If you’re selling on Amazon today, nothing will stay quite the same in 2026. Amazon has
announced a series of major shifts from fee changes to fulfillment rules, payout timing, and seller tools that will affect your margins, operations, and long‑term growth strategy. These changes aren’t just incremental tweaks, they require thoughtful financial planning and strategic
adjustments if you want to stay profitable next year.
Here’s a clear breakdown of what’s coming and what it means for your business that we can help
you sort out priorly.
1. Fee Structure Changes: Small Increases & New Dynamics
Amazon has confirmed that in 2026 Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) fees in the U.S. will increase
on average by about $0.08 per unit sold, roughly less than 0.5% of an average selling price. This
is notable because it follows a 2025 year without upticks, signaling a shift toward adjusting costs
with inflation and fulfillment expenses.
But those headline figures hide important details sellers must account for:
- Size and weight tiers matter more than ever
- Product fulfillment costs vary significantly by size and price point, with larger or higher‑priced items incurring bigger increases.
- Referral fees remain unchanged in many categories, but the overall unit economics will still shift.
- New fee granularity means sellers may pay more where Amazon’s cost is higher, and less where it’s lower putting pressure on how you price and position products.
Inventory & Storage Fee Shifts
Recent analyses also predict significant new or higher inventory‑related charges, including:
- Low‑Inventory Level Fees: Applied at the item (FNSKU) level, not parent ASIN level , meaning every variation can incur extra charges if inventory is too lean.
- Aged Inventory Fees: Units stored 12+ months will be charged substantially higher monthly fees, making slow‑moving stock costly to hold
- Inbound & Defect Fees: Charges for mis‑routed or defective shipments are rising, raising the stakes for shipping accuracy and prep quality.
2. Operational Rule Changes: Prep & Labeling, Payout Policies
FBA Prep & Labeling Ends January 1, 2026
Amazon will discontinue all FBA in‑house prep services in the U.S. as of January 1, 2026. This
means:
- You (or your logistics partner) must handle all prep including labeling, bundling, bagging, before shipping inventory into Amazon.
- Prep errors could lead to inventory being marked unfulfillable or increased defect fees.
- Many sellers will need reliable 3PL partners to handle this volume cost‑effectively.
This is a big structural shift that Amazon is focusing FBA labor on receiving and fulfillment,
transferring prep responsibility (and cost) to sellers.
Reserve Timing Update with DD+7
Beginning March 12, 2026, many sellers will experience a shift in how payouts are released:
Amazon is transitioning to a “DD+7” reserve policy, meaning settlement funds become
available 7 days after confirmed delivery. This gives customers more time to receive and review
orders before funds are released to sellers.
However We can help you with:
- Setting up reliable prep processes and 3PL partnerships
- Audit your inventory for compliance with new 2026 rules
- Implement quality checks to prevent defects, mislabels, and additional charges
3. Strategic Goals We Are Adopting
Changes like fee restructuring, inventory costs, and payout adjustments aren’t just challenges, they’re opportunities to rethink your business strategy.
We work with you to:
- Build accurate financial models incorporating all 2026 changes
- Optimize inventory levels to avoid aged-stock fees while preventing stockouts
- Implement smart pricing strategies to maintain competitive margin
- Identify growth opportunities within your niche using data-backed insights
Conclusion: Navigate Change, Grow Confidently
2026 is shaping up to be a turning point in Amazon selling. Sellers who plan, adapt, and
strategize will thrive. Those who don’t risk margin erosion, inefficiencies, and lost growth
opportunities.
We help you turn these upcoming changes into a strategic advantage, from fee planning and
inventory management to operational prep and financial forecasting. Together, we make sure your Amazon business isn’t just ready for 2026, it’s positioned to grow smarter, faster, and more profitably than ever.