Amazon Adds 5% ‘Fuel and Inflation Surcharge’ for Sellers

Amazon said today it will add a 5% “fuel and inflation surcharge” to fees it charges third-party sellers who use its fulfillment services.

The Seattle-based company said on its website that the added fees, which take effect April 28, are “subject to change” and will apply to both apparel and non-apparel items.

The news follows an increase in fees announced in November, which came into effect in January.

The company said its costs have gone up since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic due to increases in hourly wages, the hiring of workers and construction of new warehouses. The e-commerce firm said it had absorbed costs whenever possible, and increased fees to address permanent costs and to be competitive with other providers.

Amazon’s third-party marketplace has more than 2 million sellers. They are responsible for half the goods sold on Amazon.com.