Fuel surcharge: Amazon increases fees from May 12, 2022

As an online retailer, you're used to it: fees are increased from time to time. Once again, the FBA fees are about to be increased - Amazon calls it a "fuel surcharge". Read on to find out what to expect and when the new prices will apply.

New prices - these online retailers are affected

Amazon is levying a surcharge for the first time - the so-called fuel surcharge for FBA shipping fees. This will apply from May 12, 2022, and the surcharge will be justified:

1. with increased costs because Amazon has adapted its warehousing and shipping processes: The Group has more than doubled its shipping capacity and opened over 250 new logistics centers, sorting centers, regional air hubs and delivery stations since the start of the pandemic.
2. with the rise in fuel prices and inflation triggered by the war in Ukraine.

The new surcharge applies to online retailers from Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom - including you! Prerequisite: You use the Fulfillment by Amazon program for storage and shipping.

This is how high the surcharge is

The fuel surcharge is 4.3 percent on top of the current charges per unit. This will increase shipping fees by an average of 13 cents per unit if you use Amazon shipping. You can find the exact prices here read more.

Amazon had already increased the fees for FBA merchants for local and pan-European shipping at the beginning of the year. In addition, there have been new size and weight categories since March 31, 2022. This has already meant that you, as an online retailer, have to pay more in certain cases. This time, however, Amazon emphasizes that this is not a permanent increase.

It is more than uncertain whether it will really not become permanently more expensive and whether further adjustments will be made. Amazon doesn't know either and "apologizes":

"In 2022, we expected a return to normality as COVID-19 restrictions were eased worldwide. However, fuel prices and inflation have brought new challenges. It is still unclear whether these inflationary costs will rise or fall or how long they will persist."

As is currently the case in so many places, you probably have no choice but to accept the adjustments.