How to Avoid 3 Costly Amazon Listing Reinstatement Pitfalls
- brandgenius2023
- Mar 7
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Elevating brand reputation is essential to maintain long-term success as an Amazon seller. But this reputation can be affected due to account suspension which leads to low sales. Amazon provides lots of opportunities for new and old sellers to drive sales boost, store visibility, higher conversion rates, and successful business. However, to establish a successful business and prevent errors, it is crucial to follow Amazon’s stringent policies and reinstatement procedures.
Three Critical Amazon Listing Reinstatement Mistakes That Can Cost You
You can make errors that can risk losing sales and end up losing customers while updating the product listing or inventory management. It becomes challenging to oversee Amazon's marketplace if listing suspensions threaten your revenue stream. According to a study, 80% of Amazon listing reinstatement issues are resolved within 20 days. However, the remaining 20% can extend from 30 to 90 days because these issues are the most time-consuming and resource-draining.
Our expert team analyzed these issues for five 7-figure brands in the electronics sector and identified the top three reinstatement challenges that disrupt sales and affect yearly revenue:
UPC Issues & Wrong Company Association
Safety & Compliance Documentation
High Return Rate & Negative Feedback Prevention
These mistakes can be difficult to recover from altogether. This is why it’s important to be aware of these common Amazon seller mistakes so you can avoid them and bring your business back to life as promptly as possible.
Let’s get right into these most common mistakes you must avoid to get your business up and heading again on Amazon.
1. UPC Issues & Wrong Company Association
Universal Product Codes (UPCs) are essential to identify any product on Amazon. However, your product listing can be suspended due to discrepancies in UPC information. To avoid any suspension, consider the following:
Brand Name Matching: According to Amazon's UPC Barcode Policy Explanation, align your UPC with your brand name in Amazon's backend because mismatches can cause confusion and potential suspensions.
GS1 Verification: Amazon recognizes only GS1-registered UPCs as per Amazon's UPC Barcode Policy Explanation. So, verify your UPC with GS1 to ensure its authenticity and uphold compliance with set standards.
UPC Association: UPC Codes Being Used By Another Company AGAIN? To avoid this issue check your UPC is linked to another seller or company because unauthorized associations can lead to listing issues.
Case Study: A seller purchased UPCs from GS1 for their products to find that another company was using the same codes for unrelated products. This unauthorized usage prevented the seller from listing their products on Amazon. Rather than submitting all necessary documentation to prove ownership of the UPCs, the seller faced listing conflicts and got help to overcome the challenge.
2. Safety & Compliance Documentation
Amazon requires sellers (specifically in the electronics category) to comply with stringent safety and compliance standards as non-compliance can cause listing removals. To ensure regulatory compliance, fulfill these steps:
Certifications: As mentioned in Amazon's Electronics Compliance Requirements, upload necessary certifications (FCC, UL, CE, or RoHS) for electronic devices.
Hazard Warnings: Include appropriate battery and hazard warnings in your product listings.
Regulatory Compliance: According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) make sure your products meet local, state, and federal regulations.
Case Study: An Amazon seller's account was suspended under Section 3 of the Amazon Business Solutions Agreement due to product authenticity concerns. The seller had fully complied with Amazon's requests and provided all supply chain documentation (bank statements, invoices, and proof of delivery). Despite this compliance, the account remained suspended, funds were frozen, and the seller was unable to ship products. This case highlights the importance of safety and compliance documentation.
3. High Return Rate & Negative Feedback Prevention
High return rates and negative feedback can signal product quality issues which may cause listing suspensions. To mitigate this issue:
Accurate Descriptions: Set correct customer expectations by ensuring product descriptions are comprehensive and accurate.
High-Quality Visuals: To attract customers, use high-resolution images and videos that accurately represent the product.
Return Analysis: Identify and address recurring complaints by analyzing return reasons.
Durable Packaging: Invest in sturdy packaging to prevent damage during shipping.
Case Study: A seller's listing was blocked due to a higher-than-average seller controllable return rate, with top issues cited as "Defective" and "Not as described." The seller believed that some customers were exploiting the system to get free return shipping. This situation highlights the need for accurate product descriptions and quality control to prevent high return rates and potential listing suspensions.
Conclusion
To run and sustain a profitable business, it is important to boost sales, conversions, and brand visibility. As human beings, sellers can make mistakes during store management which can cause listing suspension. To Avoid these costly listing reinstatement pitfalls, ensure UPC accuracy, maintain up-to-date safety and compliance documentation, and address factors that contribute to high return rates. Sellers can safeguard their listings and maintain a steady revenue stream through:
Regular audits of UPCs, brand associations, and compliance documents
Knowledge of current Amazon Selling Policies and industry regulations for ongoing compliance.
Customer feedback and returns checks to identify and rectify potential issues.
FAQs
How can I verify if my UPC is GS1-registered?
Visit the GS1 website and use their search tool to verify your UPC's registration status. GS1 Company Database
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