we have taken to resolve the issue:

1. We have issued full refunds to all customers who filed an A-to-z claim for a damaged item.
2. We have discarded all old packaging supplies and sourced new, heavy-duty bubble wrap and reinforced boxes from a vetted supplier.
3. We have physically inspected our remaining inventory to ensure it is in perfect condition.
4. All warehouse staff have been retrained on a new 3-step packaging protocol for fragile items.
5. We will conduct weekly quality checks on 10% of packed orders to ensure the new protocol is followed correctly.
6. We have switched to a new shipping carrier with a better track record for handling delicate packages.

We are confident these measures will resolve the issues that led to our high ODR. Thank you for considering our appeal.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

2. Inauthentic or Counterfeit Products

Another reason sellers get their Amazon account suspended is due to inauthentic or counterfeit complaints. An inauthentic claim usually means a customer or Amazon questions whether the product is genuine, even if it is. A counterfeit claim is more serious, involving confirmed fake or trademark-infringing goods.

• The Issue: You received a complaint about selling products that are not genuine.
• Business Impact: Immediate removal of the affected listing(s), Escalation to full account suspension if unresolved, Potential loss or destruction of FBA inventory
• Solution Steps:

1. Provide invoices from the past 365 days showing supplier and product details.
2. If available, include a Letter of Authorization from the brand owner.
3. Review your supply chain to confirm products can be traced back to the manufacturer.
4. Remove stock from suppliers you cannot verify.
5. Avoid using retail receipts, as Amazon rarely accepts them.

• Appeal Example:

Subject: Appeal for Reinstatement – Inauthentic Product Complaint for ASIN [ASIN]

Dear Amazon Seller Performance Team,

We are writing to appeal the suspension of our selling privileges due to an inauthentic product complaint for ASIN [ASIN].

Our investigation revealed a sourcing error. We purchased a small batch of inventory from a new, unvetted distributor and could not trace their supply chain back to the manufacturer. This was a clear mistake and a violation of our sourcing policies. Below are the actions we have taken to resolve the issue:

1. We have removed the listing for ASIN [ASIN] and disposed of all remaining inventory from the unverified distributor.
2. Full refunds have been issued to all customers who purchased from the affected batch.
3. We have attached valid invoices from our primary, brand-authorized distributor for this same product to prove we have a legitimate supply chain.
4. We have terminated our relationship with the unverified distributor. We will now only purchase inventory directly from brand-authorized sources.
5. Our sourcing team has been retrained on a new supplier verification process that requires a Letter of Authorization before any purchase order is placed.
6. We will conduct monthly audits of our supply chain documentation to ensure 100% compliance.

We have attached our invoices and our authorized supplier’s contact information for your review.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

3. Intellectual Property (IP) Violations

This happens when you use a brand’s trademark, copyrighted images, or patented designs without permission. Intellectual property (IP) complaints are one of the leading causes of having your Amazon account suspended.

• The Issue: A rights owner filed a complaint against you for infringing on their IP.
• Business Impact: Listing removal, account suspension, and potential legal action from the rights owner.
• Solution Steps:

1. If the complaint is valid, contact the rights owner directly, apologize, and request that they submit a retraction to Amazon.
2. If the complaint is false, gather proof such as invoices, brand authorization letters, or licensing agreements to show you have the right to sell the product.
3. Audit your catalog for other risks, such as using brand names in hidden keywords, unlicensed logos, or images you do not own.
4. Consider enrolling your own brand in Amazon Brand Registry to better protect your listings

• Appeal Example:

Subject: Appeal for Reinstatement – IP Complaint Retraction for ASIN [ASIN]

Dear Amazon Seller Performance Team,

We are appealing the suspension of our account due to an intellectual property complaint from [Rights Owner Name] regarding ASIN [ASIN].

We mistakenly used a copyrighted image in our product listing that we did not have the rights to. This was an oversight by our listing creation team.

1. We have contacted the rights owner, apologized for the error, and they have agreed to retract their complaint. A copy of their retraction email is attached.
2. The listing for ASIN [ASIN] has been deleted to ensure the infringing content is completely removed from Amazon.
3. We have conducted a full audit of all our listings and removed any other images or text that were not created by us.
4. Our marketing team has undergone training on copyright law and Amazon’s IP policies.
5. We have implemented a new policy requiring all listing assets to be created in-house or sourced from licensed stock image providers.
6. A manager will now approve all new listings before they go live to verify compliance.

We are committed to respecting the intellectual property of others and have taken these steps to ensure this will not happen again.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

4. Review Manipulation Abuse

Amazon is extremely strict about reviews. Any attempt to manipulate customer feedback can result in your Amazon account suspended. This includes offering refunds in exchange for positive reviews, asking buyers to remove negative feedback, or directing customers to leave only five-star ratings. Sometimes Amazon flags this behavior automatically through its detection systems.

• The Issue: Offering incentives for reviews, asking friends or family for reviews, or using “review clubs.”
• Business Impact: Account suspension, removal of all product reviews, and permanent loss of selling privileges.
• Solution Steps:
  1. Immediately stop any and all programs that incentivize reviews.
  2. Review and remove any language from your product inserts, packaging, and email follow-ups that violates policy.
  3. If you used a third-party service, terminate your contract and inform Amazon you have done so.

• Appeal Example:

Subject: Appeal for Account Reinstatement – Review Policy Violation

Dear Amazon Seller Performance Team,

We are appealing the suspension of our account due to a review manipulation policy violation. Our internal review found that a team member had reached out to buyers with incentives in exchange for positive reviews, which was against Amazon’s policy.

We have stopped all outreach of this kind immediately and issued clear instructions to our team. Training on Amazon’s Communication Guidelines has been completed, and only approved post-purchase messages will be used moving forward. A compliance manager will now oversee all customer communication.

We take full responsibility and are committed to maintaining review integrity on Amazon.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

5. Related or Linked Accounts

Amazon’s policy is strict: one seller account per household or business unless you have explicit permission. Their system can link accounts through shared Wi-Fi, bank accounts, addresses, or even third-party software. Experts at The Appeal Guru note that these hidden links often surprise honest sellers.

• The Issue: Your account has been linked to another Amazon seller account that is either suspended or was opened without permission.
• Business Impact: Your account is suspended until you can prove the link was a mistake or resolve the issues with the other account.
• Solution Steps:
  1. Investigate how the link could have happened. Did a family member open an account? Did you use a shared Wi-Fi network? Did you hire a VA who worked on another account?
  2. If the other account is yours, you must successfully appeal for its reinstatement first.
  3. If the link was accidental, you must prove you are separate entities and have taken steps to sever the connection (e.g., getting a dedicated internet line, stopping work with a third-party service).

• Appeal Example:

Subject: Appeal for Account Reinstatement – Related Account [Your Seller Name]

Dear Amazon Seller Performance Team,

We are writing to appeal the suspension of our account, which was suspended for being related to another account.

Our investigation found an unintentional link to another seller account. This happened when a former employee accessed our Seller Central account from their personal laptop, which they had previously used for their own separate selling account. We were unaware of this connection.

1. We have identified the point of connection and severed all ties with the individual involved.
2. We have changed our Seller Central password and activated Two-Factor Authentication.
3. We have implemented a new policy forbidding employees from accessing our Seller Central account on personal devices.
4. All account access is now restricted to a single, dedicated office computer with a static IP address.
5. We will perform quarterly audits of all user permissions to ensure only current staff have access.
6. Every team member has been retrained on Amazon’s multiple account policy.

We have only ever operated this one seller account, and this link was accidental. We have taken immediate action to ensure this will never happen again.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

6. Selling Restricted or Prohibited Products

Selling items that Amazon has banned, placed restrictions on, or that are illegal in some marketplaces is one of the fastest ways to get your Amazon account suspended. This issue arises when you list something that needs prior approval (pre-gating), or when local laws/regulations or Amazon’s own policies explicitly prohibit or restrict the product.

• The Issue: You listed items in a restricted category without approval (e.g., certain supplements, pesticides, medical devices).
• Business Impact: Immediate account deactivation and potential for inventory destruction at your expense.
• Solution Steps:
  1. Immediately close and delete all listings for restricted products.
  2. Review Amazon’s “Restricted Products” policy page thoroughly.
  3. Create a new process for vetting products before sourcing them to check if they are on the restricted list.

• Appeal Example:

Subject: Appeal for Reinstatement – Restricted Products Policy Violation

Dear Amazon Seller Performance Team,

We are appealing our account suspension for violating Amazon’s Restricted Products policy.

We listed a dietary supplement containing an ingredient that is not permitted on Amazon. Our product research process failed to check the product against Amazon’s specific list of prohibited ingredients.

We have immediately and permanently deleted the listing for the violating ASIN. We have also audited our entire catalog and removed any other products that could be considered non-compliant.

We have implemented a new 3-step product vetting process. Before any new product is sourced, our compliance manager will now check it against Amazon’s Restricted Products policy, ingredient lists, and all applicable federal guidelines. No product will be listed without this formal approval.

Please reinstate my account. I respect Amazon’s policies and regret the mistake.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

7. Other Common Suspension Reasons

• Listing Violations: Creating duplicate listings or misusing variations (e.g., adding an unrelated product to a popular listing to hijack its reviews). Solution: Audit your catalog, delete all duplicates and incorrect variations, and retrain your team on Amazon’s listing policies. Your appeal must detail this cleanup and the new quality control process.
• Code of Conduct Violations: This is a catch-all for things like improper dropshipping (shipping from another retailer like Walmart) or redirecting customers away from Amazon. Solution: You must fundamentally change your business model to be compliant. If you were dropshipping, your appeal needs to show you now own your inventory and ship it yourself (or use FBA).
• Identity Verification Issues: Amazon couldn’t verify the documents you submitted (passport, bank statement, utility bill). Solution: Ensure your documents are not expired, are high-resolution color scans, and match the information in Seller Central exactly. Re-submit clear, valid documents. This is similar to the operational differences outlined in our article on Amazon Vendor Central vs Seller Central.
• Account Hacking: Someone gained unauthorized access to your account and made changes. Solution: Immediately contact Amazon to report the breach. Regain control of your account, change your password, and enable two-factor authentication. Your appeal should explain what happened and the new security measures you’ve put in place. Breaking these rules is similar to understanding the legal definition of a breach of contract, as you’ve violated the terms you agreed to.

Pro Tips for a Successful Appeal

• Be Factual, Not Emotional: Amazon wants to see that you understand the business problem, not that you’re sorry or frustrated. Keep your personal feelings out of it.
• Use Bullet Points: Make your appeal easy to scan. A wall of text is much harder for an investigator to read and approve.
• Don’t Blame Amazon or Buyers: Take full ownership. Blaming anyone else is the fastest way to get your appeal denied.
• Never Submit Fake Documents: This will turn a temporary suspension into a permanent ban. It’s not worth the risk.

When to Seek Professional Help

If your appeal gets denied or your case is particularly complex (like a counterfeit claim with a messy paper trail), it might be time to call in an expert. Suspension appeal services or lawyers who specialize in Amazon cases can help you identify the core issue and draft a stronger POA. For more advice on this, check out a comprehensive Amazon Seller Account Suspension Appeal Guide from legal pros.

An account suspension feels like the end of the world, but it doesn’t have to be. Most suspensions are solvable if you approach the problem with a clear head and a professional plan.

Your next steps:

1. Carefully read your suspension notice to identify the exact violation.
2. Conduct a deep investigation to find the true root cause.
3. Draft a concise, factual Plan of Action using the three-part structure: root cause, actions taken, and preventative steps.
4. Submit your appeal and be patient.

By demonstrating that you understand the problem and have implemented permanent solutions, you can get your account reinstated and focus on growing your business. Once reinstated, you can learn how to improve Amazon sales the right way with our detailed guide.