Ending your Amazon Seller membership made easy

About Amazon Seller

Amazon Seller is Amazon's comprehensive marketplace platform that enables individuals and businesses across the UK to sell products directly to millions of customers through Amazon.co.uk. Whether you're shifting stock from your garage or running a full-scale e-commerce operation, this service transforms you from a casual browser into a legitimate merchant on one of the world's largest retail platforms.

Here's what makes Amazon Seller different from simply being an Amazon customer: you gain access to sophisticated selling tools, fulfilment services, and the ability to list products in virtually any category. Your items appear alongside Amazon's own inventory, giving you immediate credibility and access to Prime customers who specifically filter for fast delivery options.

The platform operates through Seller Central, your command centre for managing inventory, processing orders, handling customer messages, and tracking your sales performance. Most importantly, Amazon handles the payment processing and customer trust elements that typically take months to establish independently. When someone buys your product, Amazon collects the payment, deducts their fees, and deposits the remainder into your bank account on a regular schedule.

Thousands of UK sellers use this service for different reasons. Some are clearing out attics and selling second-hand books or electronics. Others have built six-figure businesses importing products or manufacturing their own branded goods. The platform scales from complete beginners to established retailers looking to expand their reach beyond physical shops.

Plans, features and pricing

Amazon Seller offers two distinct account types in the UK, and understanding the difference is crucial because it affects both your monthly costs and your cancellation considerations. I've seen countless sellers choose the wrong plan initially, which complicates things when they want to step back from selling.

Individual selling plan

The Individual plan charges no monthly subscription fee, which sounds brilliant until you understand the per-item fee structure. You pay £0.75 plus applicable referral fees every time something sells. This plan makes sense if you're selling fewer than 35 items monthly or testing the waters before committing.

Keep in mind that Individual sellers face restrictions that Professional sellers don't encounter. You cannot advertise products, apply for selling in restricted categories, use advanced shipping options, or access detailed sales reports and APIs. Additionally, you're limited in how you can win the Buy Box, that coveted "Add to Basket" button that drives most sales.

Professional selling plan

The Professional plan costs £25 per month excluding VAT, charged regardless of whether you make any sales. In exchange, you eliminate the per-item fee and unlock the full suite of selling tools. This includes bulk listing capabilities, advertising options, eligibility for programmes like Amazon Business and Subscribe & Save, plus access to advanced reporting.

Most sellers who contact me about cancellation are Professional plan subscribers because they've either built a business that's no longer viable or they've discovered that selling on Amazon requires more time and effort than anticipated. The monthly fee becomes particularly painful when inventory isn't moving or when you're taking a break from active selling.

Additional fees that continue until cancellation

Beyond the subscription, Amazon charges referral fees ranging from 8% to 15% of each sale depending on category. Electronics typically sit at 8%, whilst clothing and jewellery reach 15%. These percentages apply to the total sale price including delivery charges you collect from customers.

If you use Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA), where Amazon stores and ships your products, you'll pay storage fees calculated by cubic feet per month. These fees increase significantly during Q4 (October through December) when warehouse space becomes premium. Additionally, long-term storage fees apply to inventory sitting in Amazon's warehouses for over 365 days.

Here's the critical point for cancellation: FBA fees continue accruing until you remove your inventory from Amazon's warehouses. I've seen sellers assume that closing their account stops all charges, only to receive bills for storage months later because they left products behind.

Terms of service and cancellation policy

Amazon's Business Solutions Agreement governs your seller account, and understanding the relevant sections prevents nasty surprises during cancellation. This isn't light reading, but certain clauses directly impact how smoothly your exit proceeds.

Notice requirements and account closure

According to Amazon's terms, either party can terminate the agreement at any time with or without cause. However, practical reality differs from contractual theory. Whilst you can request immediate closure, Amazon typically requires you to resolve outstanding issues first, including pending orders, customer disputes, and negative account balances.

The agreement states that certain provisions survive termination, particularly those related to confidentiality, indemnification, and payment obligations. This means even after closing your account, you remain responsible for any claims arising from products you sold, refunds Amazon processes on your behalf, and fees you owe.

Financial settlement timeline

Amazon holds your final payment for up to 90 days after account closure. This reserve protects against chargebacks, returns, and A-to-z Guarantee claims that customers might file after you've stopped selling. The 90-day period isn't negotiable through standard channels, though Amazon may release funds earlier if your account history demonstrates minimal risk.

Most importantly, any negative balance on your account becomes immediately due upon closure. If customers returned products, Amazon issued refunds, or fees exceeded your sales revenue, you must settle this debt before Amazon releases your final payment. They'll automatically charge the credit card on file, which causes problems if that card has expired or reached its limit.

UK consumer protection considerations

Under UK law, consumers have 14 days to cancel distance sales contracts without providing reasons. However, as a seller rather than a consumer, these protections don't apply to your relationship with Amazon. You cannot invoke the Consumer Contracts Regulations to cancel your Professional subscription mid-month and receive a prorated refund.

That said, if you signed up for Amazon Seller whilst acting primarily as a consumer (perhaps selling personal items occasionally), you might argue for consumer protections. This becomes relevant if Amazon makes it difficult to cancel or continues charging after you've clearly communicated your intention to close the account.

Why postal cancellation provides legal protection

Sending cancellation by post, specifically by Recorded Delivery, creates indisputable evidence of your cancellation request. Online account closures sometimes fail due to technical glitches, pending issues that block the process, or disputes about whether you completed all required steps. Phone cancellations leave no paper trail beyond notes in Amazon's system that you cannot access or verify.

Postal cancellation establishes a clear timeline. If Amazon continues charging your account after receiving your letter, you have dated proof that you requested closure. This becomes crucial if you need to dispute charges with your credit card company or escalate to the Financial Ombudsman.

Additionally, a formal letter demonstrates seriousness. Amazon's automated systems and offshore support teams handle thousands of queries daily, and requests sometimes fall through cracks. A physical letter sent to their UK address typically reaches departments with authority to override system restrictions and process closures that online methods cannot complete.

Cancelling by post: the complete guide

Right, let's walk through the postal cancellation process step by step. I've guided hundreds of sellers through this, and following this sequence prevents the common mistakes that delay closure or result in unexpected charges.

Before you send your letter

First, resolve all outstanding orders. Check Seller Central for any pending shipments and either fulfil them or cancel them according to Amazon's policies. Unfulfilled orders block account closure and generate performance notifications that complicate the process.

Next, address customer messages and cases. Amazon requires sellers to respond to buyer inquiries within 24 hours, and open cases prevent clean closure. Even if you're frustrated and want out immediately, taking 30 minutes to clear your message queue saves weeks of back-and-forth later.

Additionally, remove FBA inventory if applicable. You have two options: request removal to your address or request disposal. Removal costs between £0.30 and £0.60 per unit depending on size, whilst disposal costs less but obviously means you lose the products. Create the removal order at least two weeks before sending your cancellation letter because processing takes time.

Most importantly, download all reports you might need for tax purposes. Once Amazon closes your account, you lose access to transaction histories, VAT reports, and sales data. HMRC may require these records for up to six years, so save everything to your computer before proceeding.

Preparing your cancellation letter

Your letter needs specific information to process efficiently. Include your full legal name as it appears on your seller account, your seller account email address, and your Seller ID (found in Seller Central under Settings). Without these identifiers, Amazon cannot match your letter to your account.

State clearly that you are requesting permanent closure of your Amazon Seller account. Use unambiguous language like "I am writing to formally request the immediate closure of my Amazon Seller account" rather than vague phrases like "I'm thinking about stopping selling" or "I might want to close my account."

Mention that you have resolved all outstanding orders, removed FBA inventory (if applicable), and understand that Amazon will hold your final payment for up to 90 days. This demonstrates you've completed the necessary preparation and prevents Amazon from responding with a list of requirements you've already met.

Keep in mind that you should request confirmation of closure in writing. Ask Amazon to send written confirmation to your email address once they've processed the closure. This confirmation serves as proof if charges continue or if you need to demonstrate when the relationship ended.

The correct postal address

Send your cancellation letter to Amazon's UK business address. This is absolutely critical because sending to incorrect addresses (like customer service centres or warehouse locations) causes significant delays. The correct address is:

• Amazon EU S.à.r.l., UK Branch
• Seller Performance Team
• 1 Principal Place
• Worship Street
• London
• EC2A 2FA
• United Kingdom

Address your envelope clearly and consider marking it "URGENT: Account Closure Request" to ensure it reaches the appropriate department quickly. However, don't use this marking frivolously on general inquiries, as it loses effectiveness if overused.

Sending via Recorded Delivery

Visit your local Post Office and send the letter via Royal Mail Recorded Delivery, which currently costs around £3.50 for standard letters. This service provides proof of postage and confirmation of delivery, both essential if disputes arise later.

You'll receive a reference number when posting. Keep this number and check the Royal Mail tracking website after a few days to confirm delivery. Screenshot the delivery confirmation and save it with a copy of your letter. This documentation package proves you sent the cancellation and when Amazon received it.

Alternatively, you could use Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm (around £7.50), which provides faster delivery and additional tracking. This makes sense if you're approaching your next billing date and want to avoid another month's charge. Keep in mind that Amazon processes letters based on when they action them, not when they receive them, so even guaranteed next-day delivery doesn't guarantee same-day processing.

Using Postclic for tracked letter delivery

If visiting the Post Office feels inconvenient or you want everything handled digitally, Postclic offers a practical alternative. This service lets you create your letter online, and they print, envelope, and send it via tracked delivery on your behalf.

The main benefit is digital proof of everything. You have a timestamped record of exactly what you sent and when, plus automatic tracking of delivery. For sellers managing multiple platforms or dealing with complicated account issues, having professional formatting and documented proof simplifies potential disputes.

Additionally, Postclic removes the risk of handwriting errors or formatting issues that sometimes cause letters to be rejected or delayed. Your letter arrives looking professional and official, which can influence how seriously the receiving department treats your request.

What happens after Amazon receives your letter

Amazon typically processes postal cancellation requests within 5 to 10 business days of receipt. You should receive an email confirmation to your registered address once they've actioned the closure. This email will outline any remaining steps, such as settling negative balances or confirming removal of remaining inventory.

Check your bank account and credit card statements for approximately 90 days after closure. Watch for your final payment deposit and ensure no unexpected charges appear. If Amazon charges your subscription fee after they received your cancellation letter, contact your credit card company immediately with your proof of postage and delivery.

Most importantly, don't delete the email account associated with your seller account for at least six months. Amazon may need to contact you about returns, claims, or tax documentation even after closure. Missing these communications can result in unresolved issues that affect your credit or create legal complications.

Tips from former members

After processing thousands of Amazon Seller cancellations, I've gathered insights from sellers who've successfully exited the platform. These tips address the practical realities that Amazon's official documentation doesn't cover.

Timing your cancellation strategically

Submit your cancellation letter immediately after your monthly subscription charge processes, not right before. Amazon doesn't prorate Professional plan fees, so cancelling on the 3rd of the month when they charged you on the 1st means you've wasted most of that month's payment. Instead, cancel just after the charge hits, giving yourself nearly a full month to wind down operations.

Avoid cancelling during Q4 (October through December) unless absolutely necessary. This peak selling season often represents 40% to 60% of annual revenue for many sellers. Even if you're frustrated with Amazon, those few months might generate enough profit to justify continuing through year-end before closing in January.

Handling inventory before closure

Former sellers consistently advise removing all FBA inventory well before sending your cancellation letter. Create your removal order at least three weeks in advance because Amazon's warehouses operate on their own timelines, especially during busy periods. Products can take 10 to 14 days to actually ship to you after you request removal.

Additionally, consider whether disposal makes more financial sense than removal for low-value items. If you're paying £0.50 per unit to remove products worth £2 each, and you have 200 units, that's £100 in removal fees. Sometimes accepting the loss and requesting disposal saves money compared to removal fees plus the hassle of storing products you probably won't sell elsewhere.

Protecting yourself from post-closure issues

Take screenshots of your final Seller Central dashboard showing zero pending orders, zero FBA inventory, and zero outstanding cases. These screenshots prove you left the account in good standing if Amazon later claims you abandoned orders or inventory.

Download your complete transaction history and save it in multiple locations. Former sellers report needing these records years later for tax audits, warranty claims from customers, or disputes about VAT. Amazon only guarantees access to historical data for two years after account closure, though they may retain it longer.

Keep in mind that some sellers report receiving customer contacts months or even years after closure when buyers experience issues with products purchased during your active period. Consider keeping a simple email autoresponder explaining that you no longer sell on Amazon and directing them to Amazon's customer service for assistance.

Common mistakes that delay closure

The biggest mistake sellers make is requesting closure whilst they still have active listings. Amazon's system won't process closure if you have inventory available for purchase. You must manually delete all listings or let them expire before Amazon will action your cancellation request.

Another frequent error is forgetting about Subscribe & Save enrollments or Lightning Deals scheduled in the future. These commitments technically keep your account active even if you have no regular inventory listed. Check your advertising campaigns, deals, and subscription enrollments, and cancel everything before submitting your postal cancellation.

Additionally, sellers often overlook negative balances that block closure. If your account shows money owed to Amazon, they won't process your cancellation until you settle the debt. Check your payment dashboard and resolve any negative balance by updating your credit card information and allowing Amazon to charge what's owed.

Alternatives to full cancellation

Before committing to closure, consider whether downgrading to an Individual account meets your needs better. You eliminate the monthly fee whilst maintaining the ability to make occasional sales. This works well if you're taking a break rather than permanently exiting, or if you want to keep selling a few items without the pressure of justifying the subscription cost.

Some sellers maintain a dormant Professional account by listing one extremely high-priced item that never sells. This keeps the account active for the £25 monthly fee, preserving your seller history, feedback rating, and established account status. If you might return to selling seriously in the future, this approach avoids starting from scratch with a new account later.

Life after Amazon Seller

Former sellers report mixed feelings about leaving the platform. Many feel relieved to escape the constant pressure of customer messages, performance metrics, and policy changes. Others miss the passive income and the simplicity of Amazon handling payments and customer service.

If you built a genuine business on Amazon, consider whether you can transfer it to other platforms before closing. Shopify, eBay, or your own website might generate similar revenue without Amazon's fees and restrictions. Several former sellers successfully transitioned by spending three months building alternative channels before closing their Amazon account.

Most importantly, remember that closing your Amazon Seller account doesn't prevent you from reopening in the future. If circumstances change or you develop a better product strategy, you can apply for a new seller account. Your previous account history won't automatically transfer, but you'll have the benefit of experience and knowledge about what works and what doesn't on the platform.