Overview

Amazon raised its inbound defect fees on January 15 2026, turning the FBA Inbound Performance Dashboard from a convenience into a critical daily monitor. Penalties now reach $5.72 per oversize unit for repeated violations, a steep jump from the former $0.02‑$0.07 range, and can quickly erode profit margins if left unchecked. Sellers who track their inbound compliance in real time can avoid these escalating costs and protect their bottom line.

Key Points

• Escalating fee tiers — A single defect fee now climbs from $0.32 for a first‑time standard‑size issue to $1.74 for chronic non‑compliance, and up to $5.72 for repeat oversize violations.
• Automatic remediation charge — When Amazon fixes a defect on a seller’s behalf, it imposes a $0.60 per‑unit fee, and any damaged inventory may be unreimbursed.
• Five defect categories — The dashboard flags labeling, packaging, prep compliance, box‑content accuracy, and routing errors, each displayed with shipment ID, fulfillment center, and detection date.
• Trend‑analysis tools — Sellers can filter defect rates by SKU, fulfillment center, or week, allowing them to spot recurring problems before they trigger higher fee tiers.
• Account coaching levels — Amazon assigns alert tiers based on violation frequency; moving into a higher tier automatically activates the steeper penalty schedule.
• Third‑party liability evidence — The dashboard timestamps every defect, giving sellers concrete proof when disputing errors caused by 3PL or prep partners.

How the Inbound Performance Dashboard Works

1. Data capture at receiving — When a fulfillment center scans an incoming shipment, it logs any discrepancy (e.g., a missing FNSKU label on a 12‑oz coffee mug). The dashboard then lists the shipment ID, center code, and the exact defect type.
2. Fee calculation and display — Amazon applies the appropriate per‑unit fee based on the defect’s history; for example, a second‑time labeling error on a standard‑size item triggers a $1.02 charge per unit, which appears beside the defect entry.