What changed in Amazon's FBA fee structure in 2025
Amazon's fee changes in 2025 were not announced with fanfare — they were buried in Seller Central notifications that most sellers missed. The result is that millions of FBA sellers are running on margin calculations that are months out of date.
The major changes that came into effect in early 2025:
- Fulfilment fee increases across standard size tiers — average increase of $0.10–$0.25 per unit
- Inbound placement fees made permanent — introduced as a trial in February 2024, now a fixed cost for all shipments
- Aged inventory surcharge thresholds lowered — now kicks in at 181 days instead of 271 days
- Returns processing fees expanded — more categories now attract a per-unit returns fee
- Low inventory level fee — a new fee for sellers who consistently run lean on stock
The honest truth: If you have not recalculated your landed cost since December 2024, you are almost certainly selling some products at a lower margin than you think. Run the numbers before making any pricing or catalogue decisions.
Fulfilment fees by size tier (2025 rates)
Fulfilment fees are charged per unit shipped and vary by size tier and weight. Amazon uses the greater of actual weight or dimensional weight to determine the tier.
| Size tier | Max dimensions | Weight | 2025 fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small standard | 15" × 12" × 0.75" | Up to 4 oz | $3.06 |
| Small standard | 15" × 12" × 0.75" | 4–8 oz | $3.28 |
| Small standard | 15" × 12" × 0.75" | 8–12 oz | $3.47 |
| Small standard | 15" × 12" × 0.75" | 12–16 oz | $3.59 |
| Large standard | 18" × 14" × 8" | Up to 1 lb | $4.09 |
| Large standard | 18" × 14" × 8" | 1–1.5 lb | $4.99 |
| Large standard | 18" × 14" × 8" | 1.5–2 lb | $5.29 |
| Large standard | 18" × 14" × 8" | 2–2.5 lb | $5.59 |
| Large bulky | 59" × 33" × 33" | Up to 50 lb | $9.73 + $0.42/lb over 1 lb |
| Extra-large (0–50 lb) | Over large bulky | Up to 50 lb | $26.33 + $0.38/lb over 1 lb |
A difference of a few grams or millimetres can push a product into the next size tier, adding $0.40–$1.00 per unit. At 1,000 units/month that is $4,800–$12,000 per year. Review product measurements quarterly.
Monthly and long-term storage fees
Monthly inventory storage fees
Storage fees are charged monthly based on the daily average volume (cubic feet) your inventory occupies in Amazon FCs.
| Period | Standard-size | Oversize |
|---|---|---|
| January – September | $0.78 per cubic ft | $0.56 per cubic ft |
| October – December (peak) | $2.40 per cubic ft | $1.40 per cubic ft |
The Q4 peak rate is 3× the standard rate. Sellers who let slow-moving inventory sit in Amazon warehouses from September through December pay significantly for it. Plan your liquidation strategy before October every year.
Long-term storage fees
| Storage duration | Additional fee |
|---|---|
| 181–365 days | $3.80 per cubic ft per month |
| Over 365 days | $6.90 per cubic ft per month — or $0.15 per unit (whichever greater) |
Amazon lowered the long-term storage threshold from 271 to 181 days in early 2025. Seasonal or slow-moving SKUs may now incur fees that were not in your original cost model. Check your Inventory Age report in Seller Central monthly.
Inbound placement fees — the cost most sellers underestimate
The inbound placement fee is the biggest new cost added to FBA in recent years. Introduced February 2024 and now permanent, it applies to every shipment you send to Amazon.
Amazon's fulfilment network requires your inventory distributed across multiple FCs to enable fast national delivery. Previously Amazon absorbed this cost. Now sellers pay it.
Your two options
- Minimal split: Ship to fewer locations. Higher fee ($0.27–$1.58/unit), simpler logistics.
- Amazon-optimised split: Ship to multiple Amazon-specified FCs yourself. Lower or zero fee, but your carrier costs increase.
| Size tier | Minimal split fee | Partial split fee |
|---|---|---|
| Small standard | $0.27 per unit | $0.14 per unit |
| Large standard | $0.54 per unit | $0.27 per unit |
| Large bulky | $1.08 per unit | $0.54 per unit |
| Extra-large | $1.58 per unit | $0.79 per unit |
For shipments of 500+ units per ASIN, Amazon-optimised splits often cost less than the minimal split fee — especially for large standard items. Run the calculation per shipment, not just once at setup.
Returns processing fees
The returns processing fee is charged when a customer returns a product Amazon determines is not resaleable. In 2025, Amazon expanded the categories subject to this fee. Sellers in apparel, shoes, jewellery, watches, luggage, handbags and sunglasses now face a returns fee equal to the original fulfilment fee — effectively doubling your cost on every return in these categories.
For all other categories, the fee only applies when your returns rate exceeds a category-specific threshold. Check your Return Insights dashboard in Seller Central monthly.
Aged inventory surcharge (low inventory level fee)
Amazon introduced a low inventory level fee for sellers who consistently hold less stock than historical demand warrants. It applies when both:
- Fewer than 28 days of supply on average over the past 30 days
- Fewer than 28 days of supply on average over the past 90 days
| Size tier | Low inventory level fee |
|---|---|
| Small standard | $0.89 per unit |
| Large standard | $0.97 per unit |
Your true cost per unit — a real example
A large standard item (500g, 16" × 11" × 3") sold at $34.99 on Amazon.com:
That 5.5 percentage point difference, across 500 units per month, is over $960 in margin lost every month. This is why recalculating your cost model with current rates is urgent, not optional.
5 ways to reduce your Amazon FBA fees in 2025
1. Audit your size tiers quarterly
Request Amazon's free measurement service for any product borderline between two tiers. A packaging change of a few millimetres can save $0.40–$1.00 per unit — at 1,000 units/month, that is $4,800–$12,000 per year.
2. Use Amazon-optimised inbound splits for high-volume ASINs
For any ASIN shipping more than 300 units at a time, run the maths on shipping to multiple FCs vs paying the minimal split fee. Splitting yourself is almost always cheaper at scale.
3. Set inventory reorder points to avoid low-inventory fees
Keep at least 30 days of supply at Amazon FCs at all times for any product with consistent velocity. Set reorder alerts at 35 days of supply to give yourself buffer.
4. Run aged inventory liquidations before the 181-day threshold
Set a monthly calendar reminder to check your Inventory Age report. Any ASIN approaching 150 days should trigger a review — price reduction, lightning deal, or removal order.
5. Review your returns rate by category
If you sell in expanded returns processing fee categories, your returns rate directly impacts profitability. Review returns data monthly and address root causes — usually a listing accuracy issue or product quality problem.
The bottom line: Amazon FBA is still the most powerful fulfilment network in the world. But the days of setting up a product and forgetting about fees are over. Sellers who stay on top of fee changes and actively manage their cost structure will compound their advantage over those who do not.
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