Strategic Update
10 Major Amazon FBA
Changes in 2026
Contrast with 2025: From "Stabilization" to "Refined Segmentation".
Prepare your supply chain for the Jan 15th updates.
FBA Fees: The 'Thaw' & Slight Increase
2025: Frozen vs 2026: +$0.08 Avg
After a 2025 fee freeze, 2026 resumes with a modest hike (~$0.08/unit), ending the pause.
- Official: Increase is 'less than 0.5% of average selling price'.
- Effective: Jan 15, 2026.
Standard Size: Granular Segmentation
2026: Price-Band Based Hikes
Costs re-aligned via precise price-bands (<$10, $10-50, $50+) rather than new fee types.
- Small Standard >$50: +$0.51 increase.
- Sub $10 Items: Varied increases (+$0.12 for small std).
- Strategy: 'Precision Pricing' over blanket hikes.
Inbound Placement: Service Fee Hike
2025: Stable vs 2026: Higher & Segmented
Fees rise ~$0.05/unit for Standard sizes, pushing sellers toward 'Minimal Splits' or optimized plans.
- Incentivizes 'Amazon-friendly' distribution shipments.
- New product waivers are evolving; stricter for established SKUs.
Low-Inventory Fee: Scope Expansion
2026: Covers Bulky | Grocery Exempt
Granularity increases; now officially covers Small Bulky & Large Bulky items.
- Effective Jan 15, 2026.
- Algorithm refined to give sellers more control.
- Remains a key tool to force stock hygiene.
Aged Inventory: The '15-Month' Wall
New Tier: >15 Months (Huge Surcharge)
New, stricter tier for inventory aged 15+ months. The cost of holding old stock just jumped.
- Rate: Greater of $0.35/unit or $7.90/ft³.
- Effective Jan 16, 2026.
- Clear Signal: Clear old stock faster.
Disposal & Removal: Exit Costs Rise
2026: Higher Exit Barriers
The cost to 'give up' increases. Removal, liquidation, and disposal fees are re-adjusted upward.
- Orders before Jan 15, 2026 honored at old rates.
- Forces better forecasting to avoid removal needs.
Official Prep Service: TERMINATED
2025: Available vs 2026: ENDED (Jan 1)
Amazon strictly ends the FBA Label & Prep Service. You must prep yourself or use a 3PL.
- Massive Operational Change: No more 'Amazon will do it'.
- Applies to FBA, AWD, AGL, and SEND inflows.
AWD: Regional Pricing Structure
2026: Regional Differentials
Amazon Warehousing & Distribution (AWD) shifts to regional/differential pricing (West Coast focus).
- West region storage fees adjusted.
- Supply chain costs are becoming location-dependent.
MCF: Price Hike + Prime Offset
2026: +$0.30/unit vs New Incentives
Multi-Channel Fulfillment fees up ~$0.30/unit. New 'Preferred Pricing' offers discounts to offset.
- Introduction of 'Preferred Pricing' (up to 15% off).
- $1.00 FBA fee credit incentive for high volume users.
Profit Analytics: Embedded Visibility
2026: Native Profit Tools
Amazon integrates 'Unit Economics' directly into Seller Central tools for earlier visibility.
- Revenue Calculator syncs with Fee Preview.
- Goal: Transparency before you ship.
Executive Summary
"While 2025 focused on stability and simplification, 2026 pivots to modest increases, granular segmentation, and structural supply chain adjustments."