Why Does Amazon Suspend Accounts? The 10 Most Common Reasons and How to Prevent Them

Many sellers on Amazon do not think about how and why a suspension decision is made until their account is suspended. Yet Amazon's decisions are not random: they are based on rules designed to protect customer trust, product safety and the integrity of the platform, and they often come from automated systems and review teams working together. In this article we summarize the most common reasons and what to watch out for in each. For the general picture, you can also read What is an Amazon suspension?

How does Amazon decide to suspend?

Amazon monitors accounts and listings both with automated systems and with human review. Deviations in performance metrics, customer and brand complaints, inconsistencies in product information and verification problems with account details can trigger this assessment. In some cases only a listing is removed; in others, the selling privileges of the whole account are stopped. The decision is usually announced through a notification in Seller Central and by email.

The most common reasons

1. Deteriorating performance metrics

Metrics such as the order defect rate, late shipment rate and order cancellation rate falling outside the level Amazon expects puts the account at risk. Always check the current targets for these metrics in Seller Central. For details, see our article What is Account Health? and our order defect rate page.

2. Product authenticity complaints

When buyers or Amazon think a product is not authentic, this often results in a request for invoices and supplier documents. The documents must be legible, dated and consistent with the product. For these cases, see our product authenticity issues page.

3. Intellectual property and copyright violations

Complaints from trademark and copyright owners can lead to listings or the account being restricted. Selling products under a brand name without the brand owner's authorization, or using images and text without permission, falls into this category. For more, see our article on intellectual property and our intellectual property service page.

4. Product safety, prohibited and restricted products

Amazon bans the sale of some products completely and requires category approval or additional documents for others. Age-restricted products and categories that require safety measures also fall into this group. Checking the rules before you sell prevents restrictions later. Details: prohibited and restricted products and age-restricted products.

5. Pricing policy violations

Amazon's fair pricing policy targets products offered on Amazon at an unreasonably high price; for example, pricing a product significantly higher than its price on other channels or than your own recent prices can be risky. For the current details of the policy, see our article on fair pricing.

6. Drop shipping and sales model rules

Amazon expects the seller to be registered as the seller of the product and to follow certain rules. Drop shipping practices that break the rules can be a reason for suspension. Related article: Drop shipping on Amazon.

7. Seller conduct rules and review manipulation

Amazon expects sellers to act honestly toward buyers and not to influence reviews and ratings artificially. Offering something in return for a review, having fake reviews written or pressuring buyers are among the serious violations. For details, see our article on the Seller Code of Conduct.

8. Identity and business verification problems

Failure to verify the identity, address and business details requested when the account is opened or later can lead to the account being suspended. The onboarding suspension belongs to this group.

9. Related accounts

The account being seen as related to another account because of elements such as a shared device, network, payment details or personal connections can be a reason for suspension. For details, see our article on related account suspensions.

10. A sudden change in sales velocity

The account deviating from its usual sales pattern can also attract Amazon's attention. On this topic, see our sales velocity suspension page.

Checklist to prevent a suspension

• Read Amazon's Seller Code of Conduct and the related policies regularly.
• Make sure your products are genuine, legal and accurately described; keep your supplier invoices.
• Prepare your authorization document before selling branded products.
• Track your Account Health metrics weekly and step in as soon as they start to deteriorate.
• Reply to customer messages promptly, respectfully and accurately.
• Keep your price, stock and product information up to date and truthful.
• Follow Amazon's rules on reviews and ratings.
• Keep your tax and legal compliance information up to date.

If you are unsure about your current situation, our account review service can help you see the risks in advance.

If you have been suspended, is a way back possible?

Every case is different. In many cases Amazon reconsiders a Plan of Action that honestly explains the root cause and shows the corrective and preventive actions with documents. However, the outcome can never be guaranteed, and the type of case, its reason and the quality of the file are decisive. For step-by-step guidance, see our first-day guide and our Plan of Action guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can Amazon suspend without a warning?

In some cases there may be only a short time between a warning and a suspension. That is why it is important to check the Account Health page and notifications regularly.

Can a single complaint get an account suspended?

It depends on the type of complaint. For issues such as intellectual property or product authenticity, even a single complaint can lead to action at the listing or account level.

What should I prioritize to avoid being suspended?

Keeping your documents in order, monitoring your metrics weekly and checking brand and category rules before selling are the three most important steps.

This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Amazon's policies can change over time; for current rules, rely on the help pages in Seller Central. First published: January 2023, updated: October 2026.