3.5% FBA fuel and logistics surcharge from 17 April 2026

Why ACOS “randomly” got worse in May

Nothing random. Contribution fell 3.5% on the fulfillment line and bids did not. Exact campaigns that were barely clearing the floor in March were underwater in May. If you use Teikametrics / Xnurta / Cobalt with a frozen ACOS goal from Q1, the engine will keep spending through a floor that moved.

What to do

1. Confirm the surcharge is still on in Seller Central. Amazon can later change or rebrand it.
2. Rebuild break-even ACOS. Do not “add 3.5% to ACOS” — add 3.5% to the fulfillment fee, then rerun contribution.
3. Update every automation goal and the founder log.

Confirm the live surcharge in Seller Central. This brief uses the April 2026 effective date reported across seller ops coverage.

What the 3.5% is — and what it is not

The surcharge is 3.5% of the FBA fulfillment fee, not 3.5% of the selling price. Trade coverage of the April 2026 notice put the US average add at roughly $0.17 per unit because that is 3.5% of a typical fulfillment line — your number is 3.5% of your Fee Preview fulfillment, not someone else’s average. MCF and Buy with Prime often followed on 2 May 2026. If you run those, check that console too. Amazon can later rename, reduce, or keep a surcharge; confirm it is still on before you hard-code 1.035 into a sheet forever.

How to confirm

Fee Preview after 17 April. Look for a fuel / logistics surcharge line, or a fulfillment fee that is 3.5% above the January card you saved. Profit Analytics on a hero ASIN. If automation still uses a Q1 ACOS goal, the engine will spend through a floor that moved in April and look “fine” until contribution is red in the P&L.

Worked sequence (not a rate card)

Take last month’s fulfillment fee from Fee Preview. Multiply by 1.035. Rebuild break-even ACOS with COGS and referral. If exact was bidding to a 28% ceiling and the new ceiling is 24%, you do not “ease 4%.” You set the new ceiling and let harvest continue. Brand defense stays on a different rail — you still protect the name; you do not use brand as an excuse to overpay generic.

What not to do

• Ignore MCF / Buy with Prime if you use them — their date lagged FBA for many sellers.
• Wait for peak fulfillment in October to “fix ACOS.” April already moved the floor.
• Tell a founder the catalog is “up 3.5%” without saying 3.5% of fulfillment, not of sales.

Related: January rate card, Q4 clocks, break-even SOP.

How to confirm it is still on

Fee Preview after 17 April. Look for a fuel / logistics surcharge line, or a fulfillment fee that is 3.5% above the January card you saved. Profit Analytics on a hero ASIN. The surcharge is 3.5% of the FBA fulfillment fee, not 3.5% of the selling price. Trade coverage of the April 2026 notice put the US average add at roughly $0.17 per unit because that is 3.5% of a typical fulfillment line — your number is 3.5% of your Fee Preview fulfillment. MCF and Buy with Prime often followed on 2 May 2026. If you run those, check that console too. Amazon can later rename, reduce, or keep a surcharge; confirm it is still on before you hard-code 1.035 into a sheet forever. If automation still uses a Q1 ACOS goal, the engine will spend through a floor that moved in April.