Amazon to issue 3.5% surcharge on fulfillment services as fuel, logistics costs rise
Amazon will impose a 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge on merchants’ fulfillment fees beginning April 17, as rising fuel costs tied to conflict in the Middle East pressure supply chains.
“Elevated costs in fulfillment and logistics have increased the cost of operating across the industry. We have absorbed these increased costs so far,” the company wrote in an announcement to sellers. “When costs remain elevated, we implement temporary surcharges on our fulfillment fees to recover a portion of the actual cost increases we are experiencing.”
The surcharge will apply to Fulfillment by Amazon in the U.S. and Canada, as well as some cross-border and Buy With Prime services, and will average about $0.17 per unit in the U.S., the company said in its message. The surcharge will be calculated on merchants’ fulfillment fees, not on the sale price of items.
The move comes as companies across industries add fuel-related fees to offset higher energy costs. Airlines, for example, have raised fares and added surcharges on tickets as jet fuel prices climb amid the war with Iran. The U.S. Postal Service is implementing an 8% temporary price hike on some services starting April 26, according to a Wednesday announcement.
The Strait of Hormuz — a critical shipping route for crude exports from major oil producers — has remained closed since the U.S. and Israel began their war with Iran, pushing oil prices higher and driving up gasoline costs. In recent weeks, oil prices have climbed to their highest levels since mid-2022, when markets were disrupted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The added costs come at a time when margins are already tight for many Amazon sellers. Last year, Amazon announced it was increasing fulfillment fees for merchants in 2026, despite Trump’s tariffs adding new pressure on sellers’ profitability.
Amazon did not say how long the surcharge would remain in place but described it as temporary and said it would evaluate it as conditions evolve. But some sellers are dubious. Noah Wickham, VP of sales and marketing at Amazon seller agency My Amazon Guy, criticized the surcharge in a LinkedIn post, saying the lack of an “end date” raises concerns it could become permanent. He added that such fees can “slowly whittle away” sellers’ profits and potentially push some merchants off the platform.
Amazon previously introduced a similar 5% fuel and inflation surcharge in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, citing rising supply chain costs at the time.
Amazon spokesperson Ashley Vanicek told Modern Retail in a statement that the surcharge is “meaningfully lower” than those imposed by other major carriers. “We remain committed to our selling partners’ success and to maintaining broad selection and low prices for customers,” Vanicek said.
This story has been updated to add a statement from an Amazon spokesperson.