Quick answer. Attach only the documents that prove the points Amazon raised, for every ASIN listed at the bottom of the notification. For supplier invoices, Amazon says the file must be a PDF or an image (.jpg, .png or .gif) no larger than 10MB, dated within the 365 days before the notification, for a completed transaction, and authentic and unaltered. Amazon rejects quotes, pro forma and self-issued invoices, editable Excel or Word files, manipulated files, and anything illegible or inconsistent. You may highlight the relevant ASIN or supplier name and remove pricing. Name and order each file so a reviewer knows what it proves, and lead with an index that ties each file to a claim.

Most sellers polish the wording of the appeal and then attach whatever they can find. A folder of invoices, phone photos, a screenshot of the order page, a spreadsheet exported last night. The reviewer finds files that do not match the ASINs, dates outside the window, and a file called “scan0042.pdf” that proves nothing obvious. The appeal is denied, and the seller blames the writing.

Appeals fail on evidence far more often than on wording, because a reviewer is trained to check, not to be persuaded. The plan of action itself is covered in our guides to writing a plan of action that will not be ignored and the right way to appeal a suspended account.

Where attachments go in an Amazon appeal

Every attachment travels through Account Health in Seller Central. Amazon’s page on appealing a deactivation says to go to Account Health, click Reactivate your account, and follow the instructions. You may be asked to submit a questionnaire, acknowledge a violation, complete a quiz, or provide supporting documents. For a single violation, Amazon’s questionnaire page says you reach the appeal by selecting the violation on the Account Health dashboard. For a removed listing, Amazon points to the Product Policy Compliance tab, inactive listings in Manage Inventory, and your Performance Notifications.

Uploads must go through Seller Central

Amazon’s invoice requirements page says supplier invoices sent by email or third-party sharing will not be accepted and must be submitted directly through Seller Central. A shared drive link or an email reply does not count. Upload anything that matters on the appeal page.

When Amazon asks for more

Amazon’s deactivation appeal page says that if a response asks for more information, you click View Appeal from Account Health to submit the additional documentation and information in your next submission. It also says to expect a reply within two days, which is Amazon’s stated expectation, not a guarantee. Our guide on how long an Amazon appeal takes covers timing.

Make every submission complete on its own, with its own index and every file it relies on, because the next reviewer may not reread your first.

Which documents to attach for which kind of case

The evidence must fit the alleged risk. Attaching everything you own forces the reviewer to work out your defense and signals that you do not know which evidence matters. List each concern and each ASIN the notification names, then attach the records that answer them.

Sourcing and authenticity cases

When Amazon questions where your products came from, supplier invoices are the core evidence. Amazon’s invoice page says invoices are required to verify that sellers source from legitimate suppliers. Supporting records can include a distribution agreement or authorization from the brand owner, but only if it is genuine, specific to your business and the products, and issued by someone with authority to grant it. Our guide to keeping pace with Amazon’s invoice requirements covers invoice content, and why Amazon does not accept receipts explains the retail arbitrage problem.

Product condition and customer complaint cases

For condition complaints, Amazon’s policy violation appeals FAQ names images of updated training materials, packaging, or quality checks as proof of corrective or preventive action. If you believe a complaint was raised in error, Amazon suggests screenshots of the product description that already covered the issue, or a screenshot of the product manual. If you suspect FBA handling caused the problem, Amazon recommends a bin check on the same ASIN and SKU and including the case ID from the completed bin check in your appeal.

Verification and other cases

Verification cases turn on business registration, identity, bank or utility records that match each other and the account. Restricted product cases need proof of compliance. Amazon’s Restricted Products guidance also asks what caused the violation, the reactive steps taken, and the proactive steps that prevent recurrence. For every case type, the test is whether a third party could examine the record and find that it says what you claim.

Accepted file types and size limits, as Amazon states them

Amazon’s invoice requirements page gives the clearest published standard. PDF (.pdf) or image (.jpg, .png, or .gif) format, no larger than 10MB, and nothing digitally manipulated or in an editable format such as .xlsx (Excel) or .docx (Word). That standard is stated for invoices. For other documents, the upload screen on your appeal page shows what it accepts, and the invoice standard is the safe default. Amazon’s invoice FAQ adds that invoices do not have to be in English.

Amazon does not publish a limit on the number of files per appeal. If the upload form sets one, follow it.

Getting a file under 10MB without changing it

A high-resolution scan can exceed 10MB. The honest fixes change the size, not the content. Put one invoice per file instead of a year in one scan, rescan at a resolution that is still clearly legible, or use the supplier’s native PDF, which is usually far smaller. Do not crop out lines or retype a document into a new template. Amazon says documents must be authentic and unaltered, and a file that looks rebuilt invites the doubt you are trying to remove.

Why PDF is usually the best choice

PDF keeps a multi-page document together and opens the same way on any device. The Library of Congress describes the PDF/A family as intended for long-term preservation, with all fonts embedded and no external dependencies. You do not need PDF/A for an appeal, but a self-contained file looks the same to the reviewer as it does to you. A spreadsheet you built is never the evidence. If a reconciliation helps, export it to PDF as a labelled summary that points to the source documents.

For a closely related case, read Amazon Seller Challenge.

What reviewers reject, and why

Invoice rejections Amazon lists

Amazon’s invoice requirements page lists what it will not accept. Invoices sent by email or third-party sharing. Sales quotes, pro forma invoices, or anything sent before a completed transaction. Self-issued invoices or invoices where the supplier appears to be the same entity as the buyer. Digitally manipulated or editable files. Invoices that are illegible, low resolution, inconsistent, or missing required details. Amazon adds that it may reject invoices that do not meet its requirements or that it otherwise evaluates as inauthentic or inaccurate, and that the reasons will be identified in your Performance Notifications.

Evidence rejections for policy compliance appeals

Amazon’s policy violation appeals FAQ lists three items it will not accept for the policy compliance violations it covers. A plan of action, images of the inventory or order details page as evidence, and a bin check case that is still under review. The first surprises sellers who attach a plan of action by habit. Where Amazon asks you to choose an option and attach evidence, send evidence.

Rejections that come from the pack, not the file

A pack is weak when it covers only some ASINs, when names differ between documents, when dates fall outside the window, or when quantities do not reconcile with sales. Amazon’s questionnaire page asks for evidence for all products under review, listed at the bottom of the original notification. Irrelevant files hurt too, because each one costs the reviewer time.

What a supplier invoice must show

Check each invoice against Amazon’s published list before upload. Amazon says invoices must include the supplier’s contact information (name, phone number, address and website), and notes that Amazon will not share this with its retail team or other sellers.

Transaction details

Amazon asks for a clearly displayed issue date within the past 365 days before receipt of the performance notification, a quantity sufficient to cover your sales volumes and in-stock inventory for each ASIN cited over the past 365 days, and sales records for each ASIN associated with the violation. If an invoice shows multiple items, you may highlight the relevant product. The invoice must document a completed and fulfilled transaction, and there may be additional regional requirements, such as state or province tax information, which Amazon provides to sellers by email.

Product information

Amazon asks for clear product identifiers, meaning product names, model numbers, or universal identifiers such as UPC, EAN or ISBN. For variations, the invoice should show the version, color or style matching your listing. For bundles, all individual components in your listing should be listed.

A worked reconciliation

Take a hypothetical seller who receives an authenticity notification on 1 June naming two ASINs. In the previous 365 days the seller sold 1,140 units of ASIN A and 310 of ASIN B, and holds 260 units of A and 40 of B in stock. To cover both, invoices dated between the prior 2 June and 1 June need to show at least 1,400 units of A and 350 of B. The seller has three invoices from the distributor. 600 units of A in August, 900 units of A and 400 of B in January, and an older invoice from the previous spring. The first two cover the need (1,500 of A, 400 of B). The old invoice falls outside the window and adds nothing, so it stays out of the pack.

How to name your attachment files

A reviewer sees file names before opening anything. “IMG_2231.jpg” tells them nothing. A name that states its number, type, issuer, date and ASINs turns your upload list into a second index.

A naming pattern that works

Use a two-digit number that matches your index, then the document type, the issuer, the issue date in year-month-day order, and the ASIN or a short product reference. Hypothetical examples are “01_Invoice_NorthfieldDistribution_2026-01-14_ASIN-A-B.pdf”, “02_Invoice_NorthfieldDistribution_2025-08-03_ASIN-A.pdf”, “05_SupplierContact_NorthfieldDistribution.pdf” and “08_PackagingPhoto_NewInsert_2026-05-20_ASIN-A.jpg”. Year-month-day sorts correctly, and the number keeps your intended order even if the upload screen sorts alphabetically.

Naming rules to keep

• Keep names short, using letters, numbers, hyphens and underscores.
• Name the issuer as it appears on the document, not your nickname for them.
• Never put a claim in a file name that the file does not prove, such as “Authorized” on a document that is only an invoice.
• Use the same name in your index, appeal text and records.

How to order the documents in your pack

A reviewer works through four questions in turn. What am I looking at, does it answer the concern, can I trust it, and has the seller fixed the cause. Order the pack to answer in that sequence.

1. The index. One page listing every file, what it proves, the ASINs it covers and where to look.
2. Decisive evidence. The documents that directly answer the notification, such as invoices covering each ASIN or a completed bin check case ID.
3. Corroboration. Records that make the decisive evidence checkable, such as supplier contact details or a brand authorization.
4. Proof of corrective and preventive action. Images and records showing what changed and when, such as updated packaging, quality check records or training materials.

Within each group, order by ASIN in the sequence the notification lists them, then by date, so the reviewer can tick through their own list.

How to annotate documents without altering them

Amazon’s appeal questionnaire page encourages annotation. It says you can make your response more relevant by circling or highlighting the most important area within your documents, such as ASINs, supplier name, or supplier clauses. Amazon’s invoice page adds that if an invoice shows multiple items, you may highlight the relevant product.

The line between annotation and alteration

Annotation points at what is already there. Alteration changes what the document says. A highlight over an ASIN line or a circle around a supplier’s address is annotation. Changing a date, quantity, name, description or total is alteration, whatever the reason, and so is deleting lines, replacing a header, or merging two documents. Amazon says any document you provide must be authentic and unaltered and that it may contact the supplier to verify it.

Removing prices

Amazon says you can remove pricing information from invoices as long as all other information is visible and clear. Use a solid redaction box over the price and total columns only, so the reviewer can still read every product line, quantity, date, and the supplier and buyer details. Over-redaction makes an invoice look edited and defeats the point of sending it.

Keep two versions

Keep the clean original exactly as received and a separate annotated copy for upload, so you can produce the original at once if anything is questioned.

How to build an evidence pack index

The index is one page that sits first in your pack and tells the reviewer what each file is, what it proves and where to look. It also keeps the appeal honest. Every claim must point to an indexed record, and a claim that cannot is cut or supported before you submit.

What each row should hold

Each row holds the file number and name, the document type and issuer, the issue date, the ASINs covered, the page or line to look at, and the claim in your appeal it supports. Keep the claim column short and factual, as in “Covers 1,500 units of ASIN A, January and August” rather than “proves we are an authentic seller”.

The table above is hypothetical. Export your real index to PDF and upload it as file 00. If the appeal page offers a text field, add a one-line version of the index there.

How the index ties to the plan of action

Where your appeal includes a plan of action, every root cause, corrective step and preventive measure should cite an index number. Our plan of action guide explains those sections. Amazon’s questionnaire guidance asks for specific actions, dates of changes, or documentation, and the index is how they reach the reviewer.

How to verify every document before you upload it

The reviewer can check, so you check first. Amazon says it may reach out to the supplier to verify document information, and a single doubtful file can poison the credibility of everything else you sent.

Checks against your own account

Match the buyer name and address on each invoice to the business name and address on your Seller Central account, and the ASINs on your working list to the list at the bottom of the notification. Use your Seller Central sales and inventory reports to confirm that invoice quantities cover sales plus stock for each ASIN over the window Amazon names. If the numbers do not reconcile, find out why before you upload.

Checks against official records

Amazon’s invoice FAQ suggests verifying suppliers through official business documentation, physical presence, and web presence through government resources and business directories. In the United States, the National Association of Secretaries of State links to each state’s business registration pages and corporate name databases, where you can confirm a supplier’s legal name and status. Where a brand authorization matters, the USPTO’s Trademark Search system shows registered marks, and its Trademark Status and Document Retrieval and Assignment Center tools show status and recorded ownership changes. That confirms whether the party granting authorization has standing to grant it.

When a document cannot be obtained or is rejected

Sometimes the decisive document does not exist or the supplier will not provide it. That is a fact about the case, not a hole to be filled. Never create, edit or borrow a document to cover the gap. Amazon’s Seller Code of Conduct requires sellers to provide accurate information to Amazon at all times, and a single document found to be false can turn a recoverable case into one that cannot be recovered. Our guide to forged or manipulated documentation suspensions explains how severe that outcome is.

The honest options

When a genuine document is missing, obtain it from the real issuer, narrow the appeal to what genuine records prove (for example, stop selling and remove the ASINs you cannot support, and say so plainly), or accept that the case may not be winnable on that point and get advice before submitting anything. A smaller appeal that is fully true is stronger than a larger one with a weak file inside it.

Working through a rejection

If Amazon rejects an appeal that included invoices, its invoice page says to refer to your Performance Notifications, which identify why the invoices could not be accepted. Diagnose before you resubmit, because each reason has a different fix. An illegible file needs a better scan or the supplier’s native PDF. A quantity gap needs more genuine invoices or a narrower scope. A doubt about authenticity needs direct corroboration from the supplier, not a new version of the same document. Then submit through View Appeal with a fresh index that says what changed.

Common attachment mistakes we see

• Covering some ASINs but not all. A single uncovered ASIN leaves the concern open.
• Attaching a bin check before it is complete. Amazon says a case still under review will not be accepted. Wait for the result and cite the case ID.
• Over-redacting. Blacking out more than prices hides what Amazon needs to verify the transaction.
• Mismatched names. An invoice addressed to a trade name, a relative or a previous company does not tie to the account without supporting records.
• Writing before collecting. An appeal drafted first makes claims the evidence may not support. Build the verified pack, then write from it.

A routine that keeps you appeal-ready

Build the evidence pack before you need one. A seller who files every invoice by ASIN the day it arrives can answer a notification in an afternoon instead of chasing a year of paperwork against the clock.

The monthly habit

• Save every supplier invoice as the supplier’s native PDF, named with the pattern above, in a folder per supplier.
• Record supplier contact details and the registry check you did when you onboarded them.
• Once a month, reconcile invoiced units against units sold and in stock for your top ASINs, so a shortfall shows up early.
• When you change packaging, quality checks or training, photograph the change, date it and file it by ASIN.
• Keep the clean originals somewhere you do not edit.

How long to keep records

Amazon’s invoice window is 365 days, but tax rules alone call for longer record keeping. The IRS says purchases, sales and other business transactions generate supporting documents, and that generally you must keep records that support items on a tax return until the period of limitations for that return runs out, which the IRS describes as three years in the general case, with longer periods in specific situations. Keeping supplier records at least that long serves both purposes. Check the IRS guidance for the rules that apply to your business.

If your account is already deactivated and you need help assembling evidence, our Amazon suspension service works through the notification, the evidence map and the verification with you before anything is uploaded.

Frequently Asked Questions

What file types does Amazon accept for appeal invoices?

Amazon’s invoice requirements page says invoices must be PDF (.pdf) or image files (.jpg, .png or .gif). Editable formats such as .xlsx or .docx are not accepted.

What is the file size limit for Amazon appeal attachments?

Amazon states that invoices must be no larger than 10MB. For other documents, check the upload screen on your appeal page, which shows what it accepts.

Can I highlight or mark up my documents?

Yes. Amazon’s appeal questionnaire guidance suggests circling or highlighting the most important areas, such as ASINs, the supplier name or key clauses. Highlighting must never change what the document says.

Can I hide prices on my invoices?

Yes. Amazon says you can remove pricing information, as long as all other information remains visible and clear.

How old can my invoices be?

Amazon asks for invoices with an issue date within the past 365 days before you received the performance notification, covering sales and in-stock inventory for each cited ASIN over that period.

Should I always attach a plan of action?

Not always. Amazon’s policy violation appeals FAQ says a plan of action will not be accepted for the policy compliance violations it covers, so follow what the notification and appeal page ask for.

What should I do if a document I need does not exist?

Do not create or alter one. Obtain it from the real issuer, narrow the appeal to what genuine records prove, or get advice before submitting.

Get Help With Your Amazon Appeal Evidence

If you are not sure which documents answer your notification, or cannot explain a rejection, our team maps each concern to the records that answer it and checks your pack before it goes in. You can submit your case or book a consultation.

This article is educational information about Amazon’s published appeal requirements, not legal advice. Amazon updates its policies and pages. Check the current Seller Central help pages and your own notifications before you act. No outcome or timeline is guaranteed.

You can also see all our marketplace suspension services.

Sources

• Amazon Seller Central: Appeal an account deactivation or listing removal
• Amazon Seller Central: Complete an appeal questionnaire to reinstate selling privileges
• Amazon Seller Central: Invoice requirements for appealing a policy violation
• Amazon Seller Central: Policy violation appeals FAQ
• Amazon Seller Central: Additional information about the Restricted Products policy
• Amazon Seller Central: Selling policies and seller code of conduct
• IRS: Recordkeeping
• IRS: How long should I keep records
• National Association of Secretaries of State: Corporate registration
• USPTO: Search our trademark database
• Library of Congress: PDF/A family, PDF for long-term preservation