Amazon Updates Mediation Policy With New Timelines for Listing and Account Deactivations
Amazon’s mediation policy now enforces a 180‑day appeal deadline and a subsequent 180‑day window to request mediation, plus a 12‑month active‑listing rule. Appeals must be filed through the Account Health dashboard within six months of a deactivation, and mediation requests must be lodged within six months of the appeal decision.
Overview
Amazon has overhauled its mediation framework for sellers whose listings are removed or whose accounts are suspended. Effective immediately, the platform imposes strict deadlines for filing appeals and requesting mediation, replacing the previously ambiguous timelines. Sellers must adapt quickly to these new windows or risk losing the ability to contest enforcement actions.
Key Points
- Six‑month appeal deadline — Sellers must lodge an appeal via the Account Health dashboard within 180 days of a listing removal or account suspension.
- Six‑month mediation deadline — After Amazon delivers its appeal decision, sellers have another 180‑day period to submit a formal mediation request.
- 12‑month activity rule — To qualify for mediation, a seller must have at least one active listing in any Amazon marketplace during the 12 months preceding the mediation request.
- Implicit acceptance – Continuing to sell on Amazon after the policy’s effective date is treated as agreement to the new timelines.
- Global applicability – The revised rules apply to every Amazon seller worldwide, regardless of marketplace or product category.
How the New Mediation Process Works
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File the initial appeal — Log into the Account Health dashboard and submit an appeal within six months of the deactivation notice.
- Example: A seller whose product listing was removed on March 1 must submit an appeal by August 28 to stay eligible.
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Await Amazon’s decision — Amazon reviews the appeal and issues a ruling, which may be a full reinstatement, partial reinstatement, or denial.
- Example: The appeal above is denied on April 15, triggering the next deadline.
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Request mediation — If the seller disagrees with the decision, they must file a mediation request within the subsequent six‑month window.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
Missing the 180‑day appeal or mediation windows eliminates a seller’s right to challenge a removal, potentially leading to permanent loss of listings. The 12‑month activity rule forces sellers to maintain at least one live product in any marketplace, changing inventory and compliance planning.
Key Takeaways
- Appeal must be submitted via the Account Health dashboard within 180 days of a listing removal or account suspension.
- Mediation request must be filed within 180 days after Amazon issues its appeal decision.
- Seller must have at least one active listing in any Amazon marketplace during the 12 months preceding the mediation request.
- The new timelines apply globally to all Amazon sellers; continued selling after the policy date is considered acceptance.
Recommended Actions
- →Set calendar alerts in Seller Central > Account Health for the appeal deadline (180 days from deactivation) and mediation deadline (180 days from d...
- →Ensure at least one product remains listed in any marketplace for the past 12 months; if needed, create a low‑volume listing now.
- →Create a “Mediation” folder in your cloud storage and save all deactivation notices, appeal confirmations, and decision emails, linking it from Sel...
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