Amazon has announced that it will be implementing a 3.5 per cent fuel surcharge on fulfillment fees for sellers in Canada and the U.S. This surcharge will affect those utilizing the Fulfillment by Amazon program, which allows sellers to delegate packing and shipping to Amazon’s fulfillment warehouses. The surcharge is set to take effect on April 17 for sellers with an online Amazon storefront in the United States and Canada.
Additionally, sellers enrolled in Amazon’s Multi-Channel Fulfillment program, designed for those selling through non-Amazon channels such as personal websites, will see a similar surcharge starting on May 2.
According to an Amazon spokesperson, the decision to introduce the fuel surcharge is a response to increased fuel and logistics costs within the industry. The company had previously absorbed these rising costs but is now implementing temporary surcharges, similar to other major carriers, to help offset these expenses. The spokesperson emphasized Amazon’s commitment to supporting its selling partners’ success and ensuring a wide selection of products at competitive prices for customers.
Following a global energy crisis triggered by the U.S. and Israel’s actions against Iran, several consumer service providers have begun adding fuel surcharges to their pricing structures. Iran’s response, including the closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz, has disrupted the flow of approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas.