What’s changing in 2025—and why it matters

• Higher tariff exposure. Multiple 2025 actions elevate effective rates; some categories face steep increases (e.g., specific country/product lines). Independent estimates put average effective U.S. tariff rates at historic highs.
• De minimis tightening. The U.S. ended de minimis for many China-origin B2C consignments in 2025; broader suspension mechanics have been outlined by executive action, with implementation sequencing tied to customs processing systems. Result: low-value parcels may be dutiable and delayed.
• Carrier surcharges expand. UPS/FedEx peak demand and handling surcharges start late September and run into January; USPS surcharges begin in early October. Budget accordingly.
• Customer expectations climb. Shoppers want faster delivery, free/low-cost returns, and richer product info—pressure that intensifies in peak.

Action plan: How to protect your margins & your account

1) Diversify and “tariff-engineer” your supply chain

• Qualify alternate origins (e.g., India, Vietnam, Mexico) and evaluate landed cost scenarios with/without de minimis.
• Review HTS classifications with a trade advisor; misclassification can trigger penalties or delays during peak.
• Use near-shore staging to reduce parcel-level duties and improve speed.

2) Inventory & promise-date discipline

• Front-load critical SKUs before carrier cutoffs; model surcharge impact in your pricing.
• Split inventory (3P warehouses + FBA/FBM) to mitigate single-node risk and reroute during spikes.

3) Pricing, promotions & returns

• Scenario-test price ladders that absorb tariff and surcharge deltas while keeping Buy Box competitiveness.
• Offer clear, simple returns with QR/label-less options; set expectations early to avoid CS escalations.

4) CX: fast, free(ish), and trustworthy

Customers now expect a blend of speed, low cost, seamless returns, and credible product content—even more so during peak. Use proactive delivery comms, granular ETAs, and accurate PDP media to reduce WISMO and refunds.

Legal & policy pitfalls to avoid

• Country of origin accuracy: Tariff exposure hinges on COO; false COO risks account health and penalties.
• Claims & compliance: Be conservative with “duty-free” or “ships tax-free” language given de minimis changes.
• SLA promises: Align advertised delivery windows with surcharge periods and carrier cutoffs.

Related guides from AMZ Sellers Attorney®

• How 2025 Tariffs Impact Amazon Sellers • China Tariffs 2025: Sourcing Alternatives • Executive Orders, Tariffs & Supply

Sources & Further Reading

Carrier surcharge calendars and U.S. tariff/de minimis updates change frequently. Confirm specifics with your customs broker and current carrier rate tables.

Amazon Account Verification 2025: How to Pass & What to Do If You Fail

Amazon account verification is one of the most critical—and often most confusing—steps sellers face before being allowed to sell. Done correctly, it unlocks your business. Done incorrectly, it can stall your progress, suspend your account, or even shut you out of Amazon permanently. Here’s how to navigate this process step by step.

Why Amazon Account Verification Matters

Amazon verification ensures sellers are legitimate businesses or individuals. It protects customers, enforces compliance, and prevents fraud. Sellers must prove their identity, address, banking, and business legitimacy through official documentation. Mistakes, inconsistencies, or missing details often result in rejection.

Documents Amazon Requires

• Government-issued ID (passport or driver’s license, in color, valid, and matching your account).
• Bank statement / credit card statement (all pages, dated within 180 days, matching account details).
• Business license or registration (must exactly match company name and address provided).
• Utility bill or equivalent (showing full name, address, and recent issuance).

Tip: Even one small typo (e.g., “Acme Inc.” vs. “Acme Incorporated”) can cause rejection.

Common Reasons for Verification Failure

1. Mismatched company name or address across documents.
2. Expired or unclear government ID scans.
3. Submitting cropped or incomplete statements (must include all pages).
4. PO Box or mailbox addresses instead of physical locations.
5. Utility or phone bills rejected due to lack of matching details.

Video Verification Process

Amazon may require live video verification, where an Amazon associate checks your ID and face match. Sellers must be prepared with their ID, reliable internet, and good lighting. Failing this step can stall account approval indefinitely.

What to Do If Verification Fails

• Audit all documents line by line.
• Ensure every name, address, and number matches exactly.
• Resubmit only after resolving discrepancies.
• If rejected repeatedly, seek professional help to avoid account closure.

Conclusion

Amazon account verification can be challenging, but it is not impossible. Sellers who prepare documents carefully, ensure perfect consistency, and follow Amazon’s strict standards can pass successfully. If you fail, don’t repeat mistakes—seek legal assistance before Amazon shuts your account permanently.

Amazon Account Verification FAQ

Below are the most common questions sellers ask. Each is also structured for rich results and AI search.

How to Respond to Amazon Copyright Infringement Claims (2025 Guide)

Receiving a copyright infringement claim on Amazon can be alarming. Listings may be removed, sales halted, and your seller account placed at risk. This comprehensive guide from AMZ Sellers Attorney® explains how to respond to Amazon copyright infringement claims, dispute false takedowns, and protect your intellectual property rights.

What is Amazon Copyright Infringement?

Amazon defines copyright infringement as the unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, or sale of copyrighted works without the rights-holder’s permission. Examples include:

• Using copyrighted images, product descriptions, or logos without a license.
• Selling pirated or unauthorized eBooks, music, software, or digital files.
• Applying copyrighted artwork or designs on private-label products without consent.

Sellers found infringing may face listing removals, account suspensions, withheld funds, or even permanent termination.

Common Types of Copyright Infringement Claims on Amazon

Among the most frequent claims Amazon sellers encounter are:

• Unauthorized images — using stock photos or competitor’s images without permission.
• Copied text — product listings, titles, or A+ content copied from other sellers.
• Digital piracy — unauthorized sale of copyrighted digital media.

Steps to Respond to Amazon Copyright Infringement Claims

1. Review the claim: Carefully read the infringement notice in Seller Central.
2. Validate: Determine if the claim is legitimate or potentially false/abusive.
3. Gather evidence: Collect licenses, original design files, contracts, or proof of originality.
4. Prepare your response: Draft a clear, factual reply with attached documentation.
5. Submit via Seller Central: Use the appeal or contact link in the infringement notice.
6. Monitor status: Track the case, and respond promptly to Amazon follow-ups.
7. Consider a counter notice: If the claim is false under the DMCA, file a counter notice with proof of ownership.

Amazon UK’s New 90% OTDR Requirement for FBM Starts 16 September 2025

Amazon UK has announced a performance change: starting 16 September 2025, sellers who fulfil their own orders (FBM / Seller-Fulfilled) must maintain a minimum 90% On-time Delivery Rate (OTDR). If you ship without FBA, this rule directly affects your account health, Buy Box eligibility, and future enforcement risk.

What Is OTDR and Why It Matters

On-time Delivery Rate (OTDR) measures the percentage of your delivered orders that arrive by (or before) the buyer-facing promised date shown at checkout. It’s different from Late Shipment Rate (which looks at dispatch timing) and can penalise orders that were shipped on time but arrived late because of carrier delays or overly aggressive promises.

How to Calculate & Improve OTDR

1. Audit delivery promises. Check your current handling time, cut-off time, and the transit tables/services mapped to each ship option. Build in realistic buffers for remote postcodes and bank holidays.
2. Match service to promise. If you promise 1–2 business days, use services that actually scan and deliver in that window consistently (e.g., tracked 24/48 equivalents with reliable first scan).
3. Tune order cut-offs. Many sellers push a 2–3pm cut-off; move to noon if your pick/pack hand-off slips. Earlier cut-offs increase OTDR stability.
4. Weekend logic. Make sure Saturday/Sunday promises reflect your actual warehouse and carrier operations (collections, depots, and delivery availability).
5. Use tracked services with delivery scans. Tracked confirmation helps Amazon recognise on-time arrivals and reduces disputes.
6. Granular postcode rules. Apply slower promises to islands, Highlands, and remote postcodes; don’t let a single slow lane tank your whole metric.

Disruptions & Exceptions (What You Can Control)

Video: OTDR 90%—What UK FBM Sellers Need to Change Now

Appeals & Mitigation (If You’re Below 90%)

• Fix first, then appeal: Update promises, switch services, document carrier SLAs, and show improved week-over-week metrics.
• Evidence pack: Provide shipping template screenshots, carrier performance reports, and before/after delivery-promise settings.
• Plan of Action format: Root cause → Immediate corrections → Long-term prevention (with owners, dates, and KPIs).
• Messaging: Be factual and concise; avoid blaming buyers or Amazon—focus on controls you implemented.

FAQ (Tap to expand)

Walmart Account Deactivated? Here’s Exactly How to Get Reinstated

Walmart deactivated your seller account—now what? The marketplace expects a fact-driven, evidence-backed Plan of Action that fixes today’s issues and prevents tomorrow’s. Below is the attorney-supervised process we use to help sellers win reinstatement quickly and cleanly.

What “Account Deactivated” Means (and Why It Happens)

Deactivation removes your ability to sell until you address the cited issues. Walmart’s notice (email + Seller Center alert) typically includes a reason code. Common triggers:

Video: Walmart Reinstatement—What Your Plan of Action Must Include

The 4-Part Reinstatement Playbook

1. Diagnose the root cause. Quote the notice and map it to a specific policy or KPI miss. Pull 30–90 days of metrics (VTR, OTD, cancellations, returns) and SKU-level data.
2. Collect evidence. Carrier logs and scans, WFS/3PL reports, inventory receipts, catalog change logs, vendor agreements, staff training records, and screenshots of corrected listings.
3. Draft your Plan of Action (POA). Short, scannable, and numbered:
   • Root Cause: What failed and why (data-backed).
   • Immediate Corrections: What you fixed (dates, owners, proof).
   • Prevention: SOPs, SLAs, audits, tooling, and monitoring cadence.
4. Submit, track, and escalate. File via Seller Center case. If denied, refine with new evidence; do not spam duplicates. Escalate once you’ve closed every gap the reviewer flagged.

Evidence Checklist (What Reviewers Expect to See)

Performance Standards (Targets to Clear Before You Appeal)

• Valid Tracking Rate (VTR): ≥ 99% (14-day).
• On-Time Delivery (OTD): ≥ 95% (14-day).
• Cancellation Rate: ≤ 2% (14-day).
• Returns: Keep well below ~6% (90-day) and analyze reasons.

Writing a Walmart Appeal That Works (Formatting Tips)

Related Resources

• Walmart Seller Suspension & Reinstatement Guide (2025)
• Walmart Appeals (Services & Process)

FAQ (Quick Answers)

Tap a question to expand. Each answer also has its own structured snippet for rich results.

On the Corner of IP & Amazon — For Amazon Sellers Who Want to Stay in Business. Click here to learn more.

A Seller’s Guide to Understanding Amazon’s “Used” Conditions (Books & Media)

Whether you’re hunting for a bargain read or listing your pre-owned inventory, mastering Amazon’s Used conditions helps you avoid returns, A-to-Z claims, and account health trouble. Below we translate “Like New,” “Very Good,” “Good,” and “Acceptable” into real-world examples and show exactly how to write condition notes that customers understand—and Amazon approves.

Amazon’s Used Conditions—Plain-English Breakdown

Buyer Checklist (Avoid Surprises)

• Read the note: Look for defects, prior-owner marks, and accessory status.
• Scan photos: Dust jacket, spine, corners, and any annotations.
• Check seller profile: Ratings and recent feedback for accuracy signals.

Seller Checklist (Reduce Returns & ODR)

• Disclose defects up front: Writing, stamps, remainder marks, odors, foxing, loose binding, water exposure.
• Note supplementals: “Access code unused/included,” or “CD missing.”
• Photograph issues: Front/back cover, spine, title page, worst defects.
• Use standardized wording: Stay consistent across listings.

Video: How to Appeal Amazon ODR Suspension

Compliance, Claims & Account Health

Misgrading used items creates customer disappointment that can escalate into returns, A-to-Z claims, or negative feedback—each affects your Order Defect Rate. Keep your ODR low by: (1) shipping quickly in protective packaging; (2) confirming condition accuracy; (3) proactively messaging buyers when issues arise.

More Condition Guidance

• Decoding Amazon’s Condition Guidelines (Overview & Compliance Help)
• Order Defect Rate (ODR) Suspensions—Causes & Appeals

FAQ (Quick Answers)

Click a question to expand. Each answer is also included as its own structured snippet for rich results.

Amazon KDP 2025: The Complete Self-Publishing Guide (Royalties, KDP Select, Ads, Niches & Appeals)

Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) lets authors self-publish eBooks and paperbacks to Amazon’s global audience—no upfront inventory, full rights retained, Prime-printed paperbacks, and a clear royalty model. This guide walks you through setup, formatting, pricing, KDP Select / Kindle Unlimited, advertising, niche research, and compliance. We also cover what to do if your KDP or ACX account is suspended or terminated.

What is Kindle Direct Publishing?

Amazon KDP is a self-publishing platform for eBooks and paperbacks. You control rights, pricing, and distribution; Amazon provides the listing, Prime-eligible print-on-demand for paperbacks, and a royalty-share model. With one dashboard, you can publish multiple pen names across genres and marketplaces.

Video: How KDP Works (Quick Walkthrough)

KDP Royalties (eBooks & Paperbacks)

KDP Select & Kindle Unlimited

• Exclusivity: Enroll eBooks for 90 days; cannot sell digitally elsewhere during enrollment.
• Benefits: Page-read royalties via Kindle Unlimited, Kindle Countdown Deals, Free Book Promotions, and 70% eligibility in select regions.
• Trade-offs: KU payouts per page read may be lower than list-price royalties; weigh exposure vs. exclusivity.

Opening a KDP Account (Quick Start)

1. Create/sign in to your Amazon account; add tax + payment details and verify identity.
2. Click Create a New Title → choose Kindle eBook or Paperback.
3. Enter metadata (title, subtitle, author name(s), series, keywords, categories).
4. Upload manuscript + cover; run the previewer; fix formatting issues (TOC, page breaks, image compression).
5. Select territories, royalty plan, and pricing; decide on KDP Select.
6. Submit for review; most titles publish after approval.

Formatting & Quality Checklist

Advertising & Growth

• Amazon Ads: Start with keyword-targeted Sponsored Products; add product targeting to appear on comparable titles.
• Backlist strategy: Series sell series—link books in the series metadata; include end-matter CTAs.
• Reviews & social proof: Follow Amazon’s review policies; do not incentivize. Use newsletters and reader magnets to build an audience.
• Localization: Translate top performers; price to local expectations.

Finding Niches (Without Paid Tools)

• Search Amazon for high-level terms (e.g., “cozy mystery”, “mindset workbook”, “coloring for adults”). Note autocomplete expansions.
• Open top results; analyze titles, subcategories, covers, and “Customers also bought”.
• Validate demand with consistent sales ranks across multiple titles; avoid saturated clones—differentiate with sub-niche angles.

Compliance & Risk (Protect Your Catalog)

• Content: Follow KDP guidelines on objectionable content, metadata accuracy, and category choice.
• IP: Use original or properly licensed content. Document your licenses and creation process.
• Duplicates & spam: Avoid near-dupe uploads, keyword stuffing, or misleading metadata.

FAQ (Quick Answers)

Below are the most-asked KDP questions. Each answer is also marked up as its own structured snippet for rich results.

Amazon Merch on Demand (2025): The Complete Beginner’s Guide + Pro Tips

Amazon Merch on Demand (formerly “Merch by Amazon”) lets you sell designs on apparel and accessories with no inventory risk—Amazon prints, ships, and provides customer service. This guide covers how it works, royalties and tiers, design specs, compliance, and advanced growth tactics. You’ll also find a comprehensive FAQ and legal resources if your account is ever terminated.

How Amazon Merch on Demand Works

Apply for a Merch account, upload compliant designs, select products, and submit. When a customer orders, Amazon prints on demand, ships with Prime, handles returns, and pays you a royalty per sale. You avoid upfront inventory costs, warehousing, and fulfillment complexity.

Benefits

• No inventory risk: Products are printed only after purchase.
• Prime eligibility: Fast delivery improves conversion.
• Massive reach: Your designs can be listed across multiple Amazon marketplaces.
• Simple ops: Amazon handles fulfillment, CS, returns, and exchanges.

Earnings, Pricing, and Tiers

Video: Amazon Merch on Demand — Quick Walkthrough

Sign-Up: What You’ll Need

1. Amazon account (individual or business), government ID, payment + tax info.
2. Basic brand profile and contact details.
3. Agreement to Merch content and IP policies.

After submission, approval timelines vary. Don’t send duplicate tickets while waiting; use the time to prepare compliant artwork.

Create Your First Product

Compliance & IP (Don’t Skip This)

• Content policy: Avoid objectionable or restricted themes.
• Trademarks & copyrights: Use original art, licensed assets, or public-domain content you’re allowed to commercialize.
• Quality & accuracy: Your mockups and descriptions must reflect the output customers receive.

If your account is terminated for content/IP or other policy issues, get legal guidance before you file repeat appeals. Start here: Merch Termination Appeals.

Pro Tips to Grow

• Niche targeting: Create collections for subcultures and hobbies rather than broad generic themes.
• Calendar & trend planning: Launch early for seasonal events; avoid infringements on trending phrases.
• Data hygiene: Retire low sellers to free submissions for new ideas; iterate on top performers with colorways/variants.
• Off-Amazon promotion: Social channels, email, and communities accelerate velocity that can improve organic rank.

How to Win an Amazon Appeal (Attorney-Supervised Guide)

Suspended, terminated, or hit with a disbursement hold? This expanded guide shows you how to win an Amazon appeal and how to appeal a withheld payout. You’ll get a practical Plan of Action (POA) framework, timelines, escalation tactics, and a deep FAQ optimized for AI/voice search and rich results.

Video: 60-Second Primer — Winning Your Amazon Appeal

The Amazon Appeal Process (What to Expect)

The process starts when Amazon notifies you of an issue (account suspension, listing removal, chargeback on compliance, or disbursement hold). Act quickly—Amazon often expects a response within a specific timeframe (frequently cited as 17 days for many notices). Your first submission is the most important; aim for complete, credible documentation.

1. Read the notice carefully. Identify the exact policy or performance trigger and every example Amazon cites.
2. Draft a professional appeal letter (POA). Be concise yet thorough. Explain what went wrong, what you fixed, and how you’ll prevent recurrence.
3. Submit and monitor. Typical responses can come within ~48 hours, but complex cases may take longer. Follow up if you don’t hear back in a reasonable period—avoid spamming duplicate appeals.

Video: Attorney Tips for a Strong POA

Expert Strategies to Win Your Appeal

Video: What Amazon Wants to See in a Plan of Action

Deactivation vs. Suspension: What is the Difference?

Deactivation is more severe than a routine suspension. Review the deactivation notice line by line and address each point. Acknowledge errors where they exist, be transparent, and show system-level prevention. If the first appeal is denied, don’t lose hope—iterate with stronger evidence, and consider legal escalation routes when appropriate.

Disbursement Holds: How to Appeal and Release Your Funds

Amazon may withhold payouts due to spikes in returns, negative feedback, suspected policy violations, or unusual sales patterns. “Disbursement” refers to funds released from Amazon’s reserve into your bank account. You can view status in the Payments page → Disbursements tab.

Write a Persuasive Appeal Email

Use a clear subject (e.g., “Appeal for Account Suspension — [Seller ID]”). In the body: introduce your business, state the issue, attach your POA, and list the evidence. Keep the tone professional, solution-oriented, and focused on customer experience.

Related Reading

• How to Win an Amazon Appeal (original)
• Amazon Account Suspended — Definitive 2025 Guide