Overview

Amazon will raise its Fulfilled‑by‑Amazon (FBA) fees for the first time since the 2024 update, with changes taking effect on January 15 2026. The average increase of $0.08 per unit hides larger jumps for certain product categories, a dramatic escalation in inbound defect penalties, and the termination of Amazon’s own prep and labeling services on March 1 2026. Sellers who rely on FBA need to understand the new cost structure and adjust operations before the deadlines arrive.

Key Points

• Uneven per‑unit fee hikes — Small standard‑size items in the $10–$50 price band will see fees rise between $0.12 and $0.51 per unit, while large standard‑size SKUs face increases of $0.05 to $0.31.
• Inbound defect penalties soar — Charges for non‑compliant shipments jump from $0.02–$0.07 to $0.32–$1.74 per unit for standard items, and up to $5.72 per unit for bulky products.
• Amazon ends prep services — Effective March 1 2026, the marketplace will no longer offer labeling, bagging, or other prep work, forcing sellers to ship inventory fully ready for receipt.
• Multi‑Channel Fulfillment (MCF) fees rise — All MCF tiers gain a flat $0.30 per‑unit surcharge, and the “Buy with Prime” program adds $0.24 per unit.
• Low‑inventory fees move to SKU level — Instead of calculating at the parent‑ASIN level, Amazon will assess fees per individual FNSKU, rewarding balanced stock across each variant.

How the New Fee Structure Works

1. Revised fulfillment fee schedule — Amazon applies a tiered increase based on item size and price range. For example, a small standard‑size toy priced at $25 will now cost $0.38 more per unit to fulfill, while a large kitchen appliance priced at $120 will incur an extra $0.22 per unit.
2. Defect fee recalibration — The platform multiplies the base defect charge by a factor of 10 to 25, depending on the product class. A shipment of 5,000 standard‑size books that previously incurred $0.04 per‑unit penalties will now be charged $0.96 per unit if any labeling error is detected.
3. Removal of Amazon‑provided prep — Sellers must ensure every pallet arrives with correct labeling, poly‑bagging, and any required prep work already completed. A seller who previously sent unbagged cosmetics to Amazon will now need to either bag them in‑house or contract a third‑party prep center, otherwise each non‑compliant unit could trigger a $0.45 defect fee.