2025 vs 2026 Amazon Fees: Every Change, What It Costs You
2026 fee summary
Multiple fee increases hit in 2026: Jan 15 (FBA base rates), April 17 (fuel surcharge), plus the inbound defect fee 1,600% increase and the 90-day earlier aged inventory threshold. Brands running Q4 2025 models are likely underestimating their 2026 cost structure by 8–12%.
Run your 2026 P&L with updated fee data
Run the numbers →2025 → 2026 fee change log
| Fee | 2025 | 2026 | Who it affects |
|---|---|---|---|
| FBA Fulfillment Fee | Previous rate | +~$0.08/unit avg (Jan 15) | All FBA units |
| Fuel & Logistics Surcharge | $0 | +3.5% on all FBA fees (Apr 17) | All FBA units |
| MCF Fuel Surcharge | $0 | +3.5% on all MCF fees (May 2) | Off-Amazon FBA fulfillment |
| Inbound Defect Fee | $0.02–$0.07/unit | $0.32–$5.72/unit | Non-compliant inbound shipments |
| FBA Prep Services | Available (~$0.50–$2.50/unit) | Discontinued Jan 1, 2026 | Brands relying on Amazon prep |
| Aged Inventory Threshold | Day 271 | Day 181 (90 days earlier) | All FBA inventory |
| Aged Inventory 15+ mo Tier | Did not exist | $0.35/unit OR $7.90/cu ft | Inventory 455+ days old |
| Referral Fees | No change | No change | None — rates unchanged |
| Monthly Storage Fees | No change | No change | None — rates unchanged |
| Low-Price FBA Discount | $0.77/unit discount | $0.86/unit discount (increased) | Items priced under $10 |
Combined FBA impact on a typical brand
Large Standard 1–1.25 lb product, 10,000 units/month
2025 FBA fee: $4.75/unit × 10,000 = $47,500/month
2026 base rate (Jan 15): $5.04/unit × 10,000 = $50,400/month (+$2,900)
2026 + fuel surcharge (Apr 17): $5.04 × 1.035 × 10,000 = $52,164/month
Total increase vs. 2025: +$4,664/month (+9.8%)
This is fulfillment fee only — does not include inbound defect, aged inventory, or placement fee changes
Frequently asked questions
What fees changed from 2025 to 2026? ▾
Major changes: (1) FBA fulfillment fees increased ~$0.08/unit average on January 15, 2026. (2) New 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge on all FBA fees starting April 17, 2026. (3) MCF fees increased with fuel surcharge starting May 2. (4) Inbound defect fees increased 1,600% ($0.02–$0.07 to $0.32–$5.72) and FBA prep services ended January 1. (5) Aged inventory surcharge threshold moved from day 271 to day 181.
By how much did FBA fees increase from 2025 to 2026? ▾
Two separate increases: the January 15 base rate increase (~$0.08/unit average) and the April 17 fuel surcharge (3.5%). Combined, a Large Standard 1–1.25 lb item went from ~$4.75 (2025) to approximately $5.22 (post-April 17, 2026) — about 10% higher. Some size tiers saw larger increases.
What was the most impactful fee change from 2025 to 2026? ▾
The inbound defect fee increase (1,600%) is the single most dangerous change for brands with imperfect inbound processes — but it only hits you if you're non-compliant. The fuel surcharge is the most broadly impactful since it applies to every FBA unit regardless of inbound quality.
Did referral fees change from 2025 to 2026? ▾
No — referral fee rates across all categories were unchanged from 2025 to 2026. Rates remained the same as the 2024–2025 rates for all 38 categories.
Did storage fees change from 2025 to 2026? ▾
Monthly storage fees were not changed from 2025 to 2026. Standard-size: $0.78/cu ft (Jan–Sep), $2.40/cu ft (Oct–Dec). Oversized: $0.56/cu ft (Jan–Sep), $1.40/cu ft (Oct–Dec). These rates have been stable.