Introduction

Selling on Amazon presents an incredible opportunity to grow your eCommerce business, but managing fees and shipping costs can be challenging. As an Amazon seller, every penny counts towards your bottom line. That’s why staying informed about changes to Amazon’s fee structure and exploring cost-saving strategies is crucial for maximizing your profits.

We have some exciting news to share – Amazon is implementing seller-friendly updates in 2025 to help businesses like yours thrive. Additionally, tools such as Easyship can streamline your shipping process and potentially save you up to 91% on courier rates. Are you ready to learn how to keep your costs low and your profits high? Let’s dive into the details!

Understanding Amazon’s Fee Structure

Before we explore the upcoming changes and cost-saving strategies, it’s important to understand how Amazon’s current fee structure works. Here’s a breakdown of the main components:

1. Listing Fees

Good news – listing products on Amazon is free. However, Amazon takes a percentage of each sale once you start making money.

2. Selling Plan Fees

Amazon offers two main selling plans:

• Individual Plan: $0.99 per item sold, plus variable closing fees
• Professional Plan: $39.99 monthly subscription, plus referral and variable closing fees

3. Referral Fees

These are percentage-based fees that vary by product category, typically ranging from 6% to 25% of the sale price.

4. Fulfillment Fees

If you use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), additional fees apply based on product size, weight, and storage duration.

5. Variable Closing Fees

These fees, usually between $0.45 and $1.35, are calculated based on the product type.

Amazon’s Fee Changes for 2025

Amazon is introducing several changes to its fee structure in 2025 to support sellers and maintain cost predictability. Here are the key updates:

1. No Fee Increases

Great news for sellers – there will be no increases in U.S. referral fees or Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) fees. Additionally, Amazon won’t be introducing any new fees.

2. Reduced Inbound Placement Service Fees

Starting January 15, 2025, inbound placement service fees for large, bulky items will decrease by approximately $0.58 per unit. This change will make it more affordable to ship such products to Amazon’s warehouses.

3. Fee Waivers for New Products

For sellers launching new products, Amazon is waiving inbound placement service fees for the first 100 units of each new product (parent ASINs) enrolled in the FBA New Selection Program. This waiver applies to items shipped between December 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025.

4. Additional Discounts

To encourage sellers to add more in-demand products, Amazon will offer additional discounts through the New Seller Incentives and FBA New Selection programs, starting January 15, 2025.

These updates demonstrate Amazon’s commitment to simplifying costs and supporting sellers in growing their businesses. Whether you’re an established seller or just starting out, taking advantage of these changes can help you reduce expenses and increase profits.

10 Strategies to Reduce Amazon Selling Costs

While Amazon’s fee updates for 2025 are beneficial, there are additional steps you can take to further reduce your selling costs. Here are ten effective strategies to consider:

1. Print Your Labels Online

Printing your own shipping labels online is a simple yet effective way to save money. Services like Easyship offer convenient label printing options that can help streamline your shipping process.

2. Utilize USPS Priority Mail

For lightweight items, USPS Priority Mail can be a cost-effective option. It comes with free boxes and is often cheaper than flat-rate alternatives.

3. Negotiate with Couriers

If you consistently ship large volumes, don’t hesitate to negotiate discounts with your preferred couriers. Building a good relationship with shipping providers can lead to significant savings over time.

4. Choose Product Categories Wisely

Product categories directly impact your Amazon referral fees. For instance, fashion items may incur up to 20% in referral fees, while some categories like beauty products and backpacks have fees as low as 6% and 3%, respectively. Consider this when selecting products to sell.

5. Source Free Packing Materials

Get creative with your packaging to cut costs. Look for used boxes and packing materials both offline and online. You can even use shredded magazines and newspapers as padding for items.

6. Optimize Package Volumes

Many couriers, including UPS and FedEx, calculate fees based on volume rather than weight. You can potentially reduce your Amazon FBA fees by shipping two smaller boxes instead of one large box.

7. Increase Your Average Selling Price

Higher-priced products often have better profit margins. Aim to sell products that cost $35 and above. For example, $15 earrings might attract fees of up to 36.2%, while a $144 kitchen appliance could have fees of just 16.2%.

8. Focus on Exclusive Products

Securing exclusive rights from specific suppliers can give you a competitive edge. As the sole distributor of certain items, you can charge premium prices without fear of losing sales to competitors.

9. Minimize Variable Closing Fees (VCF)

Take time to calculate the VCF for your products. Selling low-priced items with high VCFs can eat into your profits. For example, selling books for $5 with a 20% VCF is less profitable than selling books in the $30+ range.

10. Be Strategic with Product Selection and Amazon Plans

For products priced under $15, consider alternatives to Fulfillment By Amazon (FBA). FBA charges are based on weight, not price, meaning a $5 item and a $150 item of the same weight incur the same fulfillment fees.

Leveraging Easyship to Cut Amazon Costs

While implementing the strategies above can significantly reduce your Amazon selling costs, utilizing a comprehensive shipping solution like Easyship can take your cost-saving efforts to the next level. Here’s how Easyship can help:

1. Access to Discounted Rates

Easyship offers access to over 550 courier solutions from major carriers worldwide, with discounted rates of up to 91% off. This can dramatically reduce your shipping expenses, especially for international orders.

2. Automated Label Printing

Save time and reduce errors by automating your label printing process through Easyship’s platform.

3. Real-Time Rate Comparisons

Easily compare rates across multiple carriers to ensure you’re always getting the best deal for each shipment.

4. Seamless Amazon Integration

Easyship integrates directly with your Amazon store, streamlining your order fulfillment process and saving you valuable time.

5. International Shipping Solutions

For sellers looking to expand globally, Easyship provides expertise in international shipping regulations and customs documentation.

By combining Amazon’s new fee structure with Easyship’s powerful features, you can create a robust cost-saving strategy that boosts your bottom line and helps your business thrive in the competitive world of eCommerce.

Conclusion

As we look ahead to 2025, Amazon’s seller-friendly fee updates present an excellent opportunity for eCommerce businesses to optimize their operations and increase profitability. By staying informed about these changes and implementing the cost-saving strategies we’ve discussed, you can position your business for success in the ever-evolving Amazon marketplace.

Remember, reducing costs is an ongoing process. Regularly review your expenses, stay updated on industry trends, and don’t hesitate to leverage tools like Easyship that can provide significant savings and operational efficiencies.

Are you ready to take your Amazon selling to the next level? Sign up for Easyship today and start exploring how our platform can help you cut costs, streamline your shipping process, and grow your business. With the right strategies and tools in place, 2025 could be your most profitable year yet on Amazon!