Overview

Amazon FBA fees represent one of the largest controllable costs for third-party sellers, yet many fail to actively manage them. The layered fee structure — spanning fulfillment charges, monthly storage rates, aged inventory surcharges, and inbound placement fees — rewards sellers who plan strategically. Optimizing these costs can deliver meaningful margin improvements without giving up the operational advantages that make FBA worthwhile.

Why FBA Fees Deserve Ongoing Attention

Beyond the standard selling plan and referral fees, FBA layers on fulfillment charges based on product weight and dimensional size, with pricing tiers that favor smaller, lighter items. Storage fees are assessed monthly based on cubic footage occupied in Amazon's warehouse network, and rates spike during Q4 when space is scarce. Sellers also face aged inventory surcharges for products stored beyond 181 days, returns processing fees, removal costs, and inbound placement service fees. Together, these create strong financial pressure to keep inventory lean and fast-moving.

Tighten Your Inventory Management

Overstocking is the most common and expensive FBA mistake. Excess inventory inflates monthly storage fees and triggers aged inventory surcharges that silently erode margins. Many sellers overestimate demand or overlook seasonal patterns, leaving capital tied up in slow-moving products.

The solution is disciplined demand forecasting and dynamic reorder points. Target inventory levels between 28 and 90 days of supply — enough to prevent stockouts that damage sales velocity and search ranking, but lean enough to avoid premium storage costs. Amazon's built-in FBA inventory tools can help you monitor stock levels across fulfillment centers and flag products approaching long-term storage thresholds before surcharges apply.

Plan Restocks Around Seasonal Storage Rates

Amazon's storage rates climb significantly during peak season, particularly October through December. Sellers who ignore this pricing calendar often see margins compress during what should be their most profitable quarter.

Build inventory during lower-rate months and maintain leaner stock during peak pricing windows. For slow-moving SKUs, consider submitting removal orders before long-term storage fees hit. Aligning your purchasing and shipping calendar with Amazon's rate schedule ensures you aren't paying premium warehouse costs unnecessarily.