Amazon FBA Fee Changes in 2026: How Rising Costs Are Impacting Sellers

Amazon continues to evolve its Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program, and in 2026, sellers are facing another round of fee adjustments that directly affect margins, inventory planning, and fulfillment strategy.

Amazon confirmed that FBA fees will increase by an average of $0.08 per unit, effective January 15, 2026, representing less than 0.5% of the average item’s selling price.

While the average increase sounds modest, the real impact varies by product size, price tier, and inventory behavior. For many brands, higher inbound placement costs, storage fees, and return processing charges are forcing a closer look at how much they rely on FBA and whether hybrid fulfillment models make more sense.

Amazon’s updates signal a shift toward tighter inventory control and higher operating costs for sellers across nearly every category.

What Amazon FBA Fees Are Changing in 2026

Several key FBA fees are impacting sellers this year.

Inbound placement fees
Amazon continues charging sellers to distribute inventory across its fulfillment network. Brands that ship inventory to fewer locations or send large replenishments are seeing higher inbound logistics costs.

Storage fees
Monthly storage fees remain elevated, particularly during peak season. Long-term storage penalties make slow-moving and seasonal inventory more expensive to hold inside Amazon warehouses.

Fulfillment fees
Per-unit pick, pack, and shipping costs have increased for many product categories. Larger and heavier items are seeing some of the biggest increases.

Returns processing fees
Expanded return processing fees now apply to additional categories, creating more cost pressure for apparel, footwear, and other high-return products.

Amazon stated that these updates are part of its ongoing effort to offset labor, transportation, and infrastructure investments.

Why Amazon Is Raising FBA Fees

Amazon’s fee increases reflect rising operational costs throughout its fulfillment network.

Labor expenses, warehouse space constraints, and growing demand for faster delivery continue to push costs higher. At the same time, Amazon is investing heavily in infrastructure to maintain Prime-level service expectations.

By shifting more of these costs onto sellers, Amazon protects its margins while continuing to offer speed and reliability to customers.

Fee Comparison Chart: Examples of 2026 FBA Fulfillment Fee Changes

Amazon’s Seller Central guidance confirms that standard-size products priced between $10 and $50 will see fulfillment fee increases of approximately $0.25 per unit for small standard items and $0.05 per unit for large standard items in 2026.

While exact fees depend on product size and weight, industry reporting and Amazon’s published guidance show the following estimated changes by tier:

Even small per-unit increases compound quickly at scale. A seller shipping 20,000 units annually would see roughly $1,600 in additional fulfillment fees from the average $0.08 increase alone.

Which Sellers Are Most Affected by FBA Fee Changes

While all sellers feel the impact, some are affected more than others.

Oversized and heavy product sellers
Larger items incur higher fulfillment and storage fees, making FBA less cost-effective.

Low-margin brands
Even small fee increases can significantly reduce profitability.

Seasonal sellers
Higher storage costs make it harder to hold inventory for peak selling periods.

High-return categories
Apparel and footwear sellers face added return processing costs that cut into margins.

How FBA Fee Increases Impact Profitability

Rising FBA fees affect more than shipping costs alone.

Sellers often experience:

Higher landed cost per unit

Reduced profit margins

Less pricing flexibility

Increased risk of storage penalties

More complex inventory planning

For many brands, these changes are forcing a closer look at alternative fulfillment strategies.

Alternatives to Relying on FBA Alone

More sellers are moving away from an FBA-only approach and building more flexible fulfillment models.

Hybrid fulfillment (FBA + 3PL)
Inventory is split between Amazon and a 3PL, reducing storage fees while maintaining Prime eligibility.

FBM with a 3PL
Using Fulfilled by Merchant with a professional 3PL allows sellers to control shipping costs and inventory placement.

Distributed fulfillment
Placing inventory closer to customers reduces transit times and shipping expenses compared to centralized FBA storage.

How 3PL Center Helps Amazon Sellers Adapt

3PL Center supports Amazon sellers by offering flexible fulfillment solutions that work alongside or independently from FBA.

FBA prep services
Products are labeled, packaged, and prepared to meet Amazon’s inbound requirements.

FBM order fulfillment
Orders ship directly to customers with fast delivery and reliable tracking.

Oversized item expertise
Specialized equipment and trained teams handle large and heavy products that drive up FBA fees.

Inbound and inventory management
Containers and palletized shipments are received, stored, and distributed efficiently.

Real-time WMS visibility
Sellers have full insight into inventory levels, order status, and shipping performance.

Nationwide warehouse network
Inventory can be positioned strategically to reduce shipping costs and improve delivery times.

Why Sellers Are Rethinking Amazon Fulfillment in 2026

Amazon remains a powerful sales channel, but rising fees mean it is no longer the most cost-effective option for every product or brand.

Sellers who diversify fulfillment gain better cost control, reduce dependence on one platform, and create a more resilient supply chain.

Planning Ahead for Amazon FBA Fees

Amazon FBA fee changes in 2026 highlight the importance of proactive fulfillment planning. Sellers who wait may see margins shrink before they can respond.

By combining FBA with 3PL fulfillment or moving select SKUs off Amazon, brands can protect profitability while still meeting fast delivery expectations.

Feeling the pressure from rising Amazon FBA fees?

3PL Center helps sellers create flexible fulfillment strategies that improve cost control, inventory visibility, and long-term scalability. Speak with our team to explore your options.