Third-Party Sellers

Amazon is introducing a 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge for third-party sellers using its fulfillment services, effective April 17th in the U.S. and Canada. This measure addresses rising industry-wide fulfillment costs, amplified by geopolitical tensions affecting oil prices and global supply chains. The surcharge, calculated on fulfillment fees and averaging 17 cents per unit, aims to offset increased operational expenses and mirrors similar actions by other major carriers navigating volatile energy markets.

Amazon has upgraded its Seller Assistant, an AI agent for third-party merchants, with new “agentic capabilities” allowing it to execute actions with seller permission. This enhances operational efficiency, freeing sellers for strategic tasks. The tool, leveraging Amazon’s Bedrock, can manage inventory, create growth plans, and resolve account issues, potentially preventing suspensions. Over 1.3 million sellers use its listing tools, automating up to 70% of content. Amazon earns revenue from seller services, not direct AI tool charges, indicating a focus on platform enhancement and seller growth.