Protect Your Amazon Brand from Listing Hijacks & Counterfeits in 2025 | AMZ Seller Hub UAE

In 2025, Amazon’s marketplace will never be more competitive or more vulnerable. Counterfeiters and hijackers have found ways to sneak onto legitimate listings and divert sales with the rise of private-label sellers and global sourcing.

For sellers in the UAE’s fast-growing Amazon marketplace, the risk is even higher due to cross-border listings and regional sellers using shared ASINs.

AMZ Seller Hub has seen a clear trend: even strong brands with registered trademarks face sudden sales drops because someone hijacked their Buy Box or cloned their listing.

Why Listing Hijacks Hurt Amazon Sellers in the UAE

A listing hijack occurs when another seller lists on your ASIN, pretending to sell the same product, often at a lower price or with counterfeit inventory.

Impact of Listing Hijacks:

• Lost Buy Box ownership
• Fake or poor-quality orders leading to negative reviews
• Decline in brand trust and conversion rates
• Account health risks from returns or A-to-Z claims
• Advertising waste as counterfeiters benefit from your PPC campaigns

A hijack can cost even small brands thousands of dirhams monthly, not just in sales but in long-term damage to ranking and reputation.

Understanding How Counterfeits Exploit Amazon’s System

Counterfeiters exploit Amazon’s “open catalog” system, where multiple sellers can list under one ASIN. If your product isn’t brand-registered, hijackers can easily:

• List under your ASIN, claiming they sell the same product
• Offer a cheaper counterfeit version
• Manipulate stock availability to win the Buy Box temporarily
• Leave fake reviews to damage your product’s credibility

Without a clear brand ownership trail, Amazon’s algorithm doesn’t immediately know who the authentic seller is.

How AI & Automation Are Changing IP Enforcement in 2025

In 2025, Amazon will use AI-based systems to detect IP infringements and counterfeit activities faster. But it also means the enforcement bar is higher, you must have clean data and valid documentation for your claims to succeed.

AI Enforcement Trends:

AI Function	Purpose	Benefit to Sellers
Image recognition	Detects copied images from listings	Flags counterfeit visuals
Text similarity	Scans descriptions for copy-paste content	Identifies hijacked listings
Seller pattern detection	Tracks suspicious pricing or feedback loops	Removes fake accounts faster
Trademark cross-validation	Matches ASINs to registered marks	Gives priority to brand-registered sellers

However, AI tools only work if your brand data is properly registered and consistent. That’s why enrolling in Brand Registry 2025 is the first and most essential line of defense.

Signs Your Listing Has Been Hijacked

You can spot early hijacking or counterfeit behavior by watching these red flags:

• ⚠️ Sudden drop in Buy Box percentage
• 📉 Decrease in conversion rate despite constant ad spend
• 🧩 Extra sellers appearing on your product listing
• 🧾 Customer complaints about fake or low-quality products
• 🧭 Changes in product title or bullets without your consent

Tip from AMZ Seller Hub:
Check your “Offer Listing Page” daily. If you see unknown sellers offering your item, that’s a sign of hijack, even if they haven’t yet stolen the Buy Box.

Tools to Detect and Monitor Counterfeits

Use both Amazon-native tools and third-party monitors for proactive protection:

Tool Name	Purpose	Best For
Amazon Brand Registry	Registers your IP and helps report violations	Mandatory for brand protection
Transparency Program	Uses serialized QR codes for product verification	Physical product authenticity
Project Zero	Empowers sellers to remove counterfeit listings directly	Mature brands with strong IP
Helium 10 Alerts	Monitors hijacker appearance on listings	Small & medium sellers
SellerApp & AMZAlert	Automated hijack alerts via email	Multi-ASIN monitoring

If you sell on Amazon UAE (Amazon.ae), make sure your Trademark is filed with the UAE Ministry of Economy — this local verification supports your Brand Registry access globally.

What Documentation Amazon Needs for IP Claims

Amazon now demands structured, verifiable proof before removing hijackers.

Required Documents:

1. Trademark Registration Certificate (UAE or international)
2. Brand Registry Enrollment Proof
3. Invoice or Proof of Authentic Inventory Purchase
4. Product Packaging & Label Images
5. Copyright or Design Documentation (if applicable)

Always include clear comparison photos between your product and the hijacker’s listing when submitting a counterfeit or IP infringement claim.

Pro Tip: Use image metadata (EXIF data) to show ownership proof for your product images. It’s a subtle but strong signal for IP teams at Amazon.

Rapid Response Playbook: What to Do When Hijacked

When hijacked, speed matters more than emotion. Amazon’s bots and teams respond faster when evidence is clear and organized.

Step-by-Step Action Plan:

1. Verify Hijacker Identity:

Go to your listing → “Other Sellers on Amazon” → Note the hijacker’s store name.

2. Capture Evidence:

Take screenshots of their listing, product title, and price.

3. Buy One Unit (Optional):

Purchase from the hijacker to verify counterfeit proof.

4. File a Violation Report:

In Brand Registry > Report a Violation, attach all evidence.

5. Escalate Through Brand Support:

If no action is taken within 24–48 hours, open a Seller Central case citing.

6. Post-Removal Actions:

Monitor for reappearing hijackers, then block their store using ASIN reports.

7. Tighten Future Access:

Enable Transparency Codes and listing alerts to detect new intrusions.

Building a “Defender SOP” for Long-Term Protection

Creating a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) ensures your team reacts fast and consistently. Here’s a proven template used by many AMZ Seller Hub clients:

Your Defender SOP Checklist

Step	Action	Owner
1	Daily hijack monitoring (Helium 10 Alerts)	VA / PPC Assistant
2	Evidence capture & screenshot log	Account Manager
3	Brand Registry violation report	Brand Owner
4	Legal escalation (if required)	IP Attorney
5	Product relabel or Transparency tag	Warehouse Team

This documented routine makes it easier to train new staff and show Amazon you’re proactively protecting your IP.

Case Example: Successful Hijack Recovery by a UAE Seller

In mid-2024, a Dubai-based electronics brand selling smartwatches on Amazon.ae faced an overnight 50% drop in sales. On inspection, a hijacker from another region had duplicated their ASIN and offered a cheap imitation.

The seller:

• Filed a Brand Registry claim
• Submitted trademark and invoice proof
• Added Transparency codes
• Updated the A+ content with embedded logos

Amazon removed the hijacker, reinstated reviews, and restored Buy Box visibility within five business days. Sales bounced back by 62% within two weeks. This case proves that data + brand registry = recoverability.

FAQs: Listing Hijacks & Counterfeits on Amazon

Q1: What is a listing hijack on Amazon?

A listing hijack happens when another seller lists on your ASIN, pretending to sell your product — usually a counterfeit or low-quality copy.

Q2: How can I prevent hijackers before they appear?

Enroll in Brand Registry, apply Transparency codes, and monitor your listings using alert tools.

Q3: What if I’m not trademark-registered yet?

Apply for UAE trademark registration and use IP Accelerator to get temporary Brand Registry access while your mark is pending.

Q4: What proof do I need to report a hijacker?

Amazon requires a trademark certificate, invoice proof, and product photos clearly showing brand ownership.

Q5: Can hijackers affect my account health?

Yes. If buyers complain or return counterfeit items under your ASIN, your account may be penalized, even if you weren’t at fault.

Q6: How does AMZ Seller Hub help with hijack recovery?

We handle IP documentation, evidence submission, Brand Registry setup, and direct coordination with Amazon support for quick removal.

Defend, Detect, and Dominate with AMZ Seller Hub

Amazon rewards brands that protect their intellectual property. In case you’re a UAE-based seller or managing global ASINs, hijack protection isn’t optional; it’s survival.

By combining AI monitoring, Brand Registry tools, and a proactive SOP, you can stay several steps ahead of counterfeiters.

AMZ Seller Hub helps Amazon sellers across the UAE defend their listings, recover from hijacks, and maintain clean account health, so you can focus on growth, not firefighting.

Need help protecting your brand?

Contact AMZ Seller Hub today to set up your custom IP Protection System.