Amazon has announced several fee changes that will soon affect FBA sellers in the U.S. Among the most impactful to brands will be adjustments to fulfillment fees, which will increase by about 2-3% on average. In addition to these changes, Amazon also announced reductions in certain fees, which the company says reflects feedback received from sellers. To help you better understand these adjustments and how they will impact your brand, we’ve compiled and detailed the most important Amazon FBA fee changes that will take effect on June 1, 2021.
JUMP TO SECTION:
2021 FBA Fulfillment Fee Changes
2021 Amazon Referral and Program Fee Changes
2021 FBA Returns Processing Fee Changes
2021 FBA New Selection Program Changes
2021 FBA Small and Light Fee Changes
2021 FBA Fulfillment Fee Changes
Among the most important upcoming changes will be increases to Amazon’s FBA fulfillment fees, which are divided into Non-Apparel and Apparel via the two tables below.
Core FBA Fulfillment Fees (Non-Apparel):
1Lithium batteries and items that contain or are sold with them incur an additional $0.11 per-unit fulfillment fee.
2Due to removal of the packaging weight adjustments, items previously in the 1+ to 2 lb. size tier ($4.90) now fall in the 12+ to 16 oz tier (small standard – $3.32, large standard – $4.25).
FBA Fulfillment Fees Changes for Apparel:
Amazon Referral and Program Fee Changes
Amazon provides tools and programs to help brands access more customers worldwide through the Amazon store. Amazon referral fees cover some of the costs associated with these programs while reflecting broader industry trends. To help minimize your up-front costs, Amazon charges referral fees only when you make a sale. Referral fees are based on the total sales price, which includes the item price and any shipping or gift wrap charges. Below is the full list of Amazon referral and program fee changes that will take effect June 1, 2021:
Referral Fee Changes
- Full-Size Appliances
Starting June 1, 2021, Amazon will split Appliances into Full-Size and Compact categories, and lower the fee for Full-Size Appliances to 8% while keeping the fee for the Compact category unchanged. - Personal Computers
Starting June 1, 2021, Amazon will raise the referral fee for the Personal Computers category from 6% to 8% to align with other electronic device categories. - Veterinary Diets
Starting June 1, 2021, Amazon will implement a supplemental 7% fee increase in the new Veterinary Diets pet food category (see Veterinary Diets FAQs), bringing the new referral fee to 22% for this sub-category of pet products. This fee increase covers the cost of maintaining the veterinarian confirmation process for Veterinary Diets, including the cost for a licensed veterinary service provider. The referral fee percentage will remain at 15% for all other pet products.
Program Fee Changes
- Renewed Program
Starting June 1, 2021, in addition to standard category referral fees, products sold within the Amazon Renewed program will be charged a Renewed program fee depending on the category. Renewed cell phone devices and unlocked cell phones will be charged 2% on top of standard category referral fees. All other Renewed products will be charged 1% on top of standard category referral fees.
2021 FBA Returns Processing Fee Changes
Amazon will reduce the returns processing fee for customer-returned products in the Apparel and Shoe categories. Amazon will eliminate the returns processing fee for customer-returned products in the Watches, Jewelry, Luggage, Handbags, and Sunglasses categories. The full list of FBA Returns Processing Fee changes is detailed in the two tables below:
Apparel and Shoes:
Watches, Jewelry, Luggage, Handbags, and Sunglasses:
FBA New Selection Program
Last April, Amazon announced the FBA New Selection program. Since then, more than 60,000 enrolled sellers have sent over 680,000 new-to-FBA ASINs to fulfillment centers. In response to the feedback Amazon has received, the company announced it is expanding the program for 2021. The new benefits are included below:
- Oversize Item Eligibility
On April 1, 2021, for up to 30 units per parent ASIN, Amazon began providing free storage for up to 90 days and free removals for up to 180 days for eligible oversize items. - No ASIN Limit
On April 1, 2021, Amazon removed the 500-ASIN limit, allowing an unlimited amount of eligible, new-to-FBA parent ASINs to qualify for program benefits. - Improved Benefits for Apparel and Shoes
On April 1, 2021, for eligible standard-size ASINs in the Apparel and Shoe categories, Amazon increased the free storage benefit from 50 units to 100 units per parent ASIN and extend the storage fee waiver duration from 90 days to 120 days. In addition, Amazon increased the free removals benefit from 50 units to 100 units per parent ASIN for 180 days. Eligibility for the customer returns processing fee waiver will be extended from 120 days to 180 days, and the waiver will apply to 20 units instead of 50 units per parent ASIN. - Sponsored Ads
On April 1, 2021, Amazon began offering up to $200 in sponsored ads promotional clicks and free advertising campaign creation for new-to-FBA sellers.
*All fee waiver benefits are tracked from the date the ASIN is first received at a fulfillment center.
FBA Small and Light Fee Changes
On June 1, 2021, the following FBA Small and Light program fee changes will take effect, unless otherwise noted:
- The weight limit for FBA Small and Light will increase from 10 to 12 oz.
- The size limit of the longest side will increase from 16 to 18 inches, median side from 9 to 14 inches, and shortest side from 4 to 8 inches.
- Amazon will eliminate the packaging weight adjustment to the rate card calculation.
- Amazon will align its product size tiers with the upcoming changes to core FBA for standard-size products 12 oz and below, while offering lower fulfillment fees compared to core FBA.
- Amazon will continue charging $0.10 per unit for the optional FBA Label Service for Small and Light items.
- Unless otherwise specified, Amazon will continue to charge all other fees (examples include storage fees, removal, and disposal fees) as core FBA.
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