Tracking Amazon’s oversized fees can be challenging, even for experienced FBA sellers. Between multiple fee types, complex size thresholds, and cost calculations, many variables can impact your bottom line.
When it comes to tackling complex fee structures, Red Stag Fulfillment has mastered the art. With over 12 years of experience in navigating Amazon fees, we lead our clients through this challenging landscape every single day.
Leveraging our experience, this guide breaks down the main FBA oversized fees, including what triggers them, how much they cost, and the pricey mistakes that blindside sellers. You’ll also discover 11 practical strategies to reduce the base fees and avoid surcharges.
TL;DR:
Key takeaways
Amazon has two main oversized product tiers—large bulky and extra-large.
The extra-large category is divided into four subcategories based on shipping weight.
Two fees will impact your oversized FBA costs the most: fulfillment and monthly storage.
Product size affects other FBA fees through separate cost tiers (like inbound placement fees) or volume-based calculations (like aged inventory surcharges).
You can lower some fees and eliminate others through careful planning and smart account management.
What you’ll learn
Size and weight thresholds for the two Amazon oversized-item tiers–large bulky and extra-large
Details and amounts of two charges with the most significant impact on FBA oversized fees—fulfillment and monthly storage
How other FBA fees for oversized products work, including calculations, specific amounts, and examples
Strategies to reduce your FBA costs for oversized products
PRO TIP: Selling oversized packages through Amazon FBA? Red Stag Fulfillment can help lower your fulfillment costs through volume-based discounts via our FBA Prep or Amazon Fulfillment services.
Size and weight thresholds for FBA oversized products
Amazon classifies oversized products into two categories—large bulky and extra-large. These categories include all products that exceed standard-size limits*, need extra handling, and incur higher FBA fees.
Below are the qualifying factors for the two oversized categories.
*Note: Dimension limits for large standard-size items are: shipping weight up to 20 lbs, longest side up to 18″, median side* up to 14″, and shortest side up to 8″.
Large bulky items
Large bulky items exceed the limits for large standard size but do not exceed the following respective thresholds:
Shipping weight up to 50 lbs
Longest side up to 59″
Median side* up to 33″
Shortest side up to 33″
*The median side is the product’s dimension that’s neither the longest nor the shortest.
Extra-large items
Extra-large items meet one or more of the following criteria:
Longest side is over 59″
Median side is over 33″
Shortest side is over 33″
Combined length and girth is over 130″
Shipping weight is over 50 lbs
Additionally, the extra-large size category has four weight-based sub-tiers: up to 50 lbs, 50+ to 70 lbs, 70+ to 150 lbs, and over 150 lbs.
Amazon FBA oversized fees by size tier
Below, we review the key aspects of Amazon FBA oversized fees, including what they are, how they’re calculated, and when they’re applied. Plus, we provide examples and specific fee amounts.
We’ll start with the fulfillment and monthly storage fees, which have the most immediate and direct impact on your profitability.
FBA fulfilment fee
What the fee is: The fulfillment fee covers the costs of picking, packing, and shipping your products to Amazon customers. It includes packaging materials, shipping charges, and labor.
How it’s calculated and applied: The fulfillment fee is calculated per unit, based on your product’s category, size tier, and shipping weight. It’s applied when Amazon ships your order.
Fee structure and amounts: The table below shows the FBA fulfillment fees for the different oversized product tiers.
| Fulfillment fees for oversized items* | ||
| Fulfillment fees | ||
| Weight | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Large bulky | 50 lbs or less | $9.61 + $0.38 per lb* |
| 50 lbs or less | $26.33 + $0.38 per lb* | |
| Extra large | 50+ to 70 lbs | $40.12 + $0.75 per lb |
| 70+ to 150 lb | $54.81 + $0.75 per lb | |
| Over 150 lb | $194.45 + $0.19 per lb | |
*The table above applies to products outside the apparel and dangerous goods categories during non-peak seasons. To see the fulfillment fees for these categories and check for updates, visit the Amazon website.
NOTE: In each size tier, the variable per-pound fees apply to weight intervals above the first pound. For instance, the fulfillment fee for extra-large items with shipping weights of 51 and 55 lbs would be $40.12 and $43.12, respectively.
Fulfillment fee calculation analysis
In this example, both products belong to the second weight tier of the extra-large product category (50+ to 70 lbs). Amazon defines the fulfillment fee for that tier as “$40.12 + $0.75 per lb”, where the $0.75 variable is applied in intervals for every lb above 51 lbs.
Using that formula, we calculate the fulfillment fee for the 55-lb package as Total Fee = $40.12 + ($0.75 × (55 – 51)). Here’s a breakdown of each number in that formula:
$40.12 is the fixed part of the fee for the weight tier as per the Amazon list rates (table above)
$0.75 is the variable for the tier applied for every lb above 51 lbs
55 is the shipping weight of the product in lbs
51 is the first lb in the weight tier
55-51 gives us the number of intervals above the first lb in the weight tier
On the other hand, the number of intervals above the first lb for the 51-lb product is zero, so the fulfillment fee is equal to the fixed part of the formula ($40.12 + 0.75 × (51 – 51)).
Monthly storage fee
What the fee is: Amazon charges a monthly fee to store FBA products.
How it’s calculated and applied: The storage fee is based on the average daily volume your inventory occupies in the Amazon warehouse. Costs for the previous month are typically applied between the 7th and 15th of each month.
Fee structure and amounts: The monthly storage fees for oversized products are:
Off-Peak (Jan–Sep): $0.56 per cubic foot
Peak Season (Oct–Dec): $1.40 per cubic foot
Amazon FBA shipping weight explained
Amazon calculates your shipping weight using whichever is greater—your product’s actual weight (unit weight) or its dimensional weight. To calculate the dimensional weight, use the following formula: length × width × height ÷ 139.
For example, consider a 5-lb bike frame. Packaged, it measures 44″ x 9″ x 35″ and has a dimensional weight of 100 lbs (44 x 9 x 35 ÷ 139 = 99.71). Since the DIM weight exceeds the unit weight, Amazon will calculate FBA fees based on a 100-lb shipping weight.
NOTE: There are two exceptions to this rule. For small standard items and extra-large items weighing over 150 lbs, Amazon calculates fees based on the unit weight.
Storage utilization fee
What the fee is: Storage utilization is a surcharge applied to FBA professional-seller accounts* that hold excess inventory.
NOTE: Amazon professional sellers pay a monthly subscription instead of per-item fees, which gives them access to advanced features, including bulk listing creation, Amazon advertising tools, and advanced inventory management.
How it’s calculated and applied: Amazon assesses the storage utilization fee on the last day of each month and includes it in your next month’s invoice. It’s based on the following criteria:
- Your first shipment to Amazon FBA was at least 366 days ago.
- Your average daily inventory exceeds 25 cubic feet in the product size tier.
- Your storage utilization ratio for the size tier is over 21 weeks.
NOTE: To calculate the storage utilization ratio, divide your daily inventory volume by the daily shipped volume for the past 13 weeks. Consider the following example:
• Your average daily stored inventory for the 13-week period is 500 cubic feet.
• Your average daily shipped volume for the same period is 25 cubic feet.
• In this example, your storage utilization ratio would be 20 weeks (500 ÷ 25).
Fee structure and amounts: When your storage utilization ratio reaches or exceeds 22 weeks, Amazon adds a surcharge based on the tiers below. The surcharge does not apply to inventory less than 30 days old, new sellers, and sellers with an average daily inventory of 25 cubic feet or less.
| Storage utilization fee for oversized items (off-peak period) | |
| Storage utilization ratio | Storage surcharge |
|---|---|
| Less than 22 weeks | n/a |
| 22–28 weeks | $0.23 |
| 28–36 weeks | $0.46 |
| 36–44 weeks | $0.63 |
| 44–52 weeks | $0.76 |
| 52+ weeks | $1.26 |
NOTE: If you sell standard-size items, you need to balance your stock to avoid both overstocking fees and low-inventory level surcharges. However, the low-inventory surcharge doesn’t apply to oversized products. To learn more, see our complete guide on the Amazon low-inventory level fee.
Aged inventory fee (Long-term storage fees)
What the fee is: Amazon adds a fee for slow-moving inventory that remains in their warehouse for longer than 180 days.
How it’s calculated and applied: Amazon assesses the aged-inventory surcharge on the 15th of each month and charges it between the 18th and 22nd. The fee depends on your average daily volume of slow-moving inventory and how long it’s been in storage, as shown in the table below.
Fee structure and amounts: The surcharge varies by inventory age tiers, with a significant increase at the 271-day mark. The table below shows the inventory age ranges and corresponding surcharge amounts.
| Aged-inventory surcharge—criteria and amounts | |
| Age of inventory | Monthly surcharge amount (per cubic foot, if not specified otherwise) |
|---|---|
| 181–210 days | $0.50 |
| 211–240 days | $1.00 |
| 241–270 days | $1.50 |
| 271–300 days | $5.45 |
| 301–330 days | $5.70 |
| 331–365 days | $5.90 |
| 365 days or more | $0.15 per unit or $6.90 per cubic foot, whichever is greater |
NOTE: Certain Amazon product categories are exempt from the long-term storage surcharge if the inventory age is up to 270 days. These categories include shoes, clothes, bags, watches, and jewelry.
Inbound placement fee
What the fee is: This fee covers Amazon’s costs to send your inventory to fewer fulfillment centers closer to your customers instead of using their default shipment distribution. The size limits for the inbound placement service are:
Longest side up to 59″
Median side up to 33″
Shortest side up to 33″
These thresholds allow you to use the service if your item belongs to the large-bulky oversized tier. However, extra-large items breach these thresholds and don’t qualify for the inbound placement service.
In other words, if you’re selling extra-large products, Amazon will use their default shipment split and distribute your inventory across the country.
How it’s calculated and applied: The inbound placement fee is based on the item’s weight, the total amount received, and the chosen shipment split. You can choose to send products to a single location (minimal split) or two or three locations (partial split).
When it’s applied: The fee is charged 45 days after Amazon receives your shipments.
Fee structure and amounts: The exact amount of the inbound service fee is determined per item, while the total cost reflects the number of products in the shipment. The table below shows the fee range for different product-weight tiers.
| FBA inbound placement fees for large bulky items | ||
| Weight | Minimal split (shipment sent to a single location) | Partial split (shipment sent to two or three locations) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 lb or less | $1.10–$1.60 | $0.55–$1.10 |
| 5+ lbs to 12 lbs | $1.75–$2.40 | $0.65–$1.75 |
| 12+ lbs to 28 lbs | $2.74–$3.50 | $0.81–$2.19 |
| 28+ lbs to 42 lbs | $3.95–$4.95 | $1.05–$2.83 |
| 42+ lbs to 50 lbs | $4.80–$5.95 | $1.23–$3.32 |
Removal and disposal fees
What the fees are: These are the fees associated with removing and disposing of products from your FBA inventory.
Removal fee: Amazon’s charge for returning or disposing of your inventory by shipping it out.
Disposal fee: Amazon’s charge for discarding or destroying inventory on site.
The two fees serve different purposes, but the current rates are the same. Moreover, the fee amounts are the same for large bulky, and extra-large items as illustrated in the following section.
How they’re calculated and applied: Removal and disposal fees are based on the product’s size tier, shipping weight, and total number of units in the order. Amazon will charge these fees in one of the following four scenarios:
01
You request a removal/disposal order.
02
The Amazon system triggers the order because you enabled the automatic removal option on your account.
03
Amazon identifies prohibited or hazardous products that need to be removed from their warehouse.
04
Amazon removes products that can’t be fulfilled or are unsellable.
When they’re applied: These fees are invoiced upon completion of the removal/disposal order, typically within 90 days of submission. During that time, Amazon waives storage fees for the specific items.
Fee structure and amounts: The table below outlines the updated per-unit removal and disposal fees for oversized items.
| FBA removal/disposal fees for oversized items | |
| Shipping weight | Fee amounts per unit |
|---|---|
| 0 to 1.0 lbs | $3.12 |
| 1+ lbs to 2.0 lbs | $4.30 |
| 2.0+ lbs to 4.0 lbs | $6.36 |
| 4.0+ to 10.0 lb | $10.04 |
| More than 10.0 lb | $14.32 + $1.06 per additional lb |
Tips to lower or avoid the Amazon FBA oversized fees
The FBA fee structure for oversized items rewards you for efficient inventory management—e.g., consistent stock levels and smart inbound shipping—and penalizes extreme overstocking or products that remain unsold for extended periods.
While some fees are unavoidable costs of doing business with Amazon, you might lower or avoid other charges through careful planning. Here are several strategies to reduce these charges and maintain healthy profit margins when selling oversized products on Amazon.
Optimize packaging to lower FBA fulfillment fees
01
In most cases, the most effective way to reduce FBA oversized fees is to optimize or redesign your packaging to qualify for a smaller size tier. Consider the following two examples that illustrate the potential savings:
Bringing the product size from large-bulky to large-standard size tier lowers the base fulfillment cost from $9.61 to $6.92.
Reducing the size from extra-large to large-bulky tier lowers the base fulfillment costs by over 60% (from $26.33 to $9.61).
Depending on the product’s shipping weight, these savings may be greater because the variable per-pound part of the fulfillment fee is higher in larger size tiers.
Example: Consider a 2-lb board game packaged in a box that measures 19″ x 10″ x 7″. If you manage to shave off an inch of the packaging’s longest side, the potential fulfillment savings will be substantial, as illustrated in the table below.
| Fulfillment fee savings calculation for a 2-lb board game | ||
| Old packaging | New packaging | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 19” × 10” × 7” | 18” × 10” × 7” |
| Size tier | Large bulky | Large standard |
| Per-unit fulfillment fee | $13.03 | $9.16 |
| Units sold per month | 200 | 200 |
| Total fulfillment cost per month | $2,606.00 | $1,832.00 |
NOTE: Amazon would use the 10-lb dimensional weight to calculate FBA fees for this board game because it exceeds the product’s actual weight.
Optimize your FBA inventory level
02
Aim for a 30- to 60-day supply in your inventory. This allows you to avoid stockouts and surcharges associated with overstocking, such as storage utilization or aged inventory charges.
Since Amazon doesn’t charge low-inventory-level fees on large bulky and extra-large tiers, inventory planning for oversized items can be somewhat less complex than managing standard-sized products.
Still, keeping a close eye on your stock levels and forecasting demand allows you to keep a strong IPI score*.
*NOTE: Amazon evaluates your inventory management using the Inventory Performance Index (IPI), a metric scored from 0 to 1,000. Amazon doesn’t publish the exact formula, but your IPI score depends on your inventory balance, how quickly you fix listing issues, and your account’s history of adapting to demand changes. Keep your score above 400 to avoid storage restrictions and overage fees.
Bundle products to lower Amazon FBA fees
03
Bundling related items into a single package or multipacks can lower Amazon FBA fees, especially if the new packaging doesn’t breach the size-tier thresholds.
For example, a 25-lb bag of dog food that measures 25″ x 15″ x 5″ belongs to the large bulky size tier. If you bundle two bags, the combined weight will be 50 lbs, while the combined dimensions will be around 25″ x 15″ x 10″. Since the dimensions of the bundle don’t exceed any large-bulky tier thresholds, the base fulfillment fee remains unchanged.
In this scenario, the difference in FBA fulfillment fees comes down to the package’s weight. The 25-lb bag of dog food costs $18.73 to fulfill, while the 50-lb bundle costs $28.23.
More importantly, the per-pound fulfillment costs for the single bag and two-bag bundle are $0.75 and $0.56, respectively. This lower cost on bundles gives you more pricing flexibility and helps protect your profit margins.
NOTE: The viability of this strategy depends on the demand and should be considered in a broader context of overall profitability. Some products, like consumables, are better suited for bundling.
Consider splitting into smaller packages
04
The splitting strategy is essentially the opposite of the bundling approach above.
For example, if you’re selling a two-pack set of chairs as a single SKU, the total size might trigger oversized shipping fees. If you split the set and sell the chairs individually, you might lower the FBA costs per unit.
Still, customers can buy multiple units if they want the whole set, but Amazon will fulfill them separately.
NOTE: Similar to bundling, this strategy only makes sense if your buyers are willing to purchase the products separately. If possible, test both options to see which is more cost-effective.
Ship disassembled
05
Shipping your products disassembled allows you to pack them more compactly, which lowers your FBA fees.
For example, consider a four-person dining room table that weighs 40 lbs. Assembled, the table measures 50″ x 30″ x 30″ and qualifies as an extra-large item, as its combined length and girth exceed 130″.
However, the disassembled table might be packed into a 50″ x 30″ x 10″ box. These dimensions bring the combined length and girth to exactly 130″, placing the table in the large bulky size tier.
The lowered package size reduces multiple FBA fees, including fulfillment and monthly storage costs.
Consider FBM or 3PL for some SKUs
06
If the high FBA fees for oversized items make it impossible to maintain a healthy profit margin, consider using a third-party logistics company (3PL) or Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM).
If you sell multiple products, a hybrid model can be a good compromise. You might use FBA for smaller items with shorter turnover times and switch to FBM for your larger, less frequently sold SKUs.
Amazon offers flexibility by allowing you to use both FBA and FBM for the same ASIN. This flexibility lets you test both fulfillment methods and choose the more profitable approach for each product. Moreover, if you’re enrolled in Amazon’s Seller-Fulfilled Prime (SFP) program, you can even use the Prime badge while handling fulfillment yourself.
PRO TIP: Partnering with a trusted 3PL can lower your fulfillment costs for some oversized items. Red Stag Fulfillment specializes in big, heavy, and bulky fulfillment, which allows us to negotiate lower carrier rates and pass them on to our clients. Contact us today to learn more.
Plan stock with peak season in mind
07
If you’re selling seasonal, oversized products like outdoor furniture, time your inventory to match demand patterns. When your peak sales fall outside Amazon’s peak season (October to December), keep leaner stock during those expensive months.
This strategy improves your sell-through rate, reduces yearly storage costs, and helps you avoid the steep peak-season fees.
Consider a garden chair with a unit volume of 20 cubic feet. You’ll pay approximately $11 per month in FBA oversized storage fees from January through September. During peak season, the same chair costs around $28 per month to store—a 150% increase.
In this scenario, plan your inventory to meet spring and summer demand, but then reduce stock levels during the winter months to avoid the higher storage fees.
Monitor and clear excess inventory
08
Audit your inventory regularly to spot slow-moving SKUs that drain your profits through storage costs and surcharges.
Then, take action to clear unwanted inventory through discounts, Amazon’s FBA Liquidation program, or Outlet sales. If those don’t work, remove or liquidate the stock entirely.
For example, if you find a slow-moving product with 20 weeks of remaining stock, consider removing it from your inventory immediately. Wait too long, and storage utilization surcharges kick in at 22 weeks while aged inventory fees start at 181 days.
Both fees escalate over time. If the storage utilization exceeds 52 weeks and the inventory age surpasses 365 days, you’ll pay $8 or more monthly per cubic foot of offending inventory.
Cut your losses early rather than letting these fees compound.
Enroll in Amazon’s SIPP program (Ships in Product Packaging)
09
Amazon’s SIPP program is ideal for bulky items that can be shipped in their original packaging or with minor adjustments.
While SIPP has strict packaging requirements, it offers predictable fees and fulfillment discounts. If approved, products in the SIPP program receive discounts between $0.04 and $1.32 per unit, depending on size and weight.
The benefits extend beyond savings. Using your own packaging reduces surprise fees from Amazon’s additional boxes or re-measuring and gives you a chance to improve the customer experience while promoting your brand.
For example, your product might qualify as large-standard in its original packaging, but if Amazon boxes it, the new dimensions could push it into the oversized tier and trigger higher fees.
Learn more on the Amazon Packaging website.
Use Amazon’s Warehousing and Distribution service (AWD)
10
AWD allows you to send inventory to Amazon’s off-site warehouses for cheaper storage. Amazon will then feed this inventory into your FBA as needed. This lowers your total storage rates.
AWD participants also get free access to Amazon’s inbound placement service, which allows you to override Amazon’s default distribution and send your stock to fewer fulfillment centers close to your customers.
Save through the FBA New Selection
11
Amazon’s New Selection program offers free storage, liquidations, and returns for new-to-FBA products.
Enroll your new oversized products in New Selection to test their viability with lower upfront costs. This helps you identify which items will remain profitable once full FBA oversized fees are applied.
Maximize savings through volume-based discounts
If you’re running an ecommerce business that ships large packages, juggling multiple oversized fees can be a roadblock that affects your bottom line.
Red Stag Fulfillment specializes in big, heavy, and bulky fulfillment. We offer services that integrate with your existing FBA business to potentially reduce your overall logistics costs, including FBA prep and Amazon fulfillment services.
You focus on growth. We’ll handle the oversized fulfillment.
