Amazon will be implementing a 3.5% fuel surcharge on fulfillment fees for sellers in the United States and Canada, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the popular e-commerce company to CBC News on Thursday. The surcharge is set to affect sellers enrolled in the Fulfillment by Amazon program, allowing them to delegate packing and shipping tasks to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. Starting from April 17, this surcharge will be applied to online Amazon storefronts operating in the mentioned countries.
Moreover, sellers utilizing Amazon’s Multi-Channel Fulfillment program, designed for those with non-Amazon sales channels such as personal websites, will also face a surcharge starting on May 2. The company spokesperson explained that rising fuel and logistics expenses have escalated operational costs industry-wide. Amazon had previously absorbed these cost hikes but has now decided to introduce temporary surcharges, aligning with other major carriers, to offset these additional expenses.
The spokesperson emphasized Amazon’s dedication to the success of its selling partners and maintaining a wide product selection and competitive prices for customers. In recent weeks, several prominent companies offering consumer services have introduced fuel surcharges to their pricing structures amid a global energy crisis triggered by events like the U.S. and Israel’s actions against Iran. Iran’s response, including the closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passageway for a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas, has contributed to the ongoing energy challenges.