How to Report Unauthorized Sellers Across Major Marketplaces

Unsanctioned sellers are flooding the market with uncertified moss balls, and we need your help to stop them. At Moss Amigos, we take environmental and legal compliance seriously, especially when selling plant products like moss balls. 

As you may know, moss balls can carry invasive zebra mussels, which pose significant risks to ecosystems. Unfortunately, many sellers are not adhering to the necessary regulations, such as providing phytosanitary certification or displaying valid nursery licenses. 

This can cause serious ecological and legal issues.

We’re counting on you, our trusted Partner stores, to help us keep the marketplace clean and compliant. This guide will walk you through the simple steps for reporting unauthorized listings across various popular platforms. 

Amazon

Amazon has strict policies regarding restricted products, and selling moss balls without proper certification or a nursery license violates their rules. By reporting these listings, you're helping ensure Amazon stays free of risky products.

Steps to Report:

1. Log into your Amazon Seller Central account.
2. Head over to the Amazon Seller Support page.
3. Select the Product Policy Violations option.
4. Include the listing URL and mention the missing phytosanitary certification and nursery license.
5. Describe the violation.

Blurb for Reporting Unauthorized Sellers:

“This listing violates Amazon's Restricted Products policy, as it offers a plant product without the required phytosanitary certification to ensure it is free from invasive species, such as zebra mussels. Selling this product without proper certification poses a significant ecological risk. Also the seller does not display a valid nursery license, which is required under U.S. federal and state regulations for selling plants.”

👉 Helpful Links: Amazon Restricted Products Policy

eBay

eBay is serious about protecting users from prohibited items, and selling moss balls without certification or a license violates their policies. Reporting these items helps prevent the spread of invasive species.

Steps to Report:

1. Log into your eBay account.
2. Navigate to the eBay Prohibited Items Policy by searching for it in the Help & Contact section.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Report an Item".
4. Provide the listing URL of the product in violation.
5. Specify the violation: State that the seller has failed to provide phytosanitary certification and a valid nursery license.
6. Submit your report, and eBay will investigate the issue.

Blurb for Reporting Unauthorized Sellers:

“This product violates eBay's Prohibited Items and Invasive Species policies. Moss balls are known to carry invasive zebra mussels, and the seller has not provided the required phytosanitary certification to verify the product's safety. Additionally, under U.S. law, it is unlawful to sell plants without a valid nursery license, which this seller has failed to display. Please remove this listing immediately.”

👉 Helpful Links: eBay Prohibited Items Policy

Etsy

Etsy is committed to sustainability, and selling moss balls without certification or a nursery license directly contradicts their policies. By reporting these listings, you’re contributing to a more eco-friendly marketplace.

Steps to Report:

1. Log into your Etsy account.
2. Visit the Etsy Prohibited Items Policy.
3. Use the Report a Listing feature to report the violation.
4. Include the listing URL and mention the missing phytosanitary certification and nursery license.
5. Submit the report for Etsy’s review.

Blurb for Reporting Unauthorized Sellers:

“This product listing violates Etsy's Prohibited Materials and Sustainability policies. The moss balls in question are known to carry invasive zebra mussels, and the seller has not provided any phytosanitary certification to confirm their safety. Additionally, the seller is not displaying a valid nursery license, a legal requirement in the U.S. for selling plants. This poses a risk to the environment and violates federal and state laws.”

👉 Helpful Links: Etsy Prohibited Items Policy

Walmart

Walmart has clear guidelines when it comes to regulated products. Reporting unauthorized listings helps keep the marketplace safe from harmful products that could endanger the environment.

Steps to Report:

1. Log into your Walmart Seller Center account.
2. Visit the Walmart Marketplace Prohibited Products Policy.
3. Use the Contact Us option to report the issue.
4. Provide the listing URL and details about the missing phytosanitary certification and nursery license.
5. Submit the complaint for review.

Blurb for Reporting Unauthorized Sellers:

“This listing violates Walmart's Regulated Products policy by selling a plant product without the required phytosanitary certification. Moss balls are a known vector for invasive zebra mussels, and the lack of certification poses a significant ecological risk. Additionally, the seller is not displaying a valid nursery license, which is legally required under U.S. federal and state laws for selling plants.”

👉 Helpful Link: Walmart Marketplace Prohibited Products

TikTok Shop

TikTok Shop has a zero-tolerance policy for prohibited and regulated goods. Moss balls that carry zebra mussels need to be flagged, and it’s up to us to ensure these listings are removed.

Steps to Report:

1. Log into your TikTok Shop account.
2. Visit the TikTok Shop Prohibited Items Policy.
3. Click "Report for the listing" and specify the violation type.
4. Provide the listing URL and specify the missing phytosanitary certification and nursery license.
5. Submit the report for TikTok’s review.

Blurb for Reporting Unauthorized Sellers:

“This product listing violates TikTok Shop's Prohibited and Regulated Goods policy. Moss balls are known to carry invasive zebra mussels, and the seller has not provided the required phytosanitary certification to confirm their safety. Additionally, the seller does not display a valid nursery license, a legal requirement for selling plant products in the U.S. This listing poses ecological and legal risks.”

👉 Helpful Link: TikTok Shop Prohibited Items Policy

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace requires that all listings meet specific certification standards. Moss balls that aren’t properly certified can harm ecosystems and violate Facebook’s Commerce Policies.

Steps to Report:

1. Log into your Facebook account and go to Marketplace.
2. Find the listing and click the three dots in the upper-right corner.
3. Select Report Listing and provide details about the missing certification and license.
4. Submit the report for Facebook’s investigation.

Blurb for Reporting Unauthorized Sellers:

“This listing violates Facebook Marketplace's Commerce Policies by offering moss balls without proper certification or licensing. Moss balls are a known carrier of invasive zebra mussels, and the seller has not provided phytosanitary certification to confirm the product's safety. Additionally, selling plants without a nursery license is unlawful under U.S. federal and state regulations.”

👉 Helpful Link: Facebook Marketplace Commerce Policies

Instagram Shops

Instagram follows similar guidelines to Facebook, and moss balls without certification pose an environmental risk. Reporting helps Instagram maintain a marketplace that values sustainability.

Steps to Report:

1. Log into your Instagram Business account.
2. Navigate to the listing and tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
3. Select Report and provide information on the missing phytosanitary certification and nursery license.
4. Submit the report to Instagram’s team for review.

Blurb for Reporting Unauthorized Sellers:

“This product violates Instagram's Shopping Guidelines by selling moss balls without the required phytosanitary certification to verify their safety. Moss balls are a known vector for invasive zebra mussels, which pose significant environmental risks. Furthermore, the seller does not display a valid nursery license, as required under U.S. federal and state laws for plant sales.”

👉 Helpful Link: Instagram Shopping Policies

Mercari

Mercari has a strict Prohibited Items policy, and moss balls without the correct documentation violate this policy. Reporting helps clean up the marketplace.

Steps to Report:

1. Log into your Mercari account.
2. Find the listing and select Report Item.
3. Specify that the item violates Mercari’s Prohibited Items policy due to missing certification and license.

Blurb for Reporting Unauthorized Sellers:

“This listing violates Mercari's Prohibited Items policy. Moss balls are known to carry invasive zebra mussels, and this seller has not provided the required phytosanitary certification to confirm the product's safety. Additionally, U.S. law mandates that sellers of plants possess a valid nursery license, which this seller does not have.”

👉 Helpful Links:

Alibaba/Aliexpress

Alibaba and Aliexpress have strict guidelines when it comes to selling restricted or regulated products. Reporting these products ensures the platform maintains its integrity and complies with environmental protection laws.

Steps to Report:

1. Log into your Alibaba or Aliexpress account.
2. Navigate to the listing page of the product you wish to report.
3. Click on the "Report Infringement" button located on the product page (this may be listed under 'More Options' or a similar section).
4. Select "Infringement type" as Prohibited Product or Violation of U.S. Laws.
5. Provide the necessary details, including the listing URL, and specify that the product lacks phytosanitary certification and a valid nursery license.
6. Submit the complaint and wait for Alibaba or Aliexpress to review and take action.

Blurb for Reporting Unauthorized Sellers:

“This product listing violates Alibaba's Prohibited and Restricted Products policy. Moss balls are a known carrier of invasive zebra mussels, and the seller has not provided the required phytosanitary certification to confirm the product's safety. Additionally, selling plants without a nursery license violates U.S. federal and state laws. Please review and remove this listing immediately.”

👉 Helpful Links: Alibaba Prohibited Items Policy

Let’s Work Together!

As our Partner stores, your involvement is key. Not only will you protect the environment and comply with legal requirements, but you'll also help other sellers and buyers make informed decisions.

If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to let us know. Together, we can make a big impact!