Amazon Adds New Fees as Fuel Costs Rise

In April 2026, Amazon introduced a new 3.5% fuel and logistics-related surcharge for third-party sellers using its fulfillment services.

The company cited persistently high energy and transportation costs, driven by the global oil supply shock following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to regional conflict.

Starting April 17, this fee applies to Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) services, with an expansion to other programs like Buy with Prime following shortly after in May.

While Amazon describes the surcharge as a temporary adjustment, many independent sellers are skeptical, remembering previous temporary fees that became permanent.

The surcharge is calculated based on fulfillment costs—not the final sale price—which amounts to roughly $0.17 per unit.

Despite Amazon’s claim that its rates remain competitive compared to major carriers like FedEx or UPS, the added expense puts significant pressure on merchant profit margins.

As the geopolitical situation remains unstable, the future of these operational costs continues to be a concern for the e-commerce community.