The annual shopping extravaganza of Black Friday and Cyber Monday has begun, with e-commerce sellers eagerly preparing for the year-end sales rush. However, many merchants are encountering unexpected shipping restrictions that threaten to derail their holiday season performance.
Best-Selling Products Hit With Inventory Limits
"I've opened countless support cases, but customer service either claims there are no restrictions or says they've been lifted—yet the system still shows errors when I try to create shipping plans," said one frustrated Amazon seller. Two weeks ago, his top-selling ASINs began experiencing problems with shipping plan creation, either preventing quantity inputs or displaying "maximum inventory allowed" messages.
Initial assumptions about system glitches proved wrong as standard troubleshooting methods failed. The situation worsened as restricted ASINs multiplied rapidly, eventually affecting over half of the seller's active listings. "My Black Friday deals are all set up, but now I can't ship inventory. This could cost me 30% of my projected holiday sales," he lamented.
This scenario isn't isolated. Numerous sellers report sudden ASIN shipping limitations from Amazon, including on products with strong sales velocity, creating critical inventory shortages during peak season.
Excess Inventory Algorithms: System Errors or Policy Changes?
Why would high-demand products face shipping restrictions? Some sellers suspect Amazon has modified its excess inventory algorithms, causing false positives. "ASINs flagged for 'exceeding 90-day turnover' clearly don't meet that threshold," noted one merchant.
The platform's system logic appears inconsistent. Some sellers report being unable to ship two units when the system recommends restocking ten, suggesting potential technical flaws. Amazon's customer support responses have been contradictory, ranging from claims that restrictions were lifted to vague instructions to wait, without providing clear solutions.
Seller Workarounds: Lightning Deals and Appeals
With limited official support, merchants are developing their own solutions. Two methods have emerged as potential workarounds, though results vary:
- Black Friday Lightning Deals: Some sellers discovered that registering products for limited-time deals automatically lifted shipping restrictions. This suggests Amazon may prioritize inventory for promotional items to ensure holiday supply.
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Email Appeals:
Successful appeals typically include:
- Detailed 30-day sales data proving product velocity
- Inventory turnover rate documentation
- Emphasis on seasonal demand projections
- Clear restocking plans demonstrating preparedness
Neither method guarantees resolution, and sellers are advised to monitor policy changes closely while exploring multiple approaches.
Diversification: The Future of Cross-Border E-Commerce
For sellers still battling restrictions, this holiday season presents significant challenges. Smaller merchants without substantial capital reserves or flexible supply chains face particular risk if inventory depletes during peak sales periods.
In an environment of evolving platform policies and questionable system stability, diversification appears increasingly essential for seller resilience. Key strategies include:
- Expanding to multiple sales channels beyond single marketplaces
- Optimizing supply chain networks with redundant suppliers
- Establishing overseas warehouse networks to reduce logistics bottlenecks
- Implementing robust risk monitoring systems for policy changes
As competition intensifies in cross-border e-commerce, operational adaptability and risk management are becoming critical differentiators for sustainable success.