Amazon Account Health Policy Compliance (Part 2)

Welcome back to the Amazon Account Health Series.

In the last blog, we went through three of the most common and dangerous policy compliance issues for resellers: suspected intellectual property violations, received intellectual property complaints, and product authenticity complaints.

In this post, we’re continuing with policy compliance and focusing on seven more violation types that resellers regularly face:

• Product Condition Customer Complaints
• Food and Product Safety Issues
• Listing Policy Violations
• Restricted Product Policy Violations
• Customer Product Review Policy Violations
• Other Policy Violations
• Regulatory Compliance

These issues might not sound as serious as authenticity complaints, but they can still heavily impact account health and even lead to suspensions if left unmanaged. Let’s go through each one.

Product Condition Customer Complaints

This violation happens when a customer claims the item they received wasn’t in the expected condition. Examples include:

• “The item is used” (when you listed it as new).
• “Packaging was damaged.”
• “Item looked old, scuffed, or not sealed properly.”

As sellers, this usually comes down to:

• Buying stock that isn’t truly new (e.g., clearance stock that’s shopworn).
• Poor storage, packaging, or shipping that damages the product before the customer receives it.

How to combat it:

• Only sell products that are 100% new, sealed, and in retail condition.
• Avoid items with shelf wear, faded packaging, or damaged boxes.
• Store products in a clean, dry environment to prevent damage.
• Use proper protective packaging when sending orders.
• If you’re unsure whether an item counts as “new,” don’t list it as new, use “used – like new” instead.

Food and Product Safety Issues

This violation is raised when Amazon receives complaints about products being unsafe, expired, or not fit for use. For sellers, this is especially relevant if you sell grocery items, supplements, cosmetics, or health & beauty products.

Common triggers include:

• Selling short dated or expired products.
• Selling products without correct safety labels.
• Complaints of allergic reactions or side effects.

How to combat it:

• Always check expiry dates and keep records of shelf life.
• Rotate stock so older units go first.
• Make sure packaging is intact and has all safety labels.
• Source from reliable suppliers, never touch grey market or untraceable goods.
• Avoid high risk categories (like supplements) unless you’re confident in your supplier and storage process.

Listing Policy Violations

These happen when you sell against a listing that doesn’t comply with Amazon’s rules or if Amazon believes you’ve contributed to the problem.

As Sellers, we don’t create listings, but we are still responsible for what we sell against. If the listing itself has incorrect images, misleading details, or claims Amazon doesn’t allow, you can still get hit.

How to combat it:

• Always double check the listing before selling against it.
• Make sure the images, titles, and descriptions actually match the product you’re selling.
• If the listing looks suspicious (wrong barcode, incorrect brand, poor images) avoid it.

Restricted Product Policy Violations

Amazon has strict rules around restricted products, items you’re simply not allowed to sell on their marketplace, or that require pre approval.

For sellers, this can catch you out if:

• The product is in a category requiring safety certification (e.g., toys, electronics, medical items).

How to combat it:

• Always check if a product is gated or restricted before sourcing it. You can do this directly in Seller Central or with tools like SellerAmp.
• Stick to categories you’re approved for.
• If you want to sell in restricted categories, work towards approval by building account history and submitting invoices from authorised suppliers.

Customer Product Review Policy Violations

Another area resellers can get caught out in is customer review manipulation. Even if you don’t directly ask for reviews, Amazon may still flag issues if:

• You include inserts or notes in packaging asking for reviews.
• You message customers in a way Amazon considers “manipulative.”

How to combat it:

• Never add notes or flyers in your packaging.
• Use only Amazon’s “Request a Review” button in Seller Central.
• Avoid offering discounts, refunds, or incentives in exchange for reviews.

Other Policy Violations

This category is a bit of a “catch all” for anything that doesn’t fall neatly into the others. Examples include:

• Abusing the messaging system.
• Creating multiple seller accounts without permission.
• Misusing promotions or pricing.

How to combat it:

• Stick strictly to Amazon’s communication rules, only use buyer/seller messaging for legitimate customer support.
• Operate only one account unless you have written approval from Amazon.
• Follow Amazon’s pricing rules, don’t try to manipulate sales rank or suppress competitors.

Regulatory Compliance

Amazon also monitors compliance with local and international laws. For resellers, this usually relates to safety regulations around products.

Examples include:

• Selling electronics without CE/UKCA markings (in the UK/EU).
• Toys without safety certifications.
• Products missing legally required labelling (e.g. cosmetics or food).

How to combat it:

• Source only from trusted suppliers who provide compliant stock.
• Keep copies of safety certificates, compliance paperwork, or manufacturer declarations.
• Be careful with imports, just because a product sells abroad doesn’t mean it’s legal in the UK/EU marketplace.

Policy Compliance Checklist for Resellers

Here’s a quick reference guide you can use to protect your account:

✅ Do’s

• Source from authorised, traceable suppliers only.
• Keep invoices, receipts, and compliance certificates for all stock.
• Check expiry dates and rotate stock regularly.
• Store products correctly to avoid damage.
• Inspect packaging before shipping, everything must look retail ready.
• Double check listings match your product before listing against them.
• Use Amazon’s “Request a Review” feature instead of manual review requests.
• Monitor your account health dashboard weekly.
• Ensure products meet local regulatory standards (CE/UKCA, safety labels, expiry dates).

❌ Dont’s

• Don’t sell shelf worn, shop damaged, or opened items as “new.”
• Don’t source from unknown wholesalers or grey market sellers.
• Don’t list against ASINs that look suspicious or incorrect.
• Don’t try to sell restricted or gated brands without approval.
• Don’t include inserts, flyers, or messages asking for reviews.
• Don’t create multiple accounts without Amazon’s written permission.
• Don’t ignore violations, always investigate and appeal.