Amazon tells sellers it's adding a 3.5% charge to offset rising fuel and logistics costs

• Amazon is adding a 3.5% surcharge to some orders, it told sellers.
• The surcharge is meant to offset higher costs from "fuel and logistics," the e-commerce giant said.
• Oil prices have risen sharply since the US and Israel's war on Iran started in late February.

Amazon is adding a new charge for some sellers to offset higher fuel prices.

The e-commerce giant plans to start adding a 3.5% "fuel and logistics-related surcharge" on orders it ships through its Fulfillment by Amazon service in markets including the US and Canada starting on April 17, according to a message sent to sellers.

Starting May 2, the fee would also apply to Buy with Prime and multi-channel fulfillment in the US and Canada, two other fulfillment services that Amazon offers to sellers, the message said.

An Amazon spokesperson confirmed the surcharge.

Oil prices have soared in the month since the US and Israel began a war with Iran that has interrupted crude shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Companies and services, from airlines to the US Postal Service, have since added surcharges to account for higher fuel prices.

"Elevated costs in fulfillment and logistics have increased the cost of operating across the industry," Amazon's message to sellers reads.

While Amazon has "absorbed these increased costs so far," the new fee is meant to cover "a portion of the actual cost increases we are experiencing," it says.

"We remain committed to our selling partners' success and to maintaining broad selection and low prices for customers," the Amazon spokesperson said.

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