Amazon FBA Shipping and Storage Fees Guide

FBA Shipping Fees

Amazon FBA fees are calculated based on several factors, including product size, weight, destination country, and shipping speed. The fees are structured to cover the costs of storing, picking, packing, and shipping products to customers.

Key components of FBA shipping fees include:

• Shipping Fees: Based on unit dimensions and weight, with different rates for standard, expedited, and special handling (e.g., oversized items).
• Pan-European Shipping Surcharges: Additional fees may apply for cross-border shipments within Europe, depending on the product category and shipping route.
• Low-Inventory Storage Fee: Applies when inventory levels are below a certain threshold, reflecting the cost of managing low-stock items.
• Oversized Item Surcharges: Higher fees for products that exceed standard size limits.
• SIPP (Shipped in Own Packaging) Discount: Reduced fees for products that can be shipped in their original packaging without additional Amazon fulfillment packaging.

Detailed rate tables are provided for various shipping scenarios, including:

• Expedited by Amazon at Low Price (Service Local and Pan-European)
• Expedited by Amazon Standard (National, MCI, Pan-European, EFN)
• Expedited by Amazon Standard (UK-specific, Ireland-specific)

FBA Storage Fees

Storage fees are charged monthly based on the volume of inventory stored in Amazon fulfillment centers. Fees vary by product size, storage duration, and time of year.

• Monthly Storage Fees: Calculated per cubic meter or cubic foot, varying by product category and season (e.g., January-September vs. October-December).
• Storage Utilization Surcharge: An additional fee applied to sellers who exceed a certain storage utilization rate, calculated based on the ratio of stored inventory to shipped volume over a 13-week period.
• Aged Inventory Surcharge: Fees applied to inventory that has been stored for extended periods (e.g., over 241 days), encouraging faster inventory turnover.

Optional Services

Amazon offers various optional services to assist sellers with their fulfillment process. Fees are typically charged per unit:

• Returns to Seller, Disposal, and Liquidation: Fees for handling returned items, including processing, disposal, or liquidation.
• FBA Preparation Services: Services such as labeling, poly bagging, bubble wrap, and opaque bagging to prepare products for Amazon fulfillment.
• High Returns Rate Processing Fees: Additional fees for products with a high return rate to cover the operational costs associated with returns.

Commission on Sales

Amazon charges a commission on sale for each item sold, which varies by product category. These fees are calculated based on the selling price of the item.

The commission rates are detailed for various product categories, including electronics, automotive, beauty, books, clothing, and more. Minimum commission fees may apply.

Multi-Site Fulfillment (MCF)

This section details fees for orders fulfilled through Amazon's Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) service, which allows sellers to fulfill orders from sales channels outside of Amazon. Fees are calculated similarly to FBA, based on shipping, storage, and optional services.

• MCF Shipping Fees: Calculated based on destination country, shipping speed (standard/expedited), and unit size/weight, with different rates for local and cross-border shipments within Europe.
• MCF Storage Fees: Similar to FBA storage fees, charged monthly based on inventory volume and duration.
• MCF Optional Services: Fees for services like returns, labeling, and preparation for MCF orders.

Specific rate tables are provided for MCF shipments within the UK and for cross-border shipments within the EU.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The document includes a FAQ section addressing common queries regarding FBA fees, storage, returns, and program specifics. Key topics covered include:

• Eligibility for additional fees beyond shipping and storage.
• Calculation of storage fees and pan-European surcharges.
• Return processing fees and their application.
• Impact of product categories on shipping fees.
• Benefits of the Pan-European FBA program and EFN.
• Handling of damaged or lost inventory.
• Customer service provided by Amazon for FBA orders.
• Requirements for preparing and shipping inventory to fulfillment centers.
• Fiscal implications of international sales and VAT obligations.

References

Useful links are provided for further information, including:

• Seller Central for detailed fee information and supplementary resources.
• Seller Forums for community discussions.
• Seller Support for assistance.
• Revenue Calculator for cost comparisons.