I am physically and mentally exhausted. How could this product be classified as a weapon?
Since I discovered that one of my child SKUs was classified as a weapon, I have been actively contacting Amazon support. However, the response is always the same:
"The sale of 'Kubotans' or tactical pens that can be used as a 'Kubotan' is prohibited on Amazon.co.uk. We leveraged a combination of automated means to identify this issue and to make this decision."
I have been trying to understand what the specific issue is, but I keep receiving the same reply. Yesterday, another one of my child SKUs was also removed, and at the same time, my account health was put at risk.
I’ve been trying to analyze my product and noticed that many other sellers in the same category are offering similar items. For example, there are products resembling a giant hammer or those that look like long spikes, which are still available. Therefore, I am unable to understand why my product is being classified as a weapon.
I am reaching out to sellers with similar experiences for help or hoping that Amazon’s support team can provide me with clear guidance. I have also uploaded images of my product here for reference.
Thank you for your attention!
I am physically and mentally exhausted. How could this product be classified as a weapon?
Since I discovered that one of my child SKUs was classified as a weapon, I have been actively contacting Amazon support. However, the response is always the same:
"The sale of 'Kubotans' or tactical pens that can be used as a 'Kubotan' is prohibited on Amazon.co.uk. We leveraged a combination of automated means to identify this issue and to make this decision."
I have been trying to understand what the specific issue is, but I keep receiving the same reply. Yesterday, another one of my child SKUs was also removed, and at the same time, my account health was put at risk.
I’ve been trying to analyze my product and noticed that many other sellers in the same category are offering similar items. For example, there are products resembling a giant hammer or those that look like long spikes, which are still available. Therefore, I am unable to understand why my product is being classified as a weapon.
I am reaching out to sellers with similar experiences for help or hoping that Amazon’s support team can provide me with clear guidance. I have also uploaded images of my product here for reference.
Thank you for your attention!
0 replies
Seller_76AUwmqvSyRIM
Maybe it's because you can break the plastic and remove the blade then attach it to a stick and then you would have a weapon!
Seller_19xPhE8YgkmxW
Hello Jufo_Ltd_599,
I know nothing about this at all, being a used bookseller, but searching for Kubotan on Amazon turns up a self-defence weapon... "With over 290 photographs and step-by-step instructions, Kubotan Power: Quick and Simple Steps to Mastering the Kubotan Keychain is the authoritative resource for mastering this devastating self-defense weapon. "
This may be the cause of your problem... ?
All Best
Brian
Seller_ZJhFeE3tNKzfh
I would say the main issue is the product does still contain a blade.
Have you read through the bladed products guidance?
I assume amazon are seeing it as a weapon as it may not fall under the limited bladed items allowed?
Seller_mS10UjVYuuGor
I think you're being caught by AI for the terminology you use.
In a few places your listings (in both image and text) mention 'Sharp Blade' which is likely to be a red flag to AI.
Looking at a couple of your competitors listings one does mention the 'Sharp Protected Blade' whereas most just mention seatbelt cutter.
Seller_GPLxAbyNPI33I
[Moderator Edit: removed inappropriate commentary]
Seller_tz74iYhHLULoK
We have been facing this issue for several years now, and for some of our products, we don’t even sell blades. In fact, several more of our listings were taken down just this morning, and it has been incredibly frustrating trying to get Amazon to resolve the issue.
As one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of safety razors, we have always complied with regulations and previously sold our razors without blades. However, in 2023, all of our listings were removed, and despite repeated efforts, we have been unable to reinstate them. Meanwhile, we continue to sell these products successfully on other Amazon marketplaces, through wholesale, on our website, and in retail stores across the UK. Yet, on Amazon UK, we are inexplicably blocked from selling what is essentially a solid piece of metal.
At the same time, numerous sellers, primarily based in China, are actively selling safety razors with blades, fulfilled by Amazon and delivered nationwide. This double standard is deeply concerning.
Additionally, all of the bladed products we do sell, such as female dermaplaning tools, fall under Amazon’s exemption criteria:
Razor blades permanently enclosed in a cartridge or housing with less than 2 mm of blade exposed.
Despite meeting these requirements, we are still unable to proceed with un-gating our products. As a trusted UK brand and seller with a longstanding reputation, this situation is not only unjust but also highlights a broader issue. We are now engaging with media outlets who have shown significant interest in our story - Amazon is enabling the sale of real blades by non-compliant overseas sellers while blocking established UK businesses that fully adhere to their policies. This needs to be brought to national attention.
Seller_GPLxAbyNPI33I
So just to prove that MODs do look at forum posts without being tagged.
I commented on this thread by asking people to remind themselves of where a certain teenager from a town near Blackpool shall we say acquired a certain article shall we say to inflict such horror.
And after 8 thumbs up I think it's fair to say that Amazon don't like the truth!
[Moderator Edit: removed inappropriate commentary]
