Amazon is charging an additional fee to certain vendors over the Christmas season for the first time, stating that it needs to do so to offset increasing labor and logistical costs.
The retail behemoth will charge an average tax of 35 cents per item on goods sold through warehouse and logistics networks in the United States and Canada from October 15 through January 14 of 2023.
The statement said, “Our selling partners are highly important to us, and this is not a choice we make lightly,” and noted yearly increases in fulfillment and shipping prices throughout the industry around the holidays.
Amazon highlighted that seasonal prices are now at all-time highs, despite the fact that we have historically handled these price increases.
The postal service will impose fees starting on October 2 and lasting through January 21. Peak Christmas rates, according to FedEx, will begin early next month for some categories and go until January 15.
According to Amazon, its fulfillment expenses will still be on average 30% less expensive for slower standard delivery choices than those provided by other big third-party logistics businesses and 70% less expensive than similar two-day shipping alternatives over the holiday season.
Amazon said this month that it will boost the annual fee for Prime membership for citizens of five European countries to cover increased costs for goods and delivery services.
