Multiple Amazon Accounts and Amazon Multiple Seller Accounts Policy

Amazon Sellers Lawyer helps sellers respond to Amazon related account suspension notices, prepare a comprehensive Amazon Suspension Appeal, and fight for reinstatement of Amazon account suspension.
cj and rob
An Amazon multiple account suspension can quickly stop sales, freeze cash flow, and put your other connected seller accounts and businesses at risk. Many sellers are shocked when they receive a notification indicating that Amazon believes they have multiple Amazon accounts in violation of the Amazon multiple seller accounts policy because they do not recognize the related account, no longer control it, or believed they had a legitimate reason to operate multiple Amazon seller accounts.
If you received a related account suspension Amazon notice, do not rush and submit a template plan of action or generic appeal. Relate account suspensions are one of the most difficult issues to address with Amazon and require strong evidence of account history, business documentation, and a clear explanation as to how and why Amazon can trust the seller account going forward.

Can You Have Multiple Amazon Accounts?

Many sellers ask can I have multiple Amazon accounts or how is Amazon linking accounts? The answer is Yes – Sellers can have multiple Amazon accounts in certain situations, but only when there is a legitimate business need and all accounts remain in good standing.
Amazon has altered the Amazon multiple seller accounts policy over the years. Sellers are now permitted to operate more than one account, but only when there is a valid business reason. Amazon still monitors accounts for overlapping ownership, shared logins, shared devices, shared banking information, related addresses, common inventory, or other signals that accounts may be connected.
Sellers often face issues when they research Amazon seller multiple accounts policy after their account is already deactivated. The question then becomes whether the seller can prove the accounts are compliant with the Amazon multiple seller accounts policy, and that the accounts are legitimate, separate and not being used to avoid enforcement of Amazon policy violations.
Amazon lawyer reviewing multiple seller accounts related account suspension appeal

What Causes an Amazon Related Account Suspension?

Amazon may issue an Amazon suspension or serious account warning when its system flags two or more accounts as related. The connection can be obvious, but sometimes Amazon is wrong and the connection is accidental, outdated or just blatantly incorrect. Common ways Amazon identifies multiple accounts are:
  • shared owners, officers, employees, or family members;
  • shared addresses, warehouses, IP addresses, computers, or Wi-Fi networks;
  • shared bank accounts, credit cards, tax information, or utility bills;
  • use of the same virtual assistant, agency, prep center, or service provider;
  • logging into multiple Seller Central accounts from the same device;
  • buying or managing an account created by someone else;
  • opening a new account after a prior suspension of account;
  • overlapping inventory, brands, ASINs, or supplier relationships;
  • failure to disclose or document the legitimate business reason for separate accounts.
Again, Amazon does make mistakes and it can be incredibly frustrating. Amazon often connects sellers who share a service provider, employee or household member, or past business relationship. Regardless, the appeal cannot be emotional and must clearly explain the legitimacy of the accounts with strong evidence and a carefully drafted plan of action.
A typical Amazon seller suspension often focuses on performance metrics, listing issues, product complaints, IP complaints, or general policy violations. An Amazon related account suspension case is different because Amazon is more commonly seeking information as to whether the account is connected to another account that has already been suspended or subject to other violations.
A basic Amazon suspension appeal template is not enough to overcome an Amazon related account suspension – Amazon usually requires evidence demonstrating:
  • who owns and controls each account;
  • whether the accounts are separate legal entities;
  • why the second account was opened;
  • whether both accounts are in good standing;
  • whether the accounts share staff, suppliers, products, or operations;
  • whether the suspended account was created to avoid enforcement;
  • whether the seller has corrected any policy violation connected to the related account
These appeals are very fact specific and a vague Amazon Suspension Appeal letter that is emotional or simply says “I am not related to the other account” will immediately be rejected. If Amazon’s system detects a connection, the appeal must explain, disprove and show why the connection is permissible under the Amazon related account policy.
Seller examining Vorys IP complaint with legal documents and Seller Central open

When does Amazon Allow Multiple Amazon Accounts?

There are legitimate circumstances in which Amazon will allow multiple Amazon seller accounts. Some examples include:
  • separate brands with different ownership;
  • separate businesses with different tax IDs;
  • different product lines requiring separate operations;
  • acquisition of an existing business;
  • a parent company with multiple subsidiaries;
  • agency-managed accounts for different clients;
  • international expansion or marketplace-specific business structures.
That said, running a “back up” or secondary account is very risky. Opening another account to circumvent Amazon’s rules or to avoid an Amazon account suspension can make the Amazon suspension appeal much harder to win.
If you need to know how to open multiple Amazon seller accounts or how to have multiple Amazon seller accounts without issue, the safest approach is to ensure to document all business activity before opening the second account, and keep the accounts, records, inventory, etc., operational separate.
amazon-intellectual-property-complaint-defense
Amazon Seller Resolving an IP Complaint
Once Amazon issues an Amazon multiple account suspension, the seller should immediately try to identify what Amazon believes the connection is. This is not guess work and sellers should never deny the accusation blindly. Using an Amazon appeal letter sample is not advised and will usually make matters worse.
Before filing an amazon account suspension appeal, sellers must review:
  • the exact wording of Amazon’s suspension notice;
  • account ownership and corporate documents;
  • banking, tax, credit card, and address information;
  • login history, user permissions, and employee access;
  • service providers, agencies, prep centers, and virtual assistants;
  • family or household connections;
  • prior accounts, closed accounts, abandoned accounts, or acquired accounts;
  • whether the related account has an unresolved policy violation.
The strongest Amazon suspension plan of action should address the root cause, corrective action, and preventive measures the seller has put in place to satisfy Amazon’s concerns. If the related account is under your control, the appeal should explain why it was created and how it complies with the Amazon Multiple Account policy.

Do NOT Open a New Amazon Seller Account after an Amazon Related Account Suspension:

One of the most catastrophic mistakes sellers make after an Amazon account suspension is opening a new account. If Amazon believes the new account was created to avoid enforcement, the new account can also be suspended. That can turn one problem into multiple related-account problems. It can also quickly turn into a trust issue and escalate into an Amazon Section 3 suspension.
If you are already suspended, do not open a new account, use other seller’s accounts, buy an account or ask your friends and family to open a new account for you. It is much easier to successfully obtain reinstatement with a well drafted Amazon Suspension Appeal.
A rushed or forced Amazon Suspension Appeal can make it harder to win the case. If Amazon has already denied your appeal, it may be time to seek professional assistance to ensure the next submission is stronger and supported by the evidence we know Amazon wants to review.
Seller examining Vorys IP complaint with legal documents and Seller Central open

Get Help with an Amazon Related Account Suspension Today:

If Amazon issued an Amazon Suspension against your seller account for violating the Amazon multiple seller account policy or an Amazon related account violation, Amazon Sellers Lawyer can help.
Our team can review your suspension notice, identify the likely connection, organize supporting documents, and prepare a targeted appeal designed to get your account reinstated.

Why Choose Amazon Sellers Lawyer?

Amazon Seller Attorney CJ-Rosenbaum
Scroll to Top