Amazon adds ‘fuel surcharge’ to seller fees amid global energy crisis

Amazon is charging sellers a new “fuel surcharge” as geopolitical tensions in Iran push global energy prices higher. The company didn’t specify how much the surcharge will be or which sellers it affects, only that it’s temporary—though it offered no timeline for when it will end.

The move mirrors similar fees Amazon has imposed during past supply chain disruptions. In 2022, the company added surcharges tied to inflation and fuel costs, which lingered for months longer than originally suggested.

Third-party sellers who use Amazon’s fulfillment network already pay storage fees, referral commissions, and fulfillment charges that eat into margins. This new fee adds another layer of costs at a time when many sellers are already struggling with tighter profits.

Amazon hasn’t detailed the surcharge’s structure or provided examples of how it will appear on seller invoices. The company only confirmed the policy exists and blamed external market conditions—the same reasoning it used for past fee increases.