While Amazon’s headline for 2026 is a modest "average $0.08 increase" for standard FBA shipments, a deeper look reveals much steeper price hikes for sellers who use Amazon to fulfill off-platform orders or who store inventory long-term. Effective January 15, 2026, the new fee structure disproportionately targets Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) and aged inventory.
1. Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) Changes
If you use Amazon’s logistics network to fulfill orders from Shopify, TikTok Shop, or Walmart, your costs are rising significantly faster than standard FBA orders. Fees will jump by an average of $0.30 per unit, with the increases heavily weighted toward single-unit and two-unit orders. Interestingly, Amazon has left fees for orders with 3+ units (in standard size tiers) unchanged to incentivize larger basket sizes.
Like the standard FBA program, MCF is also adopting the new Small Bulky and Large Bulky size definitions. Sellers with bulky items should note that non-certified products will face a new packaging fee of approximately $2.07 per unit. However, if your bulky items are SIPP-certified (ship in own container), you may avoid this surcharge and even see a slight fee reduction.
Strategic Shift: Amazon is clearly widening the price gap between fulfilling Amazon orders (cheaper) and competitor orders (expensive). Sellers relying heavily on MCF for low-margin DTC sales should re-calculate unit economics immediately.
2. Storage Fees: The New "Ultra-Aged" Penalties
While standard monthly storage rates remain relatively stable, Amazon is becoming aggressively punitive toward "dead stock." The Aged Inventory Surcharge (formerly Long-Term Storage Fee) has been overhauled with steeper tiers for 2026.
2026 Aged Inventory Surcharge Schedule
| Inventory Age | Fee Status | New 2026 Rate Structure |
| 181 – 270 Days | Surcharge Applies | Standard surcharge rates apply. |
| 271 – 365 Days | Higher Surcharge | Increased surcharge rates apply. |
| 366 – 455 Days | Price Hike | Minimum surcharge doubles to $0.30 per unit (or $6.90/cu ft). |
| 456+ Days | New Tier | "Ultra-aged" penalty of $0.35 per unit (or $7.90/cu ft). |
Low-value, small items that previously cost pennies to store long-term will now incur a minimum $0.30–$0.35 monthly fee per unit after one year. This effectively forces sellers to liquidate or remove stock before it hits the 365-day mark.
3. AWD (Upstream Storage) Cost Increases
For sellers using Amazon Warehousing & Distribution (AWD) to bypass FBA capacity limits, the "West Coast discount" is disappearing. Storage fees for the West Region are increasing to $0.57 per cubic foot per month (up from ~$0.48), and the transportation fee to move stock from AWD to FBA fulfillment centers is rising to $1.40 per cubic foot. The East and South regions remain the more cost-effective options, as Amazon attempts to force better inventory distribution across its national network.
With the new rates kicking in mid-month, immediate action is required. First, audit your MCF margins by reviewing your Shopify and TikTok pricing; a $0.30 hike on a $15 item represents a significant margin hit. Second, purge aged inventory by January 14. The first assessment of the new "ultra-aged" fees happens on January 15, so you must submit removal orders for all inventory aged 365+ days before 11:59 PM on the 14th to avoid the new rates. Finally, check your SIPP status if you sell bulky items via MCF to ensure they are certified to ship in their own packaging, avoiding the new $2+ surcharge.
08 Jan, 2026
