Amazon Seller News: Products Falsely Identified As Restricted For Sale
Recently, the Amazon Sellers Lawyer team was contacted by a client who had products falsely suspended for allegedly being on Amazon’s restricted list. This led the seller to lose time and money, when their products were completely legal for sale. In this blog, we walk you through how we resolve the issue for our client, and important information that sellers must know about restricted product violation cases.
Restricted Products on Amazon
Certain products on Amazon are classified as restricted, meaning that they need approval to be sold on the platform. This can range from medical devices, products used by children, or certain brands that are highly protected by Amazon’s automated systems. In our seller’s case, they were alleged to be selling a product that contained a restricted medical substance that required extensive testing proof to be sold.
Once your product has been targeted as potentially restricted, Amazon will suspend its listing until you resolve the issue. If products have already been sold, a freeze may be placed on your account as Amazon will use your remaining funds to issue refunds to customers. This freeze and the potential of refunds are key reasons as to why it is imperative that sellers deal with restricted products issues as soon as possible.
Restricted Amazon Product Resolution
In order to resolve restricted product violations, it is necessary to identify whether or not you are being falsely accused of having restricted products, or if there is merit to Amazon’s accusations. If there is merit, resolving your issue will require completing any compliance requirements that Amazon has for restoring your products. Depending on why your product was restricted, this could involve safety testing, proof that you are able to sell the product, and other compliance methods.
If you are being falsely accused of having a restricted product, it is important to begin the process of appealing your product suspension with clear evidence. This means compiling information on the product itself, its manufacturing history, and any statements from manufacturers that show that it does not belong in the restricted categories.
These pieces of evidence will support your Amazon Plan of Action appeal, a document submitted for attempting to reinstate your products or account. These documents also include a root cause analysis of the suspension, what you have done to address the suspension, and how you plan on avoiding future enforcement actions on your seller account. If you are wrongly suspended, it is important to calmly assert that Amazon’s actions against you were incorrect and that your document will include supporting evidence.
Why Legal Letters Make the Difference
Even with supporting evidence, however, Amazon is often hesitant to reinstate products that could potentially be harmful to customers if mishandled. This is where legal teams make the difference. A tool that law firms have, that independent sellers and other services don’t, is the ability to draft a legal letter to Amazon in order to argue your case for reinstatement. These letters move the case from Amazon’s enforcement department, to their legal department, putting extra pressure on to resolve the case.
For our client, this legal letter made the difference, successfully reinstating their products and lifting the freeze on their account’s funds. Keeping in mind every avenue to reinstatement is key for all sellers facing suspensions like this.
Contact Amazon Sellers Lawyer Today!
If you are facing suspension for alleged restricted product violations, regardless of if the accusations have merit, the Amazon Sellers Lawyer team is here to help. We have been working with sellers for over a decade on all manner of issues that come up from being in the e-commerce space. Give us a call today at 212-256-1109 or fill out our online form here.
About the Author
CJ Rosenbaum, Esq.
CJ Rosenbaum is the founding partner of Amazon Sellers Lawyer. He’s been practicing law since 1995, and since 2016 his firm has focused exclusively on helping Amazon sellers deal with issues like suspensions, intellectual property disputes, and withheld funds.
CJ has written six books on Amazon seller legal issues including the Amazon Sellers’ Guide to Copyright Law. He has spoken at major industry events like the Prosper Show, Global Sources Summit, Retail Global. CJ also works with the Amazon Sellers Lawyer team to provide free content for Amazon sellers. This is available through their online blog and YouTube channel, frequently covering major Amazon updates and important topics relevant to the seller space.
Through BrandProtectionAmazon.com, the firm also supports brands in protecting their products. This gives the team the unique opportunity to learn from case wins on both sides of the fence, strengthening protection for both the sellers and brands that Rosenbaum & Segall P.C. represents.
Amazon repeatedly rejecting your Plan of Action? Amazon Sellers Lawyer handles suspension appeals and account reinstatement cases – including arbitration against Amazon when they’re withholding seller money. Contact us to discuss your situation and figure out the best path forward.