Amazon hits US sellers with a 5 percent fuel and inflation surcharge

Amazon will charge a fuel and inflation fee for the first time. The Fulfillment by Amazon service will add fees to what it already collects from third-party sellers starting on April 28th. Amazon raised its fulfillment fees by an average of around 5 percent in January.

In an email sent to sellers, Amazon said it has experienced significant cost increases and absorbed them, wherever possible, to reduce the impact on its sellers. When it raised its fulfillment fees earlier this year, the company said it more than doubled its US fulfillment capacity, hired over 628,000 people and increased its starting wage in the US. It raised its fulfillment fees to make up for its higher operating costs.

Inflation in the US surged to 8.5 percent in March from the same period last year, according to a statement from Amazon. Gas prices reached new heights after Russia invaded Ukraine.

The fuel and inflation surcharge was imposed by Amazon because it was unclear if the inflationary costs would go up or down, or if they would persist. Some sellers told the news agency that they have to raise prices so buyers can expect to pay more for their purchases in the future.