Comprehensive Guide to Amazon Listing Suspension and How to Appeal
As an Amazon seller, one of the most dreaded things that can happen to you is having your Amazon listing suspended or worse, having your Amazon seller account deactivated. This can be devastating, especially if Amazon is your primary source of income.
However, with the right knowledge and guidance, you can navigate the process of Amazon listing suspension and appeal and get your account reinstated.
In this blog post, we’ll cover the important things you need to know about Amazon listing suspension and how to appeal, based on a video by CJ Rosenbaum, a top Amazon seller lawyer and founder of AmazonSellersLawyer.com.
What is Amazon Listing Suspension?
Amazon listing suspension is when Amazon removes a product listing from its platform. This can happen due to several reasons, including:
Violating Amazon’s terms of service, such as selling counterfeit products, manipulating customer reviews, or engaging in prohibited activities like incentivized reviews.
Listing an item that is prohibited or restricted, such as a hazardous or illegal product.
Poor performance metrics, such as low customer feedback, high order defect rate, or late shipment rate.
If your Amazon listing is suspended, you will receive a notification from Amazon, along with the reason for the suspension. You will not be able to sell the suspended product until you resolve the issue and get it reinstated.
What is Amazon Account Deactivation?
Amazon account deactivation is when Amazon suspends your entire seller account, not just a single listing. This can happen due to severe violations of Amazon’s terms of service, such as selling illegal or counterfeit products, repeatedly violating policies, or engaging in fraudulent activities.
If your Amazon seller account is deactivated, you will not be able to sell anything on Amazon and will lose access to your funds. You will also receive a notification from Amazon, explaining the reason for the deactivation.
What is a Plan of Action (POA)?
A Plan of Action (POA) is a document that outlines the steps you will take to address the issue that caused your Amazon listing suspension or account deactivation. A POA is an essential tool in the appeal process and is required by Amazon to consider your appeal.
A well-crafted POA should be specific, honest, and address the root cause of the issue. It should also include concrete steps and timelines to prevent the issue from happening again.
How to Appeal Amazon Listing Suspension or Account Deactivation?
If your Amazon listing is suspended or your seller account is deactivated, you can appeal the decision by submitting a POA. The appeal process can be complicated, and it’s crucial to follow Amazon’s guidelines and policies.
Here are the steps you should take to appeal an Amazon listing suspension or account deactivation:
- Understand the reason for the suspension: You need to read the notification from Amazon carefully and understand why your listing or account was suspended. This will help you craft a more effective POA.
- Analyze your performance metrics: Check your account health dashboard to identify any performance issues that may have contributed to the suspension. Addressing these issues can help prevent future suspensions.
- Craft a POA: Use the information you gathered to create a detailed and specific POA that addresses the root cause of the suspension or deactivation. Make sure to follow Amazon’s guidelines and include concrete steps and timelines.
- Submit your appeal: Submit your POA through Amazon’s appeal form, and wait for a response. It’s crucial to be patient and avoid resubmitting the appeal repeatedly, as this can harm your chances of reinstatement.
- Follow up: If you don’t hear back from Amazon within a few days, you can follow up with a polite message. However, avoid being aggressive or confrontational, as this can harm your appeal.