If you’re an Amazon seller whose account has been suspended due to dropshipping policy violations, you’re not alone. Many sellers find themselves in this situation, often due to misunderstandings of Amazon’s strict dropshipping rules. This comprehensive guide will walk you through Amazon’s dropshipping policy, explain how to avoid suspensions, and provide a detailed plan of action (POA) for reactivating your account. By the end of this post, you’ll have all the information you need to ensure compliance and get back to business.

Understanding Amazon’s Dropshipping Policy

Dropshipping, or allowing a third-party to fulfill orders to customers on your behalf, is a common practice in e-commerce. However, Amazon’s dropshipping policy is stringent and must be followed to the letter to avoid suspensions.

Key Points of Amazon’s Dropshipping Policy

Amazon allows dropshipping only under certain conditions. The key points of their policy are:

1. Seller of Record: You must be the seller of record. This means that your name, and not the name of any third-party supplier, must appear on all packing slips, invoices, external packaging, or any other information included or provided in connection with the products.
2. Prohibited Practices:
   • Third-Party Fulfillment: Purchasing products from a third party, including Amazon or another seller in Amazon’s stores, and having that third party ship directly to customers is prohibited if the shipment does not identify you as the seller of record.
   • Misleading Information: Shipping orders with packing slips, invoices, external packaging, or other information indicating a seller name or contact information other than your own is strictly prohibited.
3. Supplier Agreements:
   • You must have an agreement with your supplier where you are the only seller of record.
   • You must remove any packing slips, invoices, external packaging, or other information identifying a different seller or third-party supplier before shipping the order.
4. Customer Returns:
   • You are responsible for accepting and processing customer returns.
   • You must always comply with the Business Solutions Agreement (BSA) and applicable Amazon policies.

Implications of Policy Violations

Violating Amazon’s dropshipping policy can result in restrictions on your ability to sell using Amazon’s Merchant Fulfilled Network (MFN). Common issues leading to suspension include:

• Third-party suppliers shipping directly to customers with their own branding.
• Packaging and invoices indicating a different seller.
• Customers confused about who fulfilled their order and whom to contact with issues.

Steps to Address a Dropshipping Suspension

If your account has been suspended due to dropshipping policy violations, follow these steps to address the issue and submit a strong Plan of Action (POA).

Identify the Root Cause

First, understand why your account was suspended. Analyze the specific reasons and identify the exact violations. Was it due to unauthorized third-party branding on packaging? Were there misleading invoices?

Gather Evidence

Collect all relevant documentation to support your case. This might include:

• Invoices and agreements with suppliers showing that you are the seller of record.
• Correspondence with Amazon or third-party suppliers.
• Evidence of corrective actions taken to address the violations.

Draft Your Plan of Action (POA)

Your POA should be comprehensive and include the following sections:

1. Root Cause Analysis Clearly explain the issue that led to the suspension. Example: “The listing for ASIN B07XXXXXX was flagged for dropshipping policy violations because the packing slips included information about the third-party supplier.”
2. Immediate Corrective Actions Detail the steps you have already taken to address the issue. Example: “We immediately halted all shipments from the third-party supplier and removed all misleading packing slips and invoices.”
3. Preventive Measures Outline the measures you will implement to prevent future occurrences. Example: “We have established a new quality control process to ensure all shipments are branded correctly with our information as the seller of record.”
4. Supporting Evidence Attach relevant documents and highlight key areas to support your claims. Example: “Invoices showing the purchase of authentic products, email correspondence with the third-party supplier confirming compliance, and photos of updated packaging.”

Sample Plans of Action (POA)

Scenario 1: Actual Dropshipping Violation

Root Cause Analysis: “Our account was suspended because we allowed a third-party supplier to ship directly to customers without ensuring that our name was the seller of record on all packaging and documentation. This created confusion for customers, as the packaging and invoices indicated the supplier’s name instead of ours.”

Immediate Corrective Actions:

1. “We immediately ceased all dropshipping activities with the third-party supplier.”
2. “We reviewed and corrected all current orders to ensure that our name is the seller of record on all packaging and documentation.”
3. “We have contacted affected customers to apologize and clarify any confusion caused by the incorrect packaging and invoices.”

Preventive Measures:

1. “We have implemented a new policy where all dropshipping suppliers must sign an agreement ensuring our name appears on all packaging and documentation.”
2. “We will conduct regular audits of our shipments to verify compliance with Amazon’s dropshipping policy.”
3. “We have trained our staff on Amazon’s dropshipping policy to ensure strict adherence.”

Supporting Evidence:

1. “Invoices and agreements with our dropshipping supplier indicating compliance.”
2. “Photos of corrected packaging showing our name as the seller of record.”
3. “Copies of communications with affected customers and the third-party supplier.”

Scenario 2: False Dropshipping Violation

Root Cause Analysis: “Our account was incorrectly suspended due to a misunderstanding. Amazon flagged our account for dropshipping violations, but we have always ensured that our name is the seller of record on all packaging and documentation.”

Immediate Corrective Actions:

1. “We reviewed all our shipments and confirmed that all packaging and documentation correctly identified us as the seller of record.”
2. “We reached out to Amazon Seller Support to clarify the misunderstanding and provided evidence of our compliance.”

Preventive Measures:

1. “We have implemented a more rigorous internal audit process to ensure continued compliance with Amazon’s dropshipping policy.”
2. “We will maintain clear and detailed records of all shipments and supplier agreements to provide immediate evidence in case of future misunderstandings.”
3. “We have trained our customer service team to handle any inquiries related to our dropshipping practices and ensure accurate information is provided.”

Supporting Evidence:

1. “Detailed shipment records showing our name as the seller of record on all packaging and documentation.”
2. “Photos of packaging and invoices confirming compliance with Amazon’s dropshipping policy.”
3. “Copies of communications with Amazon Seller Support clarifying the issue and confirming our compliance.”

How to Avoid Dropshipping Policy Violations

To avoid future suspensions and ensure compliance with Amazon’s dropshipping policy, consider the following best practices:

Maintain Clear Supplier Agreements

Ensure that all agreements with your suppliers explicitly state that you are the seller of record and that no third-party branding should appear on any packaging, invoices, or other documentation.

Regularly Audit Shipments

Conduct regular audits of your shipments to verify that all packaging and documentation correctly identify you as the seller of record. This will help catch any issues early and prevent policy violations.

Train Your Team

Educate your team on Amazon’s dropshipping policy and the importance of compliance. Regular training sessions can help ensure that everyone understands and follows the rules.

Use Amazon’s Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF)

For inventory you own, consider using Amazon’s Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) service. MCF is an unbranded service that can fulfill products sold on other sales and competitor channels, helping you avoid the pitfalls of third-party dropshipping.

Communicate Clearly with Customers

Ensure that your customers understand that you are the seller of record. Clear communication can help prevent confusion and reduce the risk of policy violations.

Conclusion

Navigating Amazon’s dropshipping policy can be challenging, but understanding the rules and implementing best practices can help you avoid suspensions. If your account is suspended, a well-crafted Plan of Action (POA) addressing the root cause, immediate corrective actions, and preventive measures can significantly increase your chances of reinstatement. By maintaining clear supplier agreements, regularly auditing shipments, training your team, and using services like Amazon’s Multi-Channel Fulfillment, you can ensure compliance and keep your account in good standing.

Additional Resources for Amazon Sellers

For more detailed information, refer to the following:

• Amazon’s Dropshipping Policy
• Business Solutions Agreement (BSA)
• Intellectual Property Policy for Sellers
• Selling Policies and Seller Code of Conduct

By staying informed and proactive, you can successfully navigate Amazon’s policies and maintain a healthy, active seller account.

Act Now!

If you find yourself struggling with account suspensions or need expert guidance on Amazon’s dropshipping policies, Aplus Global Ecommerce is here to help. We specialize in providing tailored solutions and expert advice to Amazon sellers, ensuring your business stays compliant and your account remains active.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Reach out to us today and let our experienced team assist you in resolving your account issues quickly and efficiently. Protect your business and keep your sales momentum going. Contact us now for a free consultation and take the first step towards safeguarding your Amazon seller account.