For many sellers, Amazon is not just a sales channel—it’s the backbone of their entire business. That’s why receiving an account suspension can feel like a devastating and confusing blow. Amazon’s policies are strict and continuously evolving, and even unintentional missteps can lead to your account being deactivated. Understanding what triggers an Amazon account suspension is the first step in protecting your seller account and maintaining uninterrupted access to the marketplace.
- Performance Metric Violations
Amazon requires sellers to meet strict performance standards. Failing to comply with these can quickly put your account at risk. The three key metrics Amazon monitors are:
- Order Defect Rate (ODR): This includes negative feedback, A-to-Z claims, and chargebacks. An ODR above 1% is considered high-risk.
- Late Shipment Rate: If more than 4% of your orders ship late, you may face warnings or suspension.
- Valid Tracking Rate & On-Time Delivery Rate: Failing to provide valid tracking or consistently missing delivery timelines can trigger account review or suspension.
- Policy Violations
Amazon’s selling policies are extensive. Violations can include:
- Listing Prohibited or Restricted Items: Selling items that are banned, restricted, or require approval without the necessary documentation.
- Inaccurate Product Listings: Misleading titles, photos, or descriptions can result in suspension.
- Review Manipulation: Offering incentives for positive reviews or using fake accounts to boost product ratings can lead to immediate account deactivation.
- Product Quality Complaints
Customer complaints about product authenticity or condition—like “used sold as new,” “inauthentic,” or “defective”—are red flags for Amazon. If multiple customers complain about the quality of your products, Amazon may suspend your account pending further review.
- Inauthentic or Forged Documentation
Amazon frequently requests documentation to verify invoices, supply chains, or brand authorization. Submitting doctored, outdated, or unverifiable documents can result in a suspension and in some cases, permanent account deactivation.
- Account Verification Issues
New sellers may face suspension if they fail Amazon’s rigorous identity and tax verification process. This includes mismatches in submitted documents, unverifiable addresses, or discrepancies in tax ID information.
- Linked Accounts
Operating multiple seller accounts without Amazon’s prior approval can result in suspension. Amazon tracks seller behaviour and account activity closely. If your suspended account is linked to another, both may be deactivated.
- Intellectual Property Complaints
Amazon takes IP complaints seriously. If a brand files a copyright, trademark, or patent complaint against your listings, Amazon may suspend your selling privileges until the issue is resolved or retracted.
Amazon account suspensions are often sudden, but rarely random. They’re typically triggered by specific violations of Amazon’s terms, performance expectations, or customer trust standards. Sellers who proactively monitor their account health, stay up to date on policies, and maintain high standards of product quality and customer service significantly reduce their risk of suspension.
Understanding these triggers is critical. Prevention is always better than cure—especially when your business depends on staying live in one of the most competitive marketplaces in the world. Contact us for amazon account re-instatement services
