2026-2027 Holiday Peak FBA Fulfillment Fees for USA and Canada

Amazon’s 2026-2027 holiday peak fulfillment fees will apply from October 15, 2026, through January 14, 2027. Standard non-peak rates resume on January 15, 2027.

In the U.S., the holiday peak fees apply to Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), Remote Fulfillment with FBA, Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF), and Buy with Prime. In Canada, they apply to FBA, Remote Fulfillment with FBA, and MCF.

Amazon says the per-unit peak increase over non-peak rates is unchanged from last year. It averages approximately $0.32 per unit in the U.S. and CAD $0.39 per unit in Canada.

That does not mean sellers will pay exactly the same total fulfillment fees as they did during the 2025-2026 peak season.

Amazon increased U.S. base FBA fulfillment fees by an average of approximately $0.08 per unit in 2026. Amazon also introduced a 3.5% fuel and logistics-related surcharge, which applies on top of holiday peak fulfillment fees. Canada did not receive the same 2026 base FBA fee increase, but the 3.5% surcharge also applies to Canadian FBA fulfillment fees.

For sellers, that makes the 2026 holiday calculation straightforward:

2026 base fulfillment fee + holiday peak adjustment + applicable additional fees and surcharges = actual fulfillment cost.

When Do Amazon’s 2026-2027 Holiday Peak Fees Apply?

The holiday peak period runs from:

October 15, 2026, to January 14, 2027

Amazon calculates and charges FBA fulfillment fees when a unit leaves the fulfillment center, not when the customer places the order.

That means an order placed on October 14 but shipped from Amazon’s fulfillment center on October 15 can be charged the holiday peak rate.

On January 15, 2027, Amazon returns to its non-peak fulfillment rates.

Did Amazon Increase Holiday Peak Fees for 2026-2027?

The answer requires an important distinction.

Amazon did not increase the seasonal per-unit adjustment itself. The peak increase over non-peak rates remains the same as last year and averages $0.32 per unit in the U.S.

However, total U.S. peak fulfillment costs are not necessarily identical to 2025 because Amazon changed its underlying FBA rates for 2026.

In addition, Amazon’s 3.5% fuel and logistics-related surcharge remains in effect and applies on top of holiday peak fulfillment fees.

So sellers should not use their 2025 dollar rates when building 2026 holiday forecasts.

3.5% Fuel and Logistics-Related Surcharge During Peak

Amazon began applying a 3.5% fuel and logistics-related surcharge to FBA fulfillment fees in the U.S. and Canada on April 17, 2026.

The surcharge also applies to Remote Fulfillment with FBA from the U.S. into Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. Amazon extended the surcharge to U.S. Buy with Prime and U.S. and Canada MCF beginning May 2, 2026.

The surcharge applies on top of the holiday peak fulfillment rate.

For example, if an applicable FBA fulfillment fee is $5.00, the 3.5% surcharge would add approximately $0.18 before accounting for any other applicable Amazon fees.

Amazon’s published peak rate cards do not eliminate this surcharge, so it needs to be included separately when forecasting holiday margins.

2026 U.S. FBA Size Tiers

Amazon’s U.S. FBA fulfillment fees vary based on product size, shipping weight, product type, and selling-price band.

The main size tiers include:

Amazon also introduced an Overmax handling surcharge beginning January 15, 2026. It can apply to Extra-Large products up to 150 lb when the product exceeds 96 inches on its longest side or 130 inches in length plus girth.

2026-2027 U.S. Holiday Peak FBA Fees: Excluding Apparel

Amazon’s 2026 U.S. fee structure separates many FBA rates by selling price: under $10, $10 to $50, and over $50. The following holiday peak rates reflect that structure. The 3.5% fuel and logistics-related surcharge applies separately.

For large standard units above 3 lb, Amazon adds $0.08 for each 4 oz interval above the first 3 lb. Additional weight charges also apply to bulky and extra-large tiers according to Amazon’s rate card.

2026-2027 U.S. Holiday Peak FBA Fees for Apparel

Apparel uses a separate fulfillment fee structure. Above 3 lb, apparel products use half-pound weight intervals rather than the 4 oz intervals used for standard non-apparel products.

For apparel weighing more than 3 lb, Amazon adds $0.16 for each half-pound interval above the first 3 lb.

2026-2027 U.S. Holiday Peak FBA Fees for Dangerous Goods

Amazon maintains a separate fulfillment fee structure for dangerous goods because those products can require additional handling, storage, and transportation controls.

For large standard dangerous goods above 3 lb, an additional $0.08 applies for each 4 oz interval above the first 3 lb. Additional weight charges apply to bulky and extra-large products.

2026-2027 Amazon Canada Holiday Peak Fulfillment Fees

Canada follows the same October 15, 2026, through January 14, 2027 peak period, but its FBA rate structure is different from the U.S.

Amazon says the Canadian holiday peak increase is unchanged from last year and averages approximately CAD $0.39 per unit. Unlike the U.S., Amazon announced no general increase to Canada referral or base FBA fulfillment fees for 2026.

The 3.5% fuel and logistics-related surcharge still applies to Canadian FBA fulfillment fees.

Amazon.ca 2026-2027 Holiday Peak FBA Rates

Canadian rates are charged in Canadian dollars and use metric shipping weights. Sellers should also account for the 3.5% fuel and logistics-related surcharge when forecasting the final per-unit cost.

U.S. Holiday Inventory Deadlines for 2026

One of the biggest changes in Amazon’s 2026 holiday announcement is the emphasis on earlier inventory arrival.

Amazon says its fulfillment centers prioritize receiving holiday inventory during September and October, then shift more capacity toward processing customer orders during November and December. Sellers may therefore encounter lower capacity limits later in the season.

Prime Big Deal Days

For U.S. sellers, Amazon says inventory should arrive by:

Black Friday Week and Cyber Monday

Amazon says inventory should arrive by these dates to help ensure products are Prime-badge eligible during the corresponding events.

Canada Holiday Inventory Deadlines for 2026

Amazon Canada published separate inbound deadlines.

For Prime Big Deal Days, inventory should arrive at Canadian fulfillment centers by:

September 18, 2026

For Black Friday Week and Cyber Monday, inventory should arrive by:

November 5, 2026

Amazon recommends sending inventory early because its fulfillment centers also shift more capacity from receiving toward customer-order processing during November and December.

Why Sellers Should Send Holiday Inventory Early

The inbound deadline is not simply a shipping date.

It is the date by which Amazon expects the inventory to arrive at its facilities.

Waiting until the last minute creates several risks:

• Longer receiving and check-in times
• Less available FBA capacity
• Higher expedited freight costs
• Inventory becoming sellable after a major sales event begins
• Reduced Prime availability
• Stockouts during high-demand periods

Amazon specifically warns that sellers may see lower capacity limits as its network transitions toward customer-order fulfillment in November and December.

That makes September and October inventory planning especially important for U.S. sellers.

Using AWD During the 2026 Holiday Season

Amazon recommends Amazon Warehousing and Distribution for sellers expecting additional holiday volume.

AWD allows sellers to hold inventory upstream and automatically replenish Amazon fulfillment centers as inventory is needed.

Amazon says sellers enrolled in AWD during Q4 2025 experienced an increase of more than 13% in shipped units and a reduction of more than 30% in out-of-stock days during the quarter. Those figures are Amazon-reported results and will vary by seller.

Amazon is also offering a 2026 peak benefit for AWD users.

If you send inventory through AWD and enable automatic replenishment to FBA, Amazon says you can continue paying the off-peak monthly AWD storage rate through October 31, 2026.

Sellers that need additional FBA capacity can also use Capacity Manager to bid for extra fulfillment-center space.

Low-Price FBA During the 2026-2027 Peak Period

Products priced below $10 can automatically qualify for Amazon’s Low-Price FBA fulfillment rates.

Amazon states that Low-Price FBA rates are $0.86 lower than standard FBA rates for products that would otherwise be subject to the $10 to $50 standard rate.

Holiday peak fulfillment charges still apply to products using Low-Price FBA between October 15, 2026, and January 14, 2027.

Sellers should therefore use the correct under-$10 column when calculating peak fulfillment costs rather than applying the $10 to $50 rate.

Low-Inventory-Level Fees Still Matter During Peak

Holiday peak fees are not the only fulfillment-related charge sellers need to watch.

Amazon’s low-inventory-level fee can apply when eligible inventory remains low relative to historical demand.

This fee is separate from the seasonal peak fulfillment fee, meaning poor inventory positioning can increase costs at the same time holiday fulfillment costs are already elevated.

For Q4 planning, sellers should monitor historical days of supply and avoid treating the holiday peak fee as the only variable in their FBA cost model.

Ships in Product Packaging Can Reduce Fulfillment Costs

Products certified under Amazon’s Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP) program can receive a fulfillment fee discount because Amazon can ship the product in its existing packaging instead of adding Amazon packaging.

For eligible brands with suitable packaging, SIPP can partially offset fulfillment cost increases during both peak and non-peak periods.

However, eligibility depends on Amazon’s packaging requirements and product classification, so brands should confirm qualification before including SIPP savings in their forecasts.

How the 2026-2027 Peak Fees Affect Seller Margins

Peak fulfillment fees are charged per unit, not once per shipment.

That distinction becomes significant at scale.

If a seller ships 50,000 units during the peak period, even a relatively small increase in fulfillment cost per unit can materially affect contribution margin.

Amazon says the average U.S. seasonal increase is approximately $0.32 per unit. At 50,000 shipped units, an average increase of that size would represent approximately $16,000 in additional seasonal fulfillment costs, before the 3.5% fuel and logistics-related surcharge and any other applicable fees.

Actual costs will vary by SKU because rates depend on factors including:

• Product selling price
• Size tier
• Shipping weight
• Dimensional weight
• Apparel classification
• Dangerous-goods classification
• Low-Price FBA eligibility
• Overmax classification
• Other applicable FBA fees

That is why peak planning needs to happen at the SKU level rather than by using one average fee across an entire catalog.

How to Reduce Fulfillment Costs During the 2026 Holiday Peak

Peak fees cannot simply be turned off, but sellers can reduce their exposure through better inventory and fulfillment planning.

1. Calculate Peak Costs by SKU

Use Amazon’s Revenue Calculator, Profit Analytics dashboard, and Fee and Economics Preview Report to review current and peak fulfillment costs.

Amazon has made 2026 peak rates available in these tools so sellers can compare fulfillment options before the peak period begins.

Focus first on high-volume SKUs where even a small per-unit fee difference creates a meaningful margin impact.

2. Get Inventory Into the Network Before the Deadlines

Do not treat Amazon’s published dates as shipping dates.

Inventory needs to arrive at Amazon’s facilities by the applicable deadline.

Build freight transit, appointment availability, receiving delays, prep time, and unexpected disruptions into the schedule.

3. Use AWD for Buffer Inventory Where It Makes Sense

For brands with significant Q4 volume, AWD can create an upstream inventory buffer while Amazon automatically replenishes FBA.

The off-peak AWD storage-rate benefit through October 31 also makes it worth comparing against sending all holiday inventory directly into FBA.

4. Watch Product Dimensions and Packaging

A small packaging change can move a product into a different size tier or increase its dimensional weight.

Review carton and unit dimensions before Q4 inventory is produced or inbounded.

For qualifying products, SIPP can also reduce fulfillment fees.

5. Protect Against Stockouts Without Overloading FBA

Amazon is telling sellers to send inventory early, but that does not necessarily mean every unit needs to sit inside an FBA fulfillment center.

For larger brands, a combination of FBA, AWD, and third-party warehousing can provide more control over inventory positioning.

Should Sellers Use a 3PL During Amazon Peak Season?

FBA remains valuable for Prime fulfillment and Amazon marketplace orders, but the holiday season changes the cost and capacity equation.

A third-party logistics provider can be useful when a brand needs to:

• Hold reserve inventory outside Amazon
• Replenish FBA based on demand
• Prepare and label Amazon-compliant inventory
• Handle DTC and marketplace orders from the same inventory pool
• Reduce dependence on FBA capacity
• Manage cross-border inventory between the U.S. and Canada
• Handle products that require specialized storage or processing

The decision should be based on the actual landed cost and service requirements of each fulfillment option.

For some brands, keeping most volume in FBA will make sense. For others, using a 3PL as an upstream inventory buffer can provide more flexibility during peak.

At AMZ Prep, we help brands manage FBA prep, warehousing, replenishment, ecommerce fulfillment, and cross-border logistics across the U.S. and Canada.

What Sellers Should Do Before October 15, 2026

The biggest mistake is waiting until October to start calculating holiday fulfillment costs.

Before the peak fee period begins:

1. Identify your highest-volume holiday SKUs.
2. Confirm each SKU’s Amazon size and weight tier.
3. Calculate the 2026-2027 peak fulfillment rate.
4. Add the 3.5% fuel and logistics-related surcharge.
5. Check for additional fees such as Overmax or low-inventory-level fees.
6. Update contribution-margin forecasts and promotional pricing.
7. Build inbound plans around Amazon’s published September and October deadlines in the U.S. and the corresponding Canadian deadlines.
8. Decide how much inventory belongs in FBA, AWD, or third-party warehousing.
9. Monitor FBA capacity before the network shifts toward customer-order processing in November and December.

The seasonal peak increase itself may be unchanged, but the cost environment around it is not.

Final Takeaway

Amazon’s 2026-2027 holiday peak fulfillment period runs from October 15, 2026, through January 14, 2027.

The seasonal increase over non-peak rates remains unchanged from last year, averaging $0.32 per unit in the U.S. and CAD $0.39 per unit in Canada.

But sellers should not assume their total 2026 holiday fulfillment costs will be identical to 2025.

U.S. base FBA rates changed in 2026. The 3.5% fuel and logistics-related surcharge applies on top of holiday peak rates. Other fees can also stack on the same unit.

The bigger operational change is Amazon’s push toward earlier inventory placement.

For U.S. Black Friday Week and Cyber Monday inventory, arrival deadlines range from October 14 through October 28, depending on the inbound method. Canada’s published Black Friday and Cyber Monday arrival deadline is November 5.

The brands that plan SKU-level margins, inventory placement, and replenishment before those deadlines will be in a much stronger position heading into Q4.

FAQs

Arishekar N

Arishekar N is a Vice President (VP) of Marketing at AMZ Prep, specializing in ecommerce fulfillment and Amazon logistics strategies with a proven track record of driving growth for e-commerce businesses. He is a strategic leader with extensive expertise in marketing, e-commerce operations, SEO & advertising, and branding.

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