Introduction
When the banner appears in Account Health that says your seller account is under review, time starts to move very fast. Orders stall, disbursements may freeze, and support messages arrive with new requests. You need a clear Amazon account under the review plan so you can protect cash flow and keep your catalog alive. In this guide, you will learn what “under review” really means, how to diagnose the trigger, and how to respond with a plan that speeds Amazon account reinstatement while reducing future risk.
This article is written for experienced Amazon sellers who already know the basics. You will find practical checklists, appeal frameworks, and escalation paths. You will also find links to trusted sources so you can verify rules and back your appeal with credible references.
What “Under Review” Means On Amazon
An “under review” status is not the same as a full suspension, yet it can lead there if you wait or guess. In most cases, Amazon is assessing specific risk signals. These can include identity verification, performance metrics, restricted product flags, or policy violations. During this period, Amazon may limit listing edits, withhold funds, or pause ads. You may also see requests for invoices, safety documents, or proof of supply.
Start with the Performance Notifications and Account Health dashboard. Confirm exactly which policy or metric triggered the review. Amazon describes account health and the Account Health Rating on its help pages. See the official pages for Account Health and the Seller Code of Conduct for a baseline.
Quick Triage: Build Your Amazon Account Under Review Plan
This section gives you a simple flow you can follow in the first hour. The goal is to stabilize operations and collect the data you will need for your appeal.
Capture the notices
Download every Performance Notification and save the PDFs. Screenshot key dashboard states with timestamps.Map the trigger
Label the review as performance, policy, identity, linked accounts, intellectual property, safety, pricing, or restricted products.Secure orders and comms
Reply to open buyer messages within 24 hours. Refund or reship any at-risk orders to reduce the Order Defect Rate. Keep messages factual and brief.Freeze risky activities
Pause ads on contested ASINs. Halt inbound FBA for flagged items. Avoid listing edits until you understand the risk.Start your document pack
Create a folder for invoices, authorization letters, safety test reports, certifications, brand agreements, and logistics proofs.
A calm start helps the rest of the process. Your Amazon account under the review plan will use the data you collect here.
Diagnose The Review Type Before You Write
Different review types demand different evidence. Use this diagnostic to pick the right response.
Identity and Verification Reviews
Amazon may ask for government ID, bank statements, or proof of address. Ensure the names and addresses match across every document. Mismatched data creates delays. If you are using a corporate entity, include company registration and tax records.
Performance and Account Health Reviews
The common drivers are Order Defect Rate, Late Shipment Rate, Cancellation Rate, and Valid Tracking Rate. Pull the last 60 to 90 days of data and write a summary that shows trends and fixes you have already put in place. Amazon explains performance requirements in detail within the Account Health help pages.
Policy and Restricted Product Reviews
Some items require safety reports, certifications, or regulatory clearance. Children’s products often need CPSC compliance documents. Cosmetics, medical devices, and supplements may fall under FDA rules. Pesticides and treated articles may fall under EPA rules. Review Amazon policy and the relevant agency sites: the FDA compliance hub and the EPA pesticide registration pages.
Intellectual Property And Brand Registry Issues
These arrive as IP complaints from rights owners. You will need invoices, authorization letters, and sometimes a signed retraction. For the policy baseline, see Amazon’s Intellectual Property Policy.
Linked Accounts And Related Entity Reviews
Shared devices, payment instruments, or addresses can trigger a link. List each factor that proves you operate separately from any other seller. Separate IP addresses, bank accounts, legal entities, and inventory flows matter.
Gather A Bulletproof Document Pack
A strong document pack speeds review outcomes. Organize your files with clear names and clean scans. Avoid cropped edges or blurred text.
Supply chain proof: Invoices from the last 365 days, business name matches, supplier contact details, and delivery proofs.
Safety and regulatory: Certificates of Conformity, test reports, COAs, GMP letters, FDA listing screenshots, EPA registration labels if relevant.
Brand and IP: Authorization letters, distribution agreements, Brand Registry roles, and ticket history with rights owners.
Operations: SOPs for order handling, return inspection, WMS screenshots that show process control, and staffing rosters if performance is in scope.
Identity: Government ID, corporate documents, bank statements, and utility bills that match the legal entity on file.
Include only what supports the specific review. Extra pages that do not help can slow the investigator.
Write A Clear Plan Of Action That Answers The Why
A solid Plan of Action shows you understand the issue, fixed it, and will prevent it in the future. Keep it short, specific, and testable. Avoid emotion and blame. Use this three-part structure.
Root Cause
Explain what failed and why it failed. Use data, not general statements. Example: “Order Defect Rate rose to 2.1 percent in week 27 due to a carrier shift, packaging that did not protect glass items, and a spike in defect reports on ASIN B0XXXXXX.”
Immediate Corrective Actions
List what you have already done. Example: “Switched all glass items to double wall boxes, added shock indicators, moved ninety percent of orders back to Carrier A, refunded or reshipped twenty affected orders, and sent proactive messages to buyers who reported breakage.”
Preventive Measures
Describe changes that will stick. Example: “New packaging SOP with photo sign off, weekly ODR review every Monday, carrier audits, and a prelaunch compliance checklist for regulated items.” Give dates and owners.
Your Amazon account under the review plan lives inside this framework. The clearer your implementation steps, the faster your result.
Use Data And Screenshots To Support Each Claim
Investigators look for proof. Include clear screenshots with dates. Add simple captions. Show before and after data for defect rates, handling time, and stockouts. When you cite a policy, link to the primary source. Use Amazon help pages and agency sites. Credible references boost trust without adding fluff.
Amazon Account Under Review Plan In Five Steps
This section puts the full process in one place so you can move fast.
Confirm the trigger
Read the Performance Notification. Recheck Account Health. Name the policy and metric.Assemble the document pack
Invoices, authorizations, safety certificates, identity proofs, and process SOPs.Draft the Plan of Action
Root cause, corrective actions, preventive measures. One to two pages is enough.Submit a clean appeal
Use Seller Central, select the correct issue type, attach only helpful files, and write a short cover note.Follow up within service levels
If no response after the stated window, call the Account Health team. Be polite, be precise, and reference ticket IDs.
This five-step Amazon account under review plan keeps focus on outcomes. It also reduces back and forth.
Amazon Account Under Review Plan For Identity Checks
Identity reviews require exact matches across documents. Compare the business name, address, and owners on every file. If you changed entities, state the date and provide proof. Include bank letters and a recent statement. If you sell from multiple countries, clarify where the business is incorporated and where operations occur. A short timeline helps. Keep scans in color and avoid glare.
Avoid These Common Appeal Mistakes
Writing a long narrative without specific fixes.
Reusing a generic appeal template with no data.
Uploading invoices that do not match your legal name or timeline.
Sending incomplete safety documents.
Citing blogs instead of primary sources.
Editing listings while the review is still open.
Small errors create big delays. Take one hour to prepare, then submit a neat package once.
Performance Reviews: Fix The Metrics That Matter
Your story must match numbers that Amazon can see. Use these levers.
Order Defect Rate: Reduce return reasons linked to product quality. Improve packaging. Add better photos and sizing charts.
Late Shipment Rate: Increase handling buffers by one day until your on-time rate stabilizes.
Cancellation Rate: Reconcile inventory daily. Link stock to listings with alerts for low levels.
Valid Tracking Rate: Ship with carriers that scan early. Audit label creation for scan time.
Combine operational fixes with clear communication. Buyers forgive issues when you respond fast with a useful resolution.
Policy Reviews: Prove Safety And Compliance
If your review relates to restricted products, align your proof with the correct regulator.
FDA categories include food, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and some devices. Study the FDA compliance pages for labeling, facility registration, and claim rules.
EPA applies to pesticides and treated articles. The EPA registration overview explains what requires approval and how labels must appear.
CPSC oversees many consumer goods and children’s products. Their site details test standards and Certificates of Conformity.
Put authentic documents in your pack. If a supplier is not cooperative, consider replacing the item rather than arguing. Safety wins.
IP Reviews: Work Toward Retraction Or Proof Of Rights
For trademark, copyright, and patent complaints, you have two tracks. First, contact the rights owner with polite evidence. Ask for a retraction if you sold genuine goods or used content with permission. Second, submit your Plan of Action with invoices and brand letters. For policy background, see Amazon’s Intellectual Property Policy. If a complaint is abusive, document the facts and keep your tone calm. Retaliation harms your case.
Linked Account Reviews: Prove You Operate Separately
Prepare a side-by-side chart that shows distinct legal entities, bank accounts, computers, IP addresses, and fulfillment sites. If a contractor served two stores in the past, state that the relationship ended and provide dates. If you took over a storefront, provide the transfer agreement. Keep your narrative simple and factual.
Craft Messaging That Helps Investigators Say Yes
Open with one sentence that states the issue.
Provide the Plan of Action in three short sections.
Attach only relevant files with clear names.
Close with a sentence that offers to provide additional documents upon request.
Clarity helps the investigator verify your case quickly. Polite tone helps too.
Escalation Paths That Respect The Process
If you do not see movement after the usual window, call the Account Health team and ask for a review status check. Be ready with ticket IDs and a one-sentence summary. If your case involves a safety risk or large buyer harm, Amazon will often prioritize it. For IP disputes and complex policy issues, consider help from an Amazon Seller Lawyer or Amazon Seller Attorney who knows the platform process and arbitration rules. If your listings are down and revenue is at risk, you may need focused help to reach Amazon account reinstatement.
If you need professional support, do you need help? Submit your case now!
After Reinstatement: Keep Your Account Healthy
Winning the review is the start. Build habits that prevent repeat issues.
Hold a weekly account health meeting.
Track ODR and late shipment trends with early alerts.
Run a prelaunch checklist for every new ASIN.
Keep a library of safety and compliance documents by category.
Reconcile supplier invoices and brand letters every month.
Save every Performance Notification with outcomes and dates.
These simple rhythms move you from reactive to proactive.
Templates You Can Adapt Today
Use these short patterns to write faster. Edit them to match your facts.
Root Cause example
“On July 8, our Late Shipment Rate rose to 6 percent. The cause was a carrier pickup failure during a regional storm and a gap in our backup process for delayed pickups.”
Corrective Actions example
“We refunded or reshipped twenty-seven orders within twenty-four hours. We moved all orders for the affected zip codes to Carrier B. We added a daily 3 p.m. pickup confirmation call to the carrier depot.”
Preventive Measures example
“We created a carrier backup SOP with owner names. We added storm alerts to the shipping dashboard. We will review on time rate every Monday and switch carriers when the rate falls below 97 percent.”
Key Tools You Will Use During An Amazon Account Under Review Plan
Account Health: a central place for metrics and policy flags.
Performance Notifications: a record of official messages.
Policy pages: primary language for rules to cite in appeals.
Brand Registry and IP tools: where you manage brand rights and contact rights owners.
Cases and Callbacks: where you track appeal tickets and talk to the Account Health team.
Build A Reusable Amazon Account Under Review Plan Binder
Create a folder that contains your standard Plan of Action template, identity files, supplier proofs, safety certificates, and common screenshots. Update it monthly. Your team can then submit a clean appeal within hours, not days. Speed with quality is your advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between under review and suspended
Under review means Amazon is still assessing risk. Suspended means you lost selling privileges on part or all of your catalog. Treat the under review as an early chance to fix the issue before a full suspension.
How long does an under review status last
It varies by case and region. Simple identity checks may resolve within a few days. Policy and IP reviews can take longer. Follow the timeline in your Performance Notification and check Account Health daily.
Can I edit listings during a review?
You can, yet you should avoid changes on flagged ASINs until you submit your appeal. Edit only if the change removes obvious risk, such as a claim that should not be on the page.
What if my supplier refuses to give documents
Consider switching items or suppliers. Amazon rarely accepts appeals without authentic documents. Your proof must connect your inventory to a compliant source.
Do I need a lawyer to write a Plan of Action?
Many sellers write their own. Complex policy, IP, or linked account cases benefit from legal help. An Amazon Seller Lawyer or Amazon Seller Attorney can improve structure, evidence, and escalation.
What helps most with Amazon account reinstatement after a review
Clear root cause, documented corrective actions, and preventive measures with owners and dates. Back every claim with data or files. Be brief and precise.
Conclusion: Act Fast, Stay Precise, Win Your Case
An “under review” notice is stressful, yet it is also an early warning that you can turn into a quick win. Build your Amazon account under the review plan in the first hour. Diagnose the trigger, assemble your document pack, and write a short Plan of Action with facts that Amazon can verify. Escalate with respect for the process. Then build routines that prevent repeat issues.
If you need help with a tough case or a fast appeal, do you need help? Submit your case now!. The right plan protects your listings, your ratings, and your cash flow.
