47 Amazon Seller Compliance Requirements You’re Probably Missing (Organized by Suspension Risk Level)

You just got an email from Amazon asking for documentation you’ve never heard of. Or maybe you’re staring at a product category you want to enter, wondering what hoops you’ll need to jump through. Perhaps you’re a new seller trying to figure out what Amazon actually requires before you list your first product.

Here’s what most sellers don’t realize: Amazon has dozens of compliance requirements scattered across different policy pages, category guidelines, and terms of service documents. Nobody hands you a checklist when you sign up. You’re expected to find everything yourself, and most sellers only discover requirements exist when they violate them.

At aSellingSecrets , we’ve helped over 3,000 sellers get reinstated after compliance-related suspensions. We’ve seen every type of violation, every documentation request, and every enforcement action Amazon takes. This guide exists because we got tired of seeing sellers blindsided by requirements they never knew about.

What follows is a systematic breakdown of what Amazon actually mandates, organized by how quickly each violation can shut down your account. Think of this as your compliance inventory, a reference you can check before Amazon checks you.

There’s a pattern we see constantly. A seller operates for months or even years without issues. Then one day, they get a notice asking for invoices, certificates, or verification documents they assumed they’d never need. Sometimes it’s a full suspension with no warning.

The problem isn’t that sellers are careless. It’s that Amazon’s compliance requirements aren’t centralized in one place. They’re spread across:

• The Amazon Services Business Solutions Agreement (that document you clicked “agree” on without reading)
• Category-specific requirements buried in Seller Central help pages
• Product safety and compliance policies that update without notification
• Regional regulations Amazon enforces on your behalf
• Performance standards tracked in your Account Health Dashboard

Most sellers piece this together reactively. They learn about invoice requirements when Amazon requests invoices. They discover restricted product rules when a listing gets removed. They find out about performance thresholds when they cross them.

If you want to understand your Amazon Account Health Dashboard and what those metrics actually mean, we’ve covered that separately. This guide focuses on the requirements themselves, what Amazon mandates you have, do, and maintain.

Let’s start with the requirements that can end your selling career overnight.

Account-level violations are the hardest to recover from because they affect your ability to sell anything at all. These aren’t product-specific issues you can fix by removing a listing. If you fail account verification, your entire business on Amazon stops.

1. Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or national ID card) matching the name on your seller account. Amazon may re-verify this at any time.

2. Business documentation proving your legal business entity exists. This includes business licenses, articles of incorporation, or sole proprietor registration depending on your business type.

3. Utility bill or bank statement dated within 90 days showing your business address. Amazon uses this to verify your physical location.

4. Valid phone number that can receive verification calls. If Amazon can’t reach you at this number during verification, your account gets flagged.

5. Tax information (W-9 for US sellers, W-8BEN for international sellers) must be current and match your legal business information exactly.

6. Bank account in a supported country with account holder name matching your seller identity. Mismatches here trigger immediate verification holds.

7. Credit card for seller fees that remains valid and chargeable. Expired cards or declined charges can freeze your disbursements.

8. One account per seller unless you have explicit Amazon approval for multiple accounts. Related account violations (where Amazon believes you’re operating duplicate accounts) result in immediate suspension of all accounts.

9. Acceptance of the Amazon Services Business Solutions Agreement and all updates. Amazon updates these terms regularly, and continued selling constitutes acceptance.

10. Accurate business information maintained in your account settings. If your business moves, changes names, or transfers ownership, you must update Amazon.

11. Notification of material changes to your business within 30 days. Adding a business partner, changing your legal structure, or moving to a new state all require updates.

Why are account-level issues so serious? When you fail verification or Amazon believes there’s identity fraud , your appeals go to a completely different team than product-related issues. The bar for reinstatement is higher, and the timeline is longer.

Every product you sell on Amazon must meet baseline requirements. Then, depending on the category, additional requirements stack on top. Here’s what you need to know.

12. Product authenticity : Every item must be genuine and sourced through legitimate supply chains. Amazon may request invoices proving authenticity at any time.

13. Accurate product condition : Items must match the condition listed (New, Used, Refurbished, etc.). “New” means unopened, unused, and in original packaging.

14. Listing accuracy : Your product detail page must accurately describe what customers receive. Images, descriptions, and specifications must match the actual product.

15. Proper categorization : Products must be listed in appropriate categories with correct item type keywords. Miscategorization can trigger compliance reviews.

16. UPC/EAN compliance : Most products require valid GS1-registered barcodes. Amazon regularly audits barcode legitimacy and removes listings with invalid codes.

17. Prohibited products : Amazon maintains a list of products that cannot be sold under any circumstances (illegal items, certain weapons, etc.). Selling prohibited items results in immediate account termination.

18. Restricted products approval : Some products require pre-approval before listing. This includes certain supplements, medical devices, and products with age restrictions.

19. Regional restrictions : Products legal in one state or country may be restricted in others. You’re responsible for knowing where your products can legally ship.

20. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) : Any product containing chemicals (including many cosmetics, cleaning products, and supplements) may require SDS documentation.

21. Hazmat classification : Products must be properly classified for shipping. Items containing lithium batteries, aerosols, or flammable materials have specific handling requirements.

22. Exemption sheets : Products that appear hazardous but aren’t may need exemption documentation proving they’re safe for standard shipping.

23. FDA compliance : Food items, dietary supplements, and over-the-counter drugs must comply with FDA regulations including proper labeling.

24. Expiration date requirements : Amazon requires remaining shelf life of at least 90 days upon arrival at fulfillment centers (for FBA). Some categories require longer.

25. Ingredient labeling : All ingredients must be listed as required by federal regulations. Missing or incorrect labels trigger listing removal.

26. Manufacturing facility registration : Some supplement sellers must provide evidence that products come from registered facilities.

27. CPSIA compliance : Products intended for children under 12 must meet Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act requirements including lead testing and choking hazard labels.

28. Children’s Product Certificates (CPC) : Required for most children’s products, proving third-party testing by a CPSC-accepted laboratory.

29. Tracking labels : Children’s products must have permanent tracking labels identifying manufacturer, production date, and batch information.

30. Age grading : Products must include appropriate age recommendations based on safety testing.

31. FCC compliance : Electronic devices that emit radio frequencies must be FCC certified or verified.

32. UL certification : Products with electrical components often require UL or equivalent safety certification.

33. Battery requirements : Products with lithium batteries have specific labeling, testing, and shipping requirements.

34. Cosmetic labeling compliance : FDA requires specific label information including ingredient lists, net contents, and manufacturer information.

35. Claims substantiation : Any claims about product benefits must be truthful and not cross into drug claim territory.

36. Organic certification : Products labeled as organic must have valid USDA organic certification.

Product compliance gets the most attention, but operational requirements trip up experienced sellers just as often. These are the performance standards and behavioral requirements Amazon enforces daily.

37. Order Defect Rate (ODR) must stay below 1%. This includes A-to-Z claims, chargebacks, and negative feedback. Cross this threshold and you face immediate account review.

38. Late Shipment Rate must remain below 4% for seller-fulfilled orders. Ship late on more than 4% of orders and expect warnings followed by restrictions.

39. Pre-fulfillment Cancellation Rate must stay below 2.5%. Canceling too many orders (especially for inventory issues) signals poor seller practices.

40. Valid Tracking Rate must exceed 95% for seller-fulfilled orders. Orders without valid tracking hurt your metrics even if they arrive on time.

41. Buyer message response time : Amazon expects responses within 24 hours. Consistently slow responses affect your account health.

42. A-to-Z claim handling : You must respond to claims within the specified timeframe with appropriate documentation.

43. Return request processing : Returns must be authorized and processed according to Amazon’s return policies, which may exceed your personal preferences.

44. Prep and packaging requirements : Products must arrive at fulfillment centers meeting Amazon’s prep standards. Incorrect prep results in fees or rejected shipments.

45. Labeling requirements : FBA products must have scannable barcodes and any required suffocation warnings or other labels.

46. Inventory storage limits : You must stay within your allocated storage limits. Excess inventory incurs fees and can restrict future shipments.

For sellers running their own fulfillment, there are additional requirements around shipping speeds, packaging standards, and delivery confirmation that vary by shipping template and Prime eligibility.

IP complaints are among the fastest-acting suspension triggers on Amazon. A single complaint from a brand owner can remove your listing within hours and threaten your entire account.

47. Trademark compliance : You cannot use brand names, logos, or trademarked terms in your listings without authorization. This includes your product titles, bullet points, descriptions, and images.

Beyond this core requirement, you need to understand:

Copyright compliance : Product images, listing copy, and A+ content must be original or properly licensed. Using a competitor’s photos or copying their descriptions exposes you to copyright claims.

Patent awareness : Selling products that infringe on design or utility patents can result in listings being removed and account-level action if the issue is widespread.

Authorization documentation : If you sell branded products, keeping authorization letters from brand owners or distributors protects you when (not if) Amazon asks for proof.

Brand Registry interaction : Brands enrolled in Amazon Brand Registry have powerful tools to report sellers. Understanding how they can report you helps you avoid triggering complaints.

IP violations often require a different appeal strategy than other suspension types. Sometimes the fastest resolution involves contacting the rights owner directly rather than appealing to Amazon.

Some categories on Amazon are “gated,” meaning you can’t list products until you receive approval. Others are open but have specific requirements that apply once you start selling.

• Grocery and Gourmet Foods : Requires invoices showing minimum purchase quantities from approved suppliers
• Health and Personal Care : Documentation requirements vary by subcategory
• Beauty : Often requires invoices and may require brand authorization
• Jewelry : Has quality and authenticity documentation requirements
• Watches : Requires invoices and often brand authorization
• Automotive : Specific subcategories require approval
• Collectible Coins : Requires professional grading or detailed documentation

Even in ungated categories, specific brands may be gated. You might be able to sell generic phone cases freely but need approval to sell cases from specific brand names.

Brand gating requirements typically include:

• Invoices from authorized distributors dated within 180 days
• Minimum quantity thresholds (often 10+ units per invoice)
• Letter of authorization from the brand owner in some cases
• Images of actual product and packaging

Getting approved doesn’t mean staying approved. Amazon can revoke category access if:

• Your performance metrics in that category fall below standards
• You receive IP complaints from brands in that category
• Customer complaints about authenticity accumulate
• You fail to provide requested documentation during audits

When you’re expanding into new categories or launching new product lines, consider getting a free account audit to identify potential compliance gaps before they become problems.

Knowing the requirements is step one. Step two is assessing where you actually stand. Here’s a practical walkthrough for evaluating your own compliance status.

Ask yourself:

• Is all your registered business information current and accurate?
• Do you have current, valid identity documents that match your account information?
• Is your bank account and credit card information up to date?
• Have you acknowledged all recent policy updates in Seller Central?
• Are you operating only one account (or have documented approval for multiple)?

For each product category you sell in:

• Do you have invoices from your suppliers dated within the last 365 days?
• Are your suppliers authorized distributors for branded products?
• Do you have required certifications (CPC, SDS, FDA compliance docs) on file?
• Are your listings accurate in terms of condition, images, and descriptions?
• Have you verified your products aren’t on any restricted or prohibited lists?

Check your Account Health Dashboard:

• Is your ODR below 1%?
• Is your late shipment rate below 4%?
• Is your cancellation rate below 2.5%?
• Are you responding to customer messages within 24 hours?
• Do you have any unresolved policy violations or warnings?

• Do you have authorization to sell every branded product in your inventory?
• Are all your product images original or properly licensed?
• Is your listing copy original (not copied from competitors or brand websites)?
• Have you checked for any outstanding IP complaints in your account health?

If you found gaps during this self-audit, you’re not alone. Most sellers discover compliance holes they didn’t know existed. The question is whether you find them or Amazon does. If you want professional eyes on your account, our team at aSellingSecrets offers compliance reviews through our Amazon Shield+ protection service.

Not all violations are treated equally. Understanding how Amazon escalates enforcement helps you prioritize which gaps to fix first.

Minor issues often start with warnings. You might see:

• Performance notifications asking you to improve metrics
• Product listing deactivations for specific items
• Requests for documentation without immediate consequences
• Policy reminders in your account health notifications

These aren’t penalties yet, but they’re on record. Repeated warnings escalate.

Continued issues or more serious violations result in:

• Specific ASIN deactivations requiring appeals to restore
• Category-level restrictions removing your ability to sell in certain areas
• FBA privileges suspended while you address issues
• New listing creation blocked

At this stage, your account is still active, but your ability to sell is limited.

Serious violations or accumulated issues lead to suspension:

• Your selling privileges are removed
• Your listings are deactivated
• Your funds are typically held for 90+ days
• You must submit an appeal to be considered for reinstatement

If you’re facing suspension, understanding what to do in the first 72 hours is critical. Rushed or poorly written appeals often make things worse.

Some violations (fraud, repeated policy abuse, illegal products) result in permanent bans with no appeal path. Related accounts may also be terminated.

Here’s what many sellers don’t realize: violations don’t exist in isolation. Amazon’s systems track patterns. A seller with:

• One IP complaint + declining ODR + a recent policy warning

Faces a much higher suspension risk than a seller with just one of those issues. The combination signals systemic problems, and that’s what triggers account-level review.

This is why proactive compliance matters. Fixing small issues before they accumulate prevents the compound effect that leads to suspension.

Amazon’s requirements aren’t static. Policies update, new documentation requirements emerge, and enforcement priorities shift. Staying compliant means staying informed.

• Seller Central News : Check announcements regularly for policy updates
• Account Health Dashboard : Review weekly for any new notifications
• Category-specific pages : Bookmark and check requirements for your categories quarterly
• Amazon Seller Forums : Other sellers often spot enforcement changes before official announcements

Keep organized records of:

• Supplier invoices (maintain for at least 3 years)
• Authorization letters and agreements
• Product certifications and test reports
• Business registration and identity documents
• Any correspondence with Amazon about your account

When Amazon requests documentation, having it organized and accessible makes the difference between a quick resolution and a prolonged account issue.

At minimum, maintain supplier invoices dated within the last 365 days showing product details, quantities, and supplier information. For branded products, keep authorization letters. For regulated categories, keep relevant certifications (CPC for children’s products, SDS for hazmat items, FDA compliance docs for consumables). Store copies of your business registration, tax documents, and identity verification materials. The more organized your documentation, the faster you can respond to Amazon’s requests.

Amazon updates policies continuously, sometimes with little notice. Major policy changes typically appear in Seller Central announcements, but smaller updates might only appear in category-specific help pages. Check your Seller Central news feed weekly, review your Account Health Dashboard regularly, and bookmark the policy pages most relevant to your product categories. Following Amazon seller communities can also provide early warning when other sellers notice enforcement changes.

Yes. Amazon operates on a “you agreed to the terms” basis. When you create a seller account, you accept responsibility for knowing and following all policies, even ones buried in help pages you’ve never visited. Ignorance isn’t a defense in appeals. This is why proactive compliance review matters, and why many sellers work with professionals who understand the full scope of Amazon’s requirements.

A warning notifies you of an issue and asks you to correct it. You can usually continue selling while addressing the problem. A suspension removes your selling privileges entirely. You can’t sell, your listings go down, and your funds are held. Suspensions require formal appeals and reinstatement before you can resume operations. Warnings can escalate to suspensions if ignored or if the underlying issue isn’t resolved.

Product compliance requirements (authenticity, safety, restricted products) apply equally to both. The difference is in operational requirements. FBA sellers must meet Amazon’s prep, labeling, and packaging standards, plus manage storage limits and inventory age. FBM sellers must meet performance metrics for shipping speed, tracking accuracy, and on-time delivery. FBA sellers also face additional hazmat classification requirements since Amazon’s fulfillment centers have strict rules about what they’ll store and ship.

Some sellers can handle compliance on their own. Others, especially those with large catalogs, multiple categories, or complex supply chains, benefit from professional guidance.

Consider getting expert help if:

• You’re expanding into regulated categories for the first time
• You’ve received warnings you don’t fully understand
• You’re setting up a new account and want to start compliant
• You’ve been asked for documentation and aren’t sure what to provide
• You’re facing a suspension and need to know exactly what went wrong

Our team at aSellingSecrets has helped over 3,000 sellers handle compliance issues with a 97% success rate. Whether you need a compliance review before problems start or help recovering from a suspension that’s already happened, get a free consultation to discuss your situation.

Compliance doesn’t have to be overwhelming. When you know what Amazon requires and you have systems to meet those requirements, selling becomes much less stressful. The sellers who struggle are the ones who learn about requirements through violations. Don’t be one of them.