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The Amazon 2026 fee adjustment has been officially announced, signaling another critical shift for U.S.-based Amazon sellers. While the average increase is a modest $0.08 per unit, the real impact comes from the introduction of complex new fee structures, storage surcharges, and incentive programs.
These updates will directly influence your profitability and operational planning for the year ahead.
This detailed guide breaks down the key changes effective January 15, 2026, explains how they affect your margins, and provides actionable strategies to maintain your competitive edge in the evolving FBA landscape.
Overview of the 2026 Fee Adjustment
Amazon emphasizes that the overall fee increase remains moderate, falling below the 3.9%–5.9% annual cost growth reported by major U.S. carriers.
The adjustment’s core purpose is to better align pricing with actual fulfillment costs, rewarding sellers for efficiency while moderating costs where Amazon’s internal logistics have improved.
Key Dates
- Fee Adjustments Effective: January 15, 2026
- Coupon Limit Effective: November 5, 2025
Breakdown of Key FBA Fee Changes for 2026
1. Fulfillment Fees by Size and Price Range
Amazon is introducing fine-tuned pricing tiers for standard-size products, ensuring fees are more granularly aligned with the product’s value and size.
| Product Size & Price Range | Average Change | Strategic Impact |
| Small Standard Size ($10–$50) | +$0.25 per unit | Highest increase—optimize packaging to move below the $10 bracket if possible. |
| Large Standard Size ($10–$50) | +$0.05 per unit | Moderate increase, less impactful than small standard. |
| Items under $10 (Small/Large) | +$0.12 (Small); Unchanged (Large) | Low-price FBA discount is enhanced (+$0.09), helping competitiveness. |
| Items above $50 | +$0.51 (Small); +$0.31(Large) | Factor this significant cost into your premium product pricing. |
2. Storage & Long-Term Inventory Fees
Amazon is tightening its inventory requirements, shifting the focus to per-variation stock health:
- Low-Inventory Fees: Will now be calculated at the FNSKU level (instead of the ASIN level). This means sellers must maintain healthy stock for each variation (color, size) to avoid penalties. Grocery items are exempt.
- Aged Inventory Surcharge: Fees are increasing for stagnant stock:
- 12–15 months: $\mathbf{\$0.30}$ per unit or $\mathbf{\$6.90}$ per cubic foot (whichever is higher).
- Beyond 15 months: $\mathbf{\$0.35}$ per unit or $\mathbf{\$7.90}$ per cubic foot.
- Removal Incentive: Removal and disposal fees for standard-size unsold items under 0.5 lb will drop by $\mathbf{\$0.20}$, encouraging fast stock liquidation.
3. Inbound Service and Warehouse Fees
These changes emphasize compliance and consolidation in the logistics network:
- Minimal Shipment Split: Fees will increase by $\mathbf{\$0.05}$ per unit for sellers choosing this option.
- Inbound Exception Fee: Inbound shipment error or delay fees will consolidate into a single $\mathbf{\$0.60}$ per-unit fee, replacing the complex dual-charge system.
4. Large and Extra-Large Item Updates
Amazon is refining the structure for oversized goods:
- The Large-Size Category is split into Small Large and Large Large tiers.
- Small Large items: See an average fulfillment fee reduction of $\mathbf{\$2.06}$ per unit.
- Non-SIPP (Ships in Product Packaging) products: Will face a $\mathbf{\$2.07}$ packaging cost increase.
5. Promotional and Multi-Channel Fees
- Amazon Coupons: A new $\mathbf{\$2,000}$ per-coupon limit is introduced (Nov 5, 2025), helping sellers manage marketing spend during major events like Black Friday.
- Buy with Prime (BwP): Fulfillment fees increase by an average of $\mathbf{\$0.24}$ per item, but the minimum service fee drops from $1.00 to $\mathbf{\$0.30}$ per order, benefiting low-value BwP orders.
AWD and MCF Fee Updates
Sellers utilizing Amazon Warehousing & Distribution (AWD) and Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) will see several adjustments:
| Program/Region | Change | Incentive |
| AWD Storage (West Region) | Increase to $\mathbf{\$0.57}$ per cubic foot/month | East/South regions remain at $\mathbf{\$0.48}$ |
| AWD Transportation Fees | Increase to $\mathbf{\$1.40}$ per cubic foot | |
| Smart Storage Users | 10% Discount on Storage Costs | Encourages automated inventory movement. |
| MCF Fees (1–2 item orders) | Average increase of $\mathbf{\$0.30}$per unit | Orders with 3+ items are unchanged. |
Action Plan: How to Minimize the 2026 Fee Impact
Modest fee changes can quickly erode margins for high-volume sellers. Implement these strategies now to safeguard your profitability:
- Optimize Packaging & Dimensions: Ensure your items fit into the lowest possible FBA size tier. A tiny adjustment can lead to substantial fulfillment savings.
- Manage FNSKU Inventory Health: Monitor stock levels at the variation level. Proactively restock high-demand FNSKUs to avoid the new low-inventory penalties.
- Utilize AWD Incentives: Leverage Smart Storage or regional warehousing to lock in lower long-term storage and transportation rates.
- Proactive Clearance: Take advantage of the reduced removal/disposal fees for small, slow-moving inventory (under 0.5 lb) to clear aged stock efficiently.
- Recalculate Profitability: Factor the new fulfillment and storage costs into your 2026 pricing strategy. Focus your efforts on best-selling SKUs with healthy margins and consistent turnover.
What the 2026 Adjustment Means for the Future
Amazon’s latest fee structure signals a clear move toward operational precision. Flat-rate increases are out; tailored fees that reward efficiency and healthy inventory practices are in.
For sellers, future success on Amazon will heavily depend on:
- Strategic Inventory Management
- Data-Backed Pricing
- Optimization of Packaging and Logistics
Sellers who proactively adapt will not only offset the new costs but also establish a stronger, more efficient competitive position heading into 2026.
Need expert guidance to navigate the new Amazon 2026 fee structure?
Our Amazon FBA specialists can help you optimize operations, reduce costs, and protect your profit margins. Contact us today to build a smarter, more profitable Amazon strategy for 2026 and beyond.