Amazon adds new fuel fee starting April 17: Here's what customers need to know

Amazon customers have to pay more for their online orders as the e-commerce giant adds a new fuel surcharge.

The announcement was made to adjust rising transportation costs caused by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

There’s an addition of 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge on each order in the U.S. and Canada starting from April 17.

The fee directly affects the products sold by third-party merchants who use Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service, handling packing, shipping, and customer support.

Price increase will also be applicable on international sales from the U.S. to Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.

The increase in prices is not only announced by Amazon. UPS and FedEx have already increased their fuel surcharge rates.

Additionally, the U.S. Postal Service will introduce an 8% surcharge on shipping services starting April 26, running through January 17.

Amazon said in its official statement: “Due to the work we have already done together to lower costs, this surcharge is meaningfully lower than other major carriers.”

The charge will then roll out for Amazon’s “Buy with Prime” service on May 2, impacting purchases made from sellers in both the US and Canada. The firm has said that the charge is just a temporary measure and that its performance will be analyzed in light of changing market dynamics. It has already introduced such a measure in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Later this month, consumers will expect higher checkout totals.