What to Do When Your Amazon Seller Account is Closed: A Step-by-Step Guide

For many businesses, Amazon is a vital sales channel. When an account is unexpectedly closed, it can be a major disruption, leading to loss of revenue and customer trust. Whether due to policy violations, performance issues, or other reasons, account closure can feel overwhelming. However, there are steps sellers can take to resolve the issue or find alternative solutions.

Identify the Reason for Closure

The first step is understanding why Amazon closed the account. Amazon typically notifies sellers via email or within Seller Central (if access is still available). Common reasons for account closure include:

• Policy Violations – Breaches of Amazon’s selling policies, such as listing restricted products, manipulating reviews, or selling counterfeit items.

• Performance Issues – High order defect rates (ODR), excessive late shipments, or frequent customer complaints.

• Linked Accounts – If Amazon detects multiple accounts operated by the same entity without approval, it may shut them down.

• Intellectual Property (IP) Claims – Complaints from brands regarding trademark or copyright infringements.

• Verification Failures – Issues with identity verification or failure to provide requested documentation.

Submit an Appeal to Amazon

Once the reason for closure is identified, the next step is to prepare and submit an appeal. This requires a well-structured Plan of Action (POA) addressing the issue and detailing corrective measures.

Key Elements of a Strong POA

• Acknowledge the issue – Clearly state what happened.

• Provide evidence – Include invoices, supplier details, or other supporting documents.

• Outline corrective actions – Explain what steps have been taken to resolve the issue and prevent future occurrences.

• Be professional and concise – Avoid emotional or defensive language; focus on facts.

The appeal can be submitted via Seller Central’s Appeal Section or by responding directly to Amazon’s email regarding the closure. If unsuccessful, additional escalations may be necessary.

Escalate the Case if Needed

If the initial appeal is denied, sellers have several escalation options

• Contact Amazon Seller Support – Engage with support teams via chat or phone for further guidance.

• Email Amazon’s Seller Performance Team – If support is unhelpful, escalating to Seller Performance (seller-performance@amazon.co.uk or seller-performance@amazon.com) may be effective.

• Use Amazon’s Executive Contacts – Reaching out to senior Amazon executives via escalation emails (e.g. jeff@amazon.com) sometimes leads to faster resolutions.

• Seek Legal Assistance – If the closure is unjustified or involves significant financial loss, consulting an e-commerce lawyer may be beneficial.

Consider Alternative Selling Strategies

If reinstatement efforts fail, sellers should explore other selling channels to maintain business operations.

• Create a New Amazon Account (with Caution) – Opening a new account requires a fresh business entity, unique banking details, and different IP addresses to avoid detection.

• Sell Through a Different Seller Account – Partnering with a third-party reseller or wholesaler who already has an established Amazon presence may provide a workaround.

• Expand to Other Marketplaces – Selling on eBay, Shopify, TikTok Shop, or Walmart Marketplace can help businesses recover lost sales.

• Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Website – Investing in a standalone e-commerce site provides full control over sales and customer relationships.

Strengthen Compliance for Future Selling

To avoid account closures in the future, sellers should:

• Regularly review Amazon’s policies to stay compliant.

• Monitor performance metrics such as Order Defect Rate, Late Shipment Rate, and Customer Feedback.

• Use Amazon Account Health Tools to detect and resolve potential issues early.

• Keep records of supplier invoices to verify product authenticity if needed.

Final Thoughts

Losing an Amazon account can be a significant challenge, but sellers still have options. By appealing strategically, exploring alternative sales channels, and strengthening compliance, businesses can recover and continue growing. Whether the goal is reinstatement or diversification, acting quickly and methodically is key.

For those navigating this situation, expert assistance can make the process smoother and improve the chances of a successful resolution.

Navigating an Amazon account closure can be complex and time-sensitive. At RT7 Digital, we specialise in helping sellers appeal account suspensions, strengthen compliance, and explore alternative selling strategies. Our team understands Amazon’s policies inside and out, giving you the best chance at reinstatement and long-term success.

If your account has been closed and you need expert guidance, get in touch with RT7 Digital today.