Navigating the 2026 Amazon Fee Updates: A Survival Guide for Sellers

Amazon recently announced its 2026 fee updates for US Referral and Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). While the headline suggests a modest average increase of $0.08 per unit, the reality for most sellers is more nuanced. Effective January 15, 2026, these changes introduce a more "granular" fee structure designed to reward inventory efficiency while passing on the costs of complex handling. Here is a breakdown of what you need to know to protect your margins this year:

1. Core FBA Fulfillment Fee Changes

Fulfillment costs are shifting based on product price points and size tiers. While Amazon held fees flat in 2025, the 2026 adjustments target higher-priced and standard-sized items:

• Under $10 (Low-Price FBA): Small standard units will see an increase of about $0.08 to $0.12, but Large standard units remain unchanged. To support this tier, Amazon is increasing the low-price discount to $0.86 (up from $0.77)

  
  

• $10 – $50 Tier: Fees for Small standard units will rise about $0.25 to $0.28, while Large standard units see a minor $0.05 bump

  
  

• Over $50 Tier: Premium products face the steepest hikes—$0.51 for Small standard and $0.31 for Large standard—reflecting the "higher level of service" required for expensive goods

It appears these fulfillment fee changes do not affect the Holiday Peak Fulfillment Fee rates from October 15 - January 14th that Amazon has had in place for years, bringing the fulfillment rates for the rest of the year, closer to the October 15th - January 14th seasonal increase.

2. The Shift to "Bulky" and SIPP

Amazon is retiring the "Large Bulky" tier in favor of two new categories: Small Bulky and Large Bulky. The SIPP Factor: If your bulky products are not certified for the Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP) program, you will now face a new packaging fee averaging $2.07 per unit. However, if you are SIPP-certified, you may actually see a net reduction in fees for bulky items.

3. Inventory & Inbound Efficiency

Amazon is tightening the screws on how inventory enters and stays in their network:

• Low-Inventory-Level Fee: This is now calculated at the FNSKU level (instead of parent ASIN), ensuring you aren't penalized for other sellers' stockouts
  

• Aged Inventory: Surcharges for items aged 12–15 months increase to $0.30 per unit, and a new tier for 15+ months hits $0.35 per unit
  

• Inbound Defects: A flat $0.60 per unit fee now applies to shipments that are late, abandoned, or misrouted, replacing the previous fragmented fee system

4. Beyond the Marketplace: MCF and Buy with Prime

If you sell off-Amazon, your costs are also changing:

• Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF): Average increase of $0.30 per unit, primarily affecting 1- and 2-unit orders
  

• Buy with Prime: Fulfillment fees will increase by $0.24 per unit on average, though the Prime service fee minimum is dropping from $1.00 to $0.30

Action Plan for 2026

1. Audit Your Catalog: Use the updated Revenue Calculator and the new Profit Analytics dashboard in Seller Central to see the exact impact on your top SKUs and make sure Amazon has the correct weight and dimension values for your SKUs as this is the most effective way to avoid overpaying for fulfillment fees. 
   

2. Optimize Packaging: With the new Bulky tiers and SIPP requirements, reducing package dimensions is the fastest way to lower your fulfillment bracket.
   

3. Monitor FNSKU Health: Track your inventory levels specifically at the FNSKU level to avoid the revised Low-Inventory-Level fees.
   

4. Review MCF Eligibility: Check if you qualify for the new Preferred Pricing for MCF, which can offer up to a 15% discount.