Why Buyers Get Banned from Amazon
While most shoppers never run into issues, Amazon does ban buyer accounts in certain cases. As a private business, Amazon reserves the right to refuse service to anyone if they pose a risk to the platform’s integrity or profitability. Bans usually happen when buyer behavior consistently violates Amazon’s policies or appears suspicious.
Common Reasons for Buyer Account Bans
- Abuse of the Returns Policy
Excessive or unjustified returns — especially when items are not defective — can flag an account as unprofitable and lead to a suspension or ban. - Fraudulent Activity
This includes using stolen payment methods, attempting credit card fraud, or returning items that are not the ones originally purchased. - Review Manipulation
Soliciting, buying, or posting fake reviews undermines Amazon’s review system and is strictly prohibited. - Suspicious Account Behavior
Operating multiple accounts to bypass restrictions or creating new accounts after a ban can trigger further enforcement. - Abusive Conduct
Harassment or abusive language directed at sellers or Amazon customer service staff may also result in account suspension. - Violation of Terms of Service
Any breach of Amazon’s terms — from policy violations to prohibited activities — can justify an account ban.
The most common reason buyers lose their Amazon accounts is excessive returns or refund requests. While Amazon doesn’t publish an exact threshold, its systems closely monitor shopping patterns for signs of abuse.
Amazon’s return policy is intentionally generous to protect customers, but if your return rate is unusually high compared to your total purchases, it can raise red flags. Once flagged, Amazon may issue a warning and in more severe cases, permanently ban the account.
How to Get Back On As a Buyer
| Section | What to Do | What to Include |
|---|---|---|
| 1) Understand the Reason |
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| 2) Prepare Your Appeal |
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| 3) Submit Your Appeal |
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| Important Considerations | ||
| Minor vs. Major | Expect faster reinstatement for minor issues; severe violations may be permanent. | Clear proof of fixes; acknowledge mistakes. |
| Linked Accounts | Ensure you’re not connected to banned accounts. | Explanation of any shared addresses, devices, or banking details. |
| Avoid Scams | Ignore “guaranteed reinstatement” services. | N/A |
| Persistence | Refine and resubmit if denied. | Revised POA with stronger evidence and prevention steps. |
Why Sellers Get Banned from Amazon
Selling on Amazon can be highly profitable, but it also comes with strict rules. Amazon takes customer trust seriously, and any actions that threaten that trust can lead to account suspension or a permanent ban. While bans may feel sudden, they almost always trace back to violations of Amazon’s policies and terms of service.
Common Reasons for Amazon Seller Bans
- Counterfeit or Prohibited Products
Selling counterfeit, unauthorized, or restricted items — especially those that violate safety standards — is one of the fastest ways to get banned. - Poor Product Quality
If your products are consistently defective, misrepresented, or fail to meet customer expectations, complaints can pile up and trigger a suspension. - Shipping and Order Issues
Late shipments, frequent cancellations, or invalid tracking information damage customer experience. A high defect rate in order fulfillment can quickly result in account closure. - Customer Experience Failures
Amazon prioritizes customer satisfaction. Too many negative reviews, poor communication, or unaddressed complaints can cause Amazon to step in. - Fraudulent Activities
Practices like buying fake reviews, manipulating ratings, or generating fake orders are taken very seriously and often result in immediate bans. - Misleading or Inaccurate Listings
Inflated claims, deceptive descriptions, or violations of Amazon’s listing guidelines can flag your account. - Copyright and IP Infringement
Using another seller’s content, branding, or images without permission violates intellectual property rights and can shut down your account. - Suspicious Behavior
Running multiple seller accounts without approval or engaging in activity that Amazon deems unusual or fraudulent can result in bans across all linked accounts. - General Policy Violations
From intellectual property disputes to ignoring product safety requirements, any breach of Amazon’s seller code of conduct can lead to suspension.
Amazon doesn’t usually ban sellers overnight. Account suspensions typically progress through stages, each requiring a different response. Knowing these stages — and how to handle them — can mean the difference between getting reinstated and losing your account permanently.
Account Suspension / Deactivation (Temporary Hold)
- What it is: A pause on your selling privileges due to performance issues or policy violations.
- Causes: High late shipment rates, customer complaints, listing errors, or compliance issues.
- Action: Carefully review Amazon’s notification, identify the root cause, and submit a detailed Plan of Action (POA) through Seller Central.
Appeal Denied (Rejection)
- What it is: Amazon rejected your first POA, finding it insufficient.
- Causes: The plan didn’t fully address the issue or lacked preventive measures.
- Action: Strengthen your POA, add supporting evidence, and resubmit with clear corrective steps.
Account Ban (Permanent Removal)
- What it is: Permanent loss of selling privileges — the final stage.
- Causes: Serious violations like selling counterfeit products, review manipulation, or repeated policy breaches.
- Action: In most cases, bans are irreversible, and appeals are no longer accepted.
Key Takeaways for Sellers
- Differentiate Enforcement Types: Know the difference between ASIN suppression (one product), suspension (account on hold), denied appeal, and a full ban.
- Be Proactive: Regularly monitor your Account Health Dashboard to catch issues early.
- Write a Strong POA: Address the root cause, immediate fixes, and long-term prevention.
- Severity Matters: Minor issues may only lead to temporary holds, but severe violations (like counterfeits) can trigger instant bans.
How to Get Back on as a Seller
| Section | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1) Understand the Reason for Your Ban | ||
| Understand the Reason | Check Account Health | Log in to Seller Central → Performance → Account Health, then review the flagged issue. |
| Understand the Reason | Read the Notification | Carefully examine Amazon’s message to pinpoint the root cause of the violation. |
| 2) Draft a Strong Plan of Action | ||
| Draft POA | Acknowledge the Problem | Take responsibility for the violation in clear, direct language. |
| Draft POA | Explain the Root Cause | Describe what went wrong and why. |
| Draft POA | Outline Corrective Steps | Detail actions taken and how you’ll prevent recurrence. |
| Draft POA | Reference Policies | Cite the specific Amazon policies relevant to your case. |
| Draft POA | Provide Proof | Attach supporting evidence (invoices, supplier docs, etc.) as non-editable PDFs. |
| 3) Submit Your Appeal | ||
| Submit Appeal | Use the Appeal Button | In Account Health, select the issue and click Appeal to submit your POA. |
| Submit Appeal | Stay Concise & Professional | Keep it factual and well-structured; avoid emotional language and contradictions. |
| 4) Escalate if Necessary | ||
| Escalation | Contact Seller Support | Call or message Support for clarification or to request an internal review. |
| Escalation | Email Executive Team | If denied, escalate by emailing Amazon’s executive team with your POA and evidence attached. |
Amazon Ban FAQ
Amazon rarely bans buyers, but it can happen if your activity looks suspicious or abusive. To keep your account safe:
- Shop normally: Make legitimate purchases and avoid shady practices.
- Use one account: Multiple accounts raise red flags.
- Limit returns: Too many returns or refunds may trigger a ban.
- Keep info updated: Make sure payment and account details are current.
- Be honest: Don’t manipulate reviews or mislead sellers.
- Avoid VPNs: Hidden or inconsistent locations can look suspicious.
- Treat Amazon like any other store — shop responsibly and you’ll have no problems.
To keep your Amazon seller account safe:
- Follow Policies: Stick to Amazon’s rules and keep listings accurate.
- Deliver on Time: Fulfill orders promptly with reliable shipping.
- Prioritize Service: Provide excellent customer support and resolve issues quickly.
- Monitor Account Health: Check for notifications and act on them right away.
- Stay Secure: Protect your login, avoid public Wi-Fi, and don’t click suspicious links.
- Use One Account: Operating multiple accounts without approval can trigger a ban.
- Stay compliant, proactive, and customer-focused: that’s the best way to protect your account.
No. If you’ve been banned, opening a new account won’t work. Amazon’s advanced tracking systems — monitoring IP addresses, browser fingerprints, and even click patterns — will detect it, shut it down, and make reinstating your original account much harder.
Why Creating a New Account Fails
- Sophisticated detection: Amazon quickly links new accounts to banned ones.
- Higher risk level: Attempting to bypass a ban increases the difficulty of future appeals.
- Policy violation: Opening a new account after a ban breaks Amazon’s terms, leading to more permanent consequences.
What You Should Do Instead
- Appeal the original ban: Work directly with Amazon to address violations and submit a strong appeal.
- Don’t circumvent: Avoid creating new accounts — it only worsens your situation.
NOTE – The only real path back is through appealing your original suspension.
Having an appeal denied doesn’t always mean the end — it means you need to strengthen your case. Here’s how:
Understand the Denial
- Review Amazon’s response: Read the email or notification carefully.
- Identify gaps: Determine what was missing or unclear in your first appeal.
Revise and Resubmit
- Strengthen your POA: Address the violation more thoroughly with clear corrective steps.
- Add new evidence: Include invoices, receipts, or other proof of compliance.
- Stay professional: Keep your tone factual, not defensive or emotional.
Seek Professional Help
- Consult experts: Reinstatement services or Amazon consultants can help refine your appeal.
- Engage legal counsel: For serious or repeated denials, a lawyer experienced in Amazon suspensions may provide strategic guidance.
Escalate Your Appeal
- Request escalation: Ask Seller Support to elevate your case.
- Use direct channels: For account health issues, email seller-performance@amazon.com.
Consider Alternatives
- Funds disbursement: If reinstatement fails, contact disbursement-appeals@amazon.com within 90 days to request a review.
- Explore other marketplaces: If your account remains closed, consider diversifying to other platforms.
NOTE – Don’t give up after a denial. Strengthen your appeal, provide solid evidence, and escalate if necessary — persistence and professionalism can make all the difference.
If your seller account is suspended, the first step is to log into Seller Central and open the Account Health dashboard. From there, you’ll see options to:
- Use the “Call Me Now” button to speak with Amazon directly.
- Click “View Appeal” to submit your reinstatement request.
Before appealing, carefully review Amazon’s suspension notice to understand the violation. Then prepare a detailed Plan of Action (POA) that:
- Acknowledges the issue.
- Explains the root cause.
- Outlines corrective and preventive steps.
- Includes supporting documents (invoices, receipts, etc.).
After submitting your appeal, monitor the Account Health dashboard for follow-up requests. If your account remains suspended despite multiple appeals, you can escalate by writing a one-page summary of your prior appeals and sending it to Amazon’s executive escalation team.
