Amazon is a massive e-commerce platform connecting millions of sellers and buyers worldwide. To achieve long-term success on this platform, you must fully comply with Amazon’s rules and policies. However, sellers sometimes violate these rules—either unknowingly or unintentionally. As a result, their accounts get suspended, which can lead to significant business losses. This is where the concept of Amazon Suspension comes into play.

In this article, we’ll cover what an Amazon suspension is, when it occurs, and, especially for beginners, how to resolve it step by step.

WHAT IS AMAZON SUSPEND (ACCOUNT SUSPENSION)?

Amazon Suspension means your seller account has been temporarily or permanently disabled. In this state, you cannot list products, make sales, or communicate with customers. Access to Seller Central is restricted, which effectively halts your operations.

You are notified of a suspension via an email from Amazon. That email explains the reason for the suspension and the required next steps. At that point, your task as a seller is to analyze the situation and submit an appeal plan to Amazon.

WHY MIGHT YOUR AMAZON ACCOUNT BE SUSPENDED?

Amazon has a wide range of reasons for suspending seller accounts. The most common ones are:

1. Performance Issues

Amazon continuously monitors seller performance and evaluates it against specific thresholds. Suspension risk arises if critical metrics fall below acceptable levels:

• Order Defect Rate (ODR): Should not exceed 1%.
• Late Shipment Rate: Should stay below 4%.
• Cancellation Rate: Should not be above 2%.

If any of these thresholds are breached, Amazon may suspend the account to protect the customer experience.

2. Policy Violations

Activities that violate Amazon’s selling policies can trigger suspension, such as:

• Selling prohibited products
• Providing misleading information in product listings
• Misplacing products in incorrect categories
• Misusing customer data

3. Intellectual Property Violations

Selling another brand’s products without permission, or using protected logos/designs, constitutes IP infringement. Such complaints can lead to swift suspension.

4. Counterfeit Product Sales

Amazon has zero tolerance for non-genuine products. You may be required to prove your supply chain and product authenticity; failure to do so can result in suspension.

5. Multiple Account Ownership

Amazon’s policy generally prohibits multiple linked seller accounts. If the system determines that accounts are related, all linked accounts may be suspended simultaneously.

6. Review Manipulation

Attempting to generate fake reviews, coercing customers to leave certain feedback, or incentivizing reviews in prohibited ways violates Amazon rules and can cause suspension.

7. Security & Suspicious Activity

Actions such as false address information, fake identity documents, or abnormal login patterns may be flagged as suspicious, potentially triggering account suspension.

OTHER COMMON SUSPENSION REASONS

Amazon prioritizes customer satisfaction and platform integrity. Additional suspension triggers include:

• Fair Pricing Policy Violation  

Pricing products excessively high or unusually low compared to market norms can violate Amazon’s fair pricing standards. Avoid sudden price swings and consider using dynamic pricing tools to stay aligned with market trends.

• ASIN Suspension 
  
  A specific product (ASIN) may be suspended if it violates Amazon policies—due to incorrect categorization, incomplete or misleading information, product safety complaints, or customer issues. Regularly review listings and keep descriptions accurate.
  
  

• Trademark and Patent Infringement  
  
  Unauthorized use of another brand’s trademark or patent can lead to suspension. Source from reliable, authorized suppliers and ensure you have necessary licenses or permission documentation.
  
  

• Intellectual Property Violation  
  
  Listing items that infringe on copyrights, trademarks, or patents—whether in descriptions, images, or design—can cause suspension. Use original content and verify that products do not violate others’ IP rights.
  
  

• Counterfeit Product
  
  Complaints from customers or brand owners claiming the product is counterfeit can trigger enforcement. Avoid such products, keep authenticity proof, and buy from trusted suppliers.
  
  

• Inauthentic Item  
  
  Doubts about the authenticity or quality of products—often arising when invoices can’t be verified—lead to this issue. Maintain proper documentation and source from vetted suppliers.
  
  

• Unsafe Products 
  
  Products that pose potential health or safety risks (common in categories like toys, electronics, supplements) can result in complaints and suspension. Ensure safety certifications and clear usage instructions are provided.
  
  

• Expired Products 
  
  Selling products past their expiration date (especially in food, cosmetics, or pharmaceuticals) leads to removal and potential suspension. Manage inventory to remove items nearing expiry.
  
  

• Product Safety Complaints
  
  If customers report safety issues, conduct reviews, perform safety checks, and update descriptions with proper warnings.
  
  

• Product Condition Misrepresentation) 
  
  Shipping an item that doesn’t match its listed condition (e.g., advertising as “new” when it’s used) violates policies. Accurately represent product condition.
  
  

• Selling Used Items as New 
  
  Mislabeling opened or damaged products as new leads to suspension. Categorize items correctly.
  
  

• Dropshipping Policy Violation  
  
  Noncompliant dropshipping—such as improper invoicing or missing seller branding—can result in suspension. Ensure your business is correctly positioned between customer and supplier.
  
  

• Restricted Products  
  
  Listing banned or restricted items (e.g., certain medications, hazardous materials) without authorization causes immediate risk. Regularly check restricted product lists.
  
  

• Variation Misuse  
  
  Incorrectly grouping unrelated products under one variation or abusing variation structure triggers enforcement. Use variations properly (e.g., color, size).
  
  

• Late Shipment Rate) 
  
  Exceeding 4% in late shipments degrades customer experience and may cause suspension. Improve logistics and inventory management.
  
  

• Order Defect Rate Violation
  
  Rising above 1% in ODR due to A-Z claims, negative feedback, or other issues signals poor performance. Focus on customer satisfaction and resolve issues proactively.
  
  

• A-to-Z Guarantee Claims  
  
  Excessive claims undermine trust. Deliver complete orders on time and be cooperative in returns.
  
  

• Related/Linked Accounts Suspension  
  
  Multiple accounts associated with the same individual or infrastructure (IP, device, payment) can lead to all being suspended. Avoid account overlap.
  
  

• Linked Accounts Suspension 
  
  Similar to Related Accounts Suspension, this occurs when Amazon determines that accounts are connected. What to do: Avoid opening multiple seller accounts. Refrain from logging into different accounts from the same device or network.
  
  

• Policy Violation Suspension 
  
  Any breach of Amazon’s broad policy set can trigger this. Review policies regularly and seek clarification when unsure.
  
  

• Review Manipulation Suspension 
  
  Attempts to manipulate customer reviews—through incentives or pressure—are prohibited. Encourage organic feedback only.
  
  

• High Cancellation Rate Suspension 
  
  Frequent cancellations damage reliability. Monitor stock and minimize cancellations.
  
  

• Poor Seller Performance)
  
  Multiple weak performance metrics collectively raise suspension risk. Continuously optimize operations.
  
  

• Confirming Orders Before Shipment 
  
  Confirming orders before actual shipment misleads customers. Only confirm after shipment.
  
  

• Misleading Product Information 
  
  Providing exaggerated or false product details leads to complaints. Be transparent and accurate.
  
  

• Account Verification Suspension 
  
  Failure to submit required identity or account verification documents correctly can lead to suspension. Provide accurate information and complete documentation.
  
  

• Inadequate Invoice Suspension 
  
  Using unclear, unverifiable, or altered invoices risks action. Use legitimate, traceable invoices.
  
  

• Tax Identity Information Suspension  
  
  Incorrect or missing tax identity info can cause a hold. Keep your tax details accurate and updated.
  
  

• Order Confirmation Defect 
  
  Delaying order confirmations signals operational issues. Confirm orders promptly.
  
  

• Fake Invoice Suspension 
  
  Presenting forged or manipulated invoices leads to enforcement. Always submit genuine, supplier-issued documents.
  
  

AMAZON SUSPEND NASIL ÇÖZÜLÜR?  İTİRAZ (APPEAL) SÜRECİ

When facing a suspension, here’s what you need to do:

1. Identify the Reason for Suspension

Carefully read the email from Amazon. The suspension reason, required actions, and requested documentation are clearly stated there.

2. Prepare an Appeal Plan

Your appeal to Amazon should include:

• Problem Description: Show that you understand the cause and take responsibility.
• Corrective Actions Taken: Explain what you’ve done to fix the issue that led to the suspension.
• Preventive Measures: Detail how you’ve improved processes to prevent recurrence.

The plan must be concise, clear, and solution-focused.

3. Submit Supporting Documentation

Depending on the issue, Amazon may request supplier invoices, proof of product authenticity, order records, etc. Upload all required documents completely and in the correct format.

4. Follow Up Regularly

Review your email frequently while the appeal is under review. If Amazon requests additional information, respond promptly.

POST-SUSPENSION BEST PRACTICES

• Keep your appeal plan short, precise, and actionable.
• Submit complete documentation in the requested format.
• Stay patient and maintain a solution-oriented tone in all communications with Amazon.

HOW TO SECURE YOUR ACCOUNT AFTER A SUSPENSION

After successfully navigating the suspension, take these steps to reduce the risk of recurrence:

• Monitor your seller performance metrics consistently.
• Keep product listings accurate and up to date.
• Work with reliable, documented suppliers.
• Prioritize customer satisfaction.
• Secure your account credentials and enable two-factor authentication.

TAKING THE RIGHT STEPS AGAINST AMAZON SUSPENSION IS CRUCIAL

Suspensions can happen to any seller. However, by taking the correct actions during both the suspension and appeal stages, you can restore your account. Remember: to demonstrate that you are a trustworthy Amazon partner, your appeal must be strong, your documentation complete, and your communication professional.

YOUR AMAZON SELLING OPERATIONS ARE SECURE WITH ACADEMY hi5

Academy hi5 supports you in overcoming challenges in managing your Amazon seller account and helps you grow safely.

• Support in case of Violation and SuspensionWhen your account receives a violation or is suspended, the Academy hi5 Suspension Resolution Team guides you at every step and works toward resolution.
• Fast ResolutionUpon suspension, the team acts quickly to reactivate your store.
• Refund Guarantee: If the suspension cannot be resolved, your payment is refunded. This guaranteed service lets you pursue solutions without taking unnecessary risk.

Contact Academy hi5 experts now and enjoy the peace of mind of running your business uninterrupted.

Negative Feedback on Amazon: How to Protect Your Seller Performance

Customer feedback on Amazon directly affects your store health and sales performance. Positive reviews push you to the top, while negative feedback can erode your sales. So what is negative feedback, why does it matter, and how can you minimize its impact? Here is the comprehensive guide we’ve prepared for Amazon sellers at Academy hi5!