Amazon will impose new fees later this month on third-party sellers as rising oil prices tied to the ongoing war with Iran ripple through the U.S. economy, a shift that could ultimately push costs onto consumers.
The company said it will begin charging a 3.5% "fuel and logistics-related surcharge" on sellers who use its fulfillment services starting April 17 in the U.S. and Canada, citing higher transportation and shipping expenses.
The move follows a sharp rise in oil prices, which are increasing costs across global supply chains. West Texas Intermediate crude topped $111 on Friday, while global benchmark Brent crude was around $109 per barrel, as investors assessed how long the conflict could disrupt shipments through the Strait of Hormuz – a critical global oil chokepoint.
