Online trading is becoming more expensive due to the Iran war
Due to the current crises, Amazon is increasing logistics fees for third-party retailers by 3.5 percent. How strongly will end customers soon feel these new additional costs at checkout? Concern about an increase in expensive freight charges is also growing in Europe.
Cost trap for online trading
The conflict in Iran is driving up oil prices and making online trading more expensive. Amazon will introduce a percentage surcharge on its logistics services in the US and Canada starting April 17, 2026. This affects retailers who use the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) shipping network. With FBA, merchants store their goods in Amazon fulfillment centers; The group takes care of packaging and shipping to customers.
Around half of the sellers on the platform use this service. Because the transportation industry relies heavily on fossil fuels, crises quickly translate into higher costs for cargo planes and delivery vehicles.
Global supply chains under pressure
How CTV News reported, the new additional fee is 3.5 percent on top of the regular processing costs. According to the company, on average it costs around 17 US cents (around 15 euro cents) per item shipped. The calculation is based solely on the logistics costs, not on the sales price of the goods. Retailers with high shipping volumes are particularly feeling the strain. The regulation initially only applies in North America, but is important for global trade.
Many international suppliers use US warehouses as a hub for global sales. If margins shrink due to additional fees, the additional costs are usually passed on to the end customers. It is also possible that regional Amazon branches in Europe or Asia will follow suit. For Amazon, the surcharge secures its own profit margins in an environment of rising costs. The company points out that competitors such as UPS and FedEx already regularly adjust fuel surcharges.
Background on logistics
Logistics is one of the most expensive areas in online retail. Amazon has invested billions in its own network in recent years – from cargo planes to its own containers for overseas shipping. The dependence on kerosene makes air freight particularly vulnerable to fluctuations on the oil market. For smaller retailers, the surcharges for large quantities quickly add up to a noticeable additional burden.
Some providers are considering reducing inventory or using other distribution channels. It remains to be seen whether and when the fee will be eliminated again; Amazon has not yet provided any specific information about this. Rising logistics costs could make online shopping more expensive worldwide.
