A Section 3 suspension is when Amazon shuts down your seller account for violating their Code of Conduct — often without clear explanation. It’s one of the hardest suspensions to recover from, so prevention is key.
How to Prevent a Section 3 Suspension
The best way to deal with a Section 3 suspension is to avoid one altogether. Here are the most important ways to protect your seller account:
1). Always Inspect Your Inventory
Never ship products directly from your supplier to Amazon unless you have complete confidence in their reliability and have used them before.
Many sellers have been suspended because their supplier sent in low-quality, damaged, or counterfeit items. If you’re sourcing overseas, consider using a third-party inspection service or have the products shipped to you first so you can verify the condition.
2). Vet Your Suppliers Carefully
Don’t assume that a professional-looking website or a listing on a directory like WholesaleCentral means a supplier is trustworthy. Look for authorized distributors, ask for credentials, and make sure the supplier is willing to provide proper invoices. If a supplier refuses to give you basic verification, that’s a red flag.
3). Avoid Restricted Brands
Certain brands are heavily protected on Amazon. Even if you legally purchase their products, Amazon may still require a letter of authorization or additional documentation to prove your right to sell them. If you don’t have the proper paperwork, Amazon can accuse you of selling inauthentic items, leading to an account shutdown.
4). Keep All Records and Documentation
If Amazon questions the authenticity of your products, you’ll need to respond quickly with:
- Purchase invoices with full supplier details
- Proof of payment (bank or credit card statement)
- Supplier contact information
- Product photos or inspection reports
- Letters of authorization (if needed)
Sellers who don’t keep organized documentation often find themselves unable to respond properly to Amazon’s requests, and that can result in a permanent suspension.
What Happens When You’re Suspended
If you’re suspended under Section 3, Amazon will lock you out of your account.
You won’t be able to close the account, remove inventory, or even contact support easily. Amazon will continue charging storage fees on any FBA inventory you have in their warehouses, even if you can’t sell or remove it. Many sellers have reported losing thousands of dollars while being unable to access their products or earnings.
Amazon support is often unhelpful during this process. Most messages are handled by automated responses or bots, and getting a real person to review your case can take weeks.
How to Respond and Try to Get Reinstated
Although Section 3 suspensions are difficult to reverse, there are steps you can take to improve your chances.
First, don’t rush your appeal. Your initial response is the most important. Take the time to gather all of your documentation and create a single, well-organized PDF that includes:
- A clear, honest explanation of what happened
- A plan of action detailing how you’ll prevent the issue in the future
- All required documents to support your claim
Keep your appeal professional, concise, and factual. Avoid blaming Amazon or being overly emotional.
If you used a bad supplier, own the mistake and show how you’ve corrected it.
Some sellers recommend opening a case with seller support just to get a case number, then requesting that it be escalated to an account specialist. However, most support agents cannot help with suspensions, and it may take multiple attempts before your case is reviewed properly.
What If Reinstatement Fails?
If your appeal is denied or ignored, you may have limited options. In many cases, sellers end up abandoning their accounts. Some manage to dispute Amazon’s ongoing FBA fees through their credit card or bank, especially when they can prove that they’ve been locked out with no ability to remove inventory.
