Amazon Cuts European Referral and FBA Fees for 2026, Saving Sellers Up to £0.15 Per Unit
Amazon will overhaul European referral and FBA fees, delivering an average saving of £0.15 per unit. Fulfilment fees drop by £0.26 per unit and referral rates fall to 5‑10% for items ≤£20. The first wave starts 15 Mar 2025 and the second wave begins 1 Jan 2026.
Overview
Amazon announced a comprehensive fee overhaul for its European marketplaces that will take effect throughout 2026. The changes lower both referral and Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) charges, delivering an average saving of about £0.15 (≈ €0.17) per unit sold. Sellers should pay close attention because the adjustments reshape profitability for low‑priced items and alter cost structures across most categories.
Key Points
- Average unit savings — Sellers can expect roughly £0.15 (≈ €0.17) less in total fees per sold unit after all changes take effect.
- FBA fulfilment cut — Parcel‑level fulfilment fees drop by an average of £0.26 (≈ €0.32) per unit, extending the reductions first rolled out in 2025.
- Referral fee overhaul — Key categories see rates fall from 15 % to between 5 % and 10 %, especially for products priced under £20.
- Low‑price FBA expansion — The reduced‑rate FBA program now applies to items up to £20 (≈ €20), delivering an extra £0.40 (≈ €0.45) saving per newly eligible unit.
- Variable fee caps lowered — New caps are set at £200 in the UK, €300 in one major EU market, and €100 in several others, trimming costs for high‑value inventory.
- Selective fee increases — Monthly storage, return‑to‑seller, and liquidation fees rise modestly, adding about £0.02 (≈ €0.02) per unit to overall costs.
What's Changing
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FBA fulfilment fees reduced — Parcel fulfilment charges will be cut by an average of £0.26 per unit. For example, a seller shipping a 500 g gadget to Germany will see the fulfilment fee fall from £1.20 to £0.94.
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Referral fee percentages trimmed — In the first wave, items priced ≤ £15 move from an 8 % to a 5 % referral rate, while those between £15‑£20 shift from 15 % to 10 %. A £12 kitchen accessory that previously cost £0.96 in referral fees will now cost £0.60.
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Second‑wave referral cuts — Beginning 1 January 2026, additional categories drop from 15 % to 8 % for items up to £20, and from 15 % to 5 % for items under £10. A £9 toy that once incurred a £1.35 referral fee will now be charged £0.45.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
The reductions lower total per‑unit costs from £2.16 to £1.56 for a £12 item, freeing up £0.60 of margin. Expanded low‑price FBA now covers items up to £20, adding a £0.40 saving per unit. Variable fee caps are tightened, cutting fees on high‑value items by up to £100.
Key Takeaways
- FBA fulfilment fees are cut by an average of £0.26 per unit, e.g., a 500 g gadget in Germany falls from £1.20 to £0.94.
- Referral fees for items ≤£20 drop to 5‑10%, moving a £12 accessory from 8% (£0.96) to 5% (£0.60).
- Low‑price FBA tier now applies to products up to £20, delivering an extra £0.40 saving per eligible unit.
- Variable fee caps are lowered to £200 (UK), €300 (major EU market) and €100 (others), reducing a £300 watch fee exposure by £100.
Recommended Actions
- →Log into Seller Central > Settings > Fees > FBA Fees and update your cost model with the new £0.26 fulfilment reduction.
- →Run the Fee Preview tool (available 15 Mar 2025) for all SKUs priced ≤£20 to capture the new 5‑10% referral rates.
- →Adjust inventory for high‑value items by checking the Variable Fee Cap settings under Seller Central > Reports > Payments to ensure caps are applied.
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