Amazon FBA costs: 7 facts retailers need to know in the run-up to Christmas

Table of contents

1. Overview: Why do Amazon FBA costs rise in the run-up to Christmas?
2. Amazon FBA fee types in detail
   • Storage fees (monthly & long-term)
   • Shipping & fulfillment fees
   • Return costs and special charges
3. Seasonal cost factors: Christmas season & peak season
   • More storage space required
   • Shipping & logistics surcharges
   • Bottlenecks in logistics centers
   • Peak surcharge Q4 2025 to January 14, 2026
4. Effects of rising costs on margin & profitability
   • Calculate and control margins
   • Price adjustment & buy box opportunities
5. Cost optimization strategies for retailers
   • Inventory Management & Forecasting
   • Optimized shipping strategy
   • Repricing & dynamic price control
   • Reduce returns
6. Practical examples: Cost calculation and scenarios
   • Sample calculation FBA November vs. December
   • Break-even analysis for traders
7. Recommendations for action for B2B and B2C retailers
   • Small retailers vs. big sellers — different challenges
8. Conclusion: How retailers benefit from FBA in the long term despite rising costs
9. FAQ
10. Conclusion

1. Overview: Why do Amazon FBA costs rise in the run-up to Christmas?

Amazon FBA costs — the very word makes many retailers frown. And for good reason: Fees rise noticeably in the run-up to Christmas. Logistics centers are running at their limits, staff must be increased, returns are piling up. But what does that mean for your margin during the Christmas season?

In short: If you are not prepared, you pay more. Amazon regularly adjusts fees to seasonal workload. Retailers without a clear strategy quickly lose track of things — and therefore cash.

2. Fee types at Amazon FBA in detail

Storage fees (monthly & long-term)

Amazon charges monthly storage fees, which are based on volume. In November and December, these rise significantly. Even more critical: the Long-term storage fees, which are due for stocks of 365 days or more. They meet retailers who do not sell their goods on time.

Shipping & fulfillment fees

Die shipping costs and Fulfillment fees are further cost drivers. Especially in high season when the Prime shipping Priority is given to retailers. Large or bulky products cause additional charges.

Return costs and special charges

Christmas is also the time of returns. Any return will incur additional charges. Amazon also charges for special services — from labeling to removal.

3. Seasonal cost factors: Christmas season & peak season

More storage space required

Retailers store more before Christmas to avoid bottlenecks. But that is exactly what drives up costs: Amazon charges higher storage prices per cubic meter for the peak season.

Shipping & logistics surcharges

At peak season, Amazon charges temporary surcharges. These significantly increase fulfillment fees. For retailers with high shipping volumes, this can amount to several thousand euros.

Bottlenecks in logistics centers

During the Christmas season, logistics centers are working at their limits. This leads to delays, higher additional costs and in some cases even to storage restrictions.

Peak surcharge Q4 2025 to January 14, 2026

New this year: Amazon is raising a Peak surcharge from October 1, 2025 to January 14, 2026. On average, this is 0,19€ per item.

Sounds like little? Imagine selling 5,000 items — that's it 950€ additional costs. With 10,000 articles, even just under 1.900€. Especially during Christmas shopping, this surcharge adds up enormously and can your margin Squeeze massively.

👉 Tip: Calculate this surcharge from the start — and bet on dynamic repricing tool Like the MetaPrice Amazon Repricer, which automatically takes such factors into account.

4. Effects of rising costs on margin & profitability

Calculate and control margins

Without consistent Margin control Do you quickly lose track of things during the Christmas season. Tools such as MetaPrice Product Overview help you to keep an eye on profitability per item.

Price adjustment & buy box opportunities

Die Buy Box Decides on your success. Increasing costs increase the pressure to constantly adjust prices. With intelligent software, you remain competitive — and secure decisive visibility despite higher fees.

5. Strategies to optimize costs for retailers

Inventory Management & Forecasting

If you have your inventory under control, you pay less. With forecasting, you can predict seasonal peaks and avoid overstocks.

Optimized shipping strategy

Not every product is worthwhile for FBA. Analyze which items are profitable — and which should be better handled by your own logistics.

Repricing & dynamic price control

With dynamic repricing You adjust prices in real time to market movements. This keeps you profitable — even if costs rise in the short term.

Reduce returns

Each return costs money. With clear descriptions, high-quality product images (alt text: “Amazon FBA Cost Comparison 2025”) and good packaging, you can reduce returns.

6. Practical examples: Cost calculation and scenarios

Sample calculation FBA November vs. December

• November storage fees: 0.87 €/cubic foot
• December storage fees: €2.40/cubic foot
  → Difference: +175%

Break-even analysis for traders

A retailer with 1,000 units in stock quickly pays 1,500—2,000 € more in December than in the previous month. Without price adjustments, the margin drops drastically.

7. Recommendations for action for B2B and B2C retailers

Small retailers vs. big sellers — different challenges

• Small retailers: Should their inventory management be particularly tight in order to avoid unnecessary storage costs.
• Big sellers: Benefit from economies of scale, but also pay enormous additional fees for large quantities.

Here is a worthwhile personal demo of MetaPriceto play through strategies individually.

8. Conclusion: How retailers benefit from FBA in the long term despite rising costs

Die Amazon FBA costs rise noticeably in the run-up to Christmas. Yet FBA remains a worthwhile model — Prime benefits, customer trust and fast delivery times are hard to beat. It is crucial that you adjust your strategy: cleverly manage inventory, calculate costs and adjust prices dynamically.

9. FAQ

What are the Amazon FBA costs during the Christmas season?
Storage and shipping fees are rising by more than 150% in some cases. In addition, there is a peak surcharge of Ø 0.19€ per item until January 14, 2026.

What types of fees does Amazon FBA have?
Monthly storage costs, long-term storage fees, shipping costs, return fees and additional costs such as labeling or removal.

How can retailers reduce their FBA costs?
With good inventory management, dynamic repricing, optimized shipping strategies and measures to reduce returns.

When does Amazon charge long-term storage fees?
Amazon charges additional long-term fees for items that are in the fulfillment center for more than 365 days.

Why do costs rise in the run-up to Christmas?
Because fulfillment centers are overloaded, Amazon has to increase staff and charges surcharges for storage and shipping.

How does the peak surcharge affect retailer margins?
For large sales volumes, the surcharge quickly adds up to several thousand euros — which significantly affects profitability.

How do FBA costs affect the Buy Box?
They increase price pressure. If you don't actively reprice, you lose the Buy Box faster.

What role does repricing play when costs rise?
Repricing tools such as MetaPrice automate price adjustments and ensure profitability even in expensive times.

10. Conclusion

Die Amazon FBA costs are not a static factor — they rise, fall and change with the season. The pre-Christmas period is the hardest test for retailers.

Highlights at a glance:

• Costs rise sharply during peak season
• Peak surcharge Ø 0.19€ per article until January 14, 2026
• Storage and shipping fees are key drivers
• Calculate margin regularly
• Reduce returns & adjust shipping strategy
• Use dynamic repricing to stay competitive
• Strategies differ depending on retailer size

👉 Call to action:
Test the now MetaPrice Repricing Software, optimize your pricing strategy and remain profitable despite rising Amazon FBA costs.
Or get in touch directly via the contact form On — we will give you individual advice.

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