Amazon Increases Fulfillment Fees for Independent Sellers

Core Insights - Amazon is set to increase its fulfillment fees for independent sellers on its eCommerce platform starting next year, with an average increase of $0.08 per unit sold, which is less than 0.5% of an average item's selling price [2][3] Fee Changes - The increase in Referral and Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) fees follows a period of no fee increases in 2025, and sellers will have at least 90 days to prepare for these changes [2] - The company emphasizes that the fee changes are significantly lower than inflation and the 3.9%-5.9% annual cost increases from other major U.S. carriers over the past two years [3] Operational Efficiency - Amazon has focused on driving innovation and efficiencies to keep costs down, which has allowed for lower fee increases [3] - The company has made investments in improved forecasting, inventory placement, automation, and returns features to enhance service and add value [3][4] Seller Support Tools - Amazon is providing tools such as a revenue calculator and a profit analytics dashboard to help sellers understand how fee changes will impact their businesses [4][5] - The company aims to minimize operational burdens and costs for sellers, with no new FBA fee types introduced in 2026 [4] Market Context - The rise of artificial intelligence in eCommerce is presenting new challenges for sellers, with projections indicating that ChatGPT will handle approximately 20 billion shopping-related messages this year [5] - The previous holiday season saw global retail sales reach $1.2 trillion, with a notable increase in AI engagement, but also raised concerns about fraud and consumer trust [6]