Amazon Hits 3rd-Party Sellers With 3.5% Surcharge

Move comes as Iran war pushes fuel prices up

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:00am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a stack of Amazon shipping boxes made from polished raw materials and clean geometric shapes, arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic seamless background. The objects use sharp, dramatic studio lighting and deep shadows to represent the abstract corporate strategy and financial impacts of rising fuel costs.As the war in Iran continues to drive up fuel prices, Amazon's new surcharge on third-party sellers reflects the broader supply chain challenges facing the e-commerce industry.Seattle Today

Amazon is implementing a 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge on third-party sellers using its platform starting on April 17, citing elevated costs in fuel and logistics due to the ongoing war in Iran. The temporary charge will apply to sellers using Amazon's Fulfillment by Amazon, Buy with Prime, and Multi-Channel Fulfillment options.

Why it matters

This surcharge is part of a broader trend of major carriers and shipping companies passing on increased fuel and logistics costs to their customers and partners as the Iran war continues to drive up energy prices. It reflects the significant impact the conflict is having on the global supply chain and e-commerce industry.

The details

Amazon said it has absorbed these cost increases so far, but similar to other major carriers, it is now implementing a temporary surcharge to partially recover the elevated fuel and logistics expenses. The 3.5% surcharge will apply to third-party sellers in the US and Canada using Amazon's fulfillment services, starting on April 17. On May 2, the surcharge will also take effect for sellers using the Buy with Prime and Multi-Channel Fulfillment options.

  • The fuel and logistics surcharge will take effect on April 17 for many third-party sellers using Amazon's fulfillment services.
  • On May 2, the surcharge will also apply to sellers using the Buy with Prime and Multi-Channel Fulfillment options.

The players

Amazon

The e-commerce giant that operates an online marketplace platform and provides fulfillment services for third-party sellers.

United Parcel Service (UPS)

A major global shipping and logistics company that has also increased its fuel surcharges in response to rising energy costs.

FedEx

Another major global shipping and logistics company that has implemented fuel surcharges amid the ongoing war in Iran.

United States Postal Service (USPS)

The national postal service that announced an 8% fuel surcharge on packages starting April 26, 2026, which will remain in place until January 17, 2027.

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What they’re saying

“Elevated costs in fuel and logistics have increased the cost of operating across the industry.”

— Amazon

“We remain committed to our selling partners' success and to maintaining broad selection and low prices for customers.”

— Amazon

The takeaway

This surcharge highlights the significant impact the ongoing war in Iran is having on the global supply chain and e-commerce industry, as major companies like Amazon, UPS, FedEx, and USPS are forced to pass on increased fuel and logistics costs to their customers and partners.