Shipping rates and fulfillment fees are on the rise again in 2025. USPS has implemented new pricing, Amazon has introduced additional FBA fees, and many 3PLs are adjusting their policies in response. For eCommerce sellers, that means staying informed is critical to protecting your bottom line.
Below is a breakdown of what’s changing this year—and what steps sellers can take to stay ahead.
USPS 2025 Rate Increases
As part of its ongoing Delivering for America plan, USPS raised rates again on January 21, 2025. These changes affect key services used by eCommerce brands:
Ground Advantage (which replaced First-Class and Parcel Select): average increase of 5.4%
Priority Mail: average increase of 5.7%
Priority Mail Express: average increase of 5.9%
These changes may seem small, but for high-volume shippers, even a few cents per package can eat into margins fast. Sellers should review current USPS usage and consider:
Whether it’s time to renegotiate rates with their fulfillment partner
If a hybrid shipping strategy (mixing USPS, UPS, FedEx) can help control costs
How new USPS surcharges—like zone-based fees and dimensional weight pricing—may apply to their SKUs
Amazon 2025 FBA Fee Updates
Amazon introduced several major fee changes this year that sellers need to factor into their pricing models and fulfillment strategies:
1. Inbound Placement Service Fees
Amazon now charges sellers based on where inventory is sent—introducing Inbound Placement Service Fees that apply per unit. This encourages sellers to either send inventory to multiple warehouses or pay Amazon to do the redistribution.
2. Low-Inventory-Level Fees
Starting in 2025, sellers may be charged additional fees if their inventory levels consistently fall below demand. This is designed to reduce stockouts and shipping delays—but it also increases the financial burden for sellers with lean inventory strategies.
3. FBA Fulfillment Fee Increases
Amazon has raised core fulfillment fees across most categories. Some items, particularly bulky or heavy products, have seen sharper increases.
4. Returns Processing Fee Updates
For categories with high return rates, Amazon is expanding its return fee structure. This applies even to standard items if return volume exceeds thresholds.
Sellers should run margin analyses for each product and determine whether FBA is still the best fit—or if alternatives like third-party fulfillment or FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) are more viable.
3PL and Fulfillment Center Shifts
In addition to USPS and Amazon, many 3PLs and fulfillment providers are:
Updating storage fee schedules to reflect peak season surcharges
Applying dimensional weight more aggressively to large or lightweight items
Setting minimum monthly volumes to maintain preferred pricing tiers
If you work with a 3PL, request a clear fee breakdown and ask whether your rates are changing in Q1 or Q2. Many providers mirror USPS and Amazon timelines, so changes may already be in effect. Learn more about shipping services.
What Sellers Should Do Next
To prepare for 2025’s fee landscape:
Compare shipping options regularly. Use 2024 data to model how USPS, UPS, and FedEx changes will affect your costs in 2025.
Review your FBA SKUs. Identify which ones are most affected by new fees, and explore FBM or 3PL alternatives if needed.
Revisit pricing strategy. If shipping or fulfillment costs are rising, you may need to adjust product pricing, bundle items, or optimize packaging to preserve margin.
Talk to your fulfillment partner. Whether you use FBA or a 3PL, open conversations about fees, thresholds, and available cost-saving programs.
Final Takeaway
Shipping and fulfillment costs are trending upward across the board—but sellers who monitor the changes and make strategic adjustments can stay competitive. From understanding USPS rate hikes to adapting to Amazon’s evolving FBA structure, 2025 will reward sellers who stay proactive and informed.
