Published: October 17, 2025
Amazon Confirms 2025 Q4 Key Dates and Cutoffs
Amazon’s peak fulfillment fees took effect October 15, 2025.
From October 15, 2025, through January 14, 2026, all major fulfillment programs — FBA, Remote Fulfillment with FBA, Multi-Channel Fulfillment, and Buy with Prime — will apply holiday peak fees.
The rates remain unchanged from last year, but the environment around them hasn’t. Inventory levels are tighter, inbound timelines are longer, and pricing flexibility is narrower.
So don’t treat these fees as just another cost update — treat them as a forecasting signal.
With the Revenue Calculator and Fee and Economics Preview Report already updated, sellers can now model real-time fulfillment costs and adjust before seasonal volume peaks.
Teams that use this window to prepare will protect margins when inbound shipping, storage, and ad spend start to climb. In short, the rate didn’t change, but the readiness did. Peak fees have become a quiet proxy for operational discipline — the difference between teams who absorb Q4 volatility and those who get caught by it.
What to Do Now
- Operations: Audit top-volume ASINs and run fulfillment cost previews this week.
- Pricing: Set promotional guardrails before Black Friday campaigns stack.
- Finance: Use this consistency window to model Q4 cash flow and buffer for volatility.
The rates may be familiar, but the landscape isn’t. Predictability is the new leverage — use it while you have it.
Quick Takeaways – 2025 Amazon Q4 Logistics Deadlines
| Deadline | Applies To | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| October 15, 2025 | Apparel & Fashion to FBA | Inventory must be received ahead of Fall Prime |
| December 1, 2025 | Standard (non-apparel) FBA | Final inbound cutoff before holiday surge |
| Mid-December (est.) | D2C / FBM Parcel Shipping | Carrier deadlines expected Dec 14–19 |
Key Holiday Deal Submission Windows
| Program | Discount Requirement | Flat Fee | Submission Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Deals | 15%+ (30%+ eligible for boosts) | $1,000 | Sept 12 / Oct 28 |
| Lightning Deals | 20%+ | $500 | Sept 12 / Oct 28 |
| Prime Exclusive Discounts (PED) | 15%+ | $100 / $245 | Open now (BFCM opens Sept 10) |
| Coupons | 5%+ | $5 + 2.5% of sales | Opens once event dates are announced |
Recommended Inventory Arrival Windows (Amazon-Announced)
| Event | AWD Intake | FBA (Minimal Splits) | FBA (Optimized Splits) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Big Deal Days | Aug 29 | Sept 10 | Sept 19 |
| Black Friday / Cyber Monday | Oct 9 | Oct 20 | Oct 30 |
Shipments using non-partnered carriers (starting Aug 18) will receive a seven-day delivery window. Arrivals within that window receive priority processing; anything outside may face delays.
Effective January 15, 2026: Non-Peak Fee Updates
Once peak fees conclude, Amazon will reinstate non-peak fulfillment fees with updated 2026 rates and policies.
- Standard-size products $10–$50: +$0.08 per unit on average.
- Small standard ($10–$50): +$0.25 per unit on average.
- Large standard ($10–$50): +$0.05 per unit on average.
- Standard-size products <$10: +$0.05 per unit; small standard +$0.12 per unit. Large standard unchanged, maintaining an average $0.86 per-unit discount vs. higher-priced items.
- Standard-size >$50: +$0.31 per unit, reflecting enhanced returns handling and processing upgrades.
Additional fee updates effective January 15 include:
- Overmax handling fee – applies to extra-large products exceeding dimensional limits.
- Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP) – certified products ship in original packaging for reduced fees.
- Low-Inventory-Level fee – charged when inventory falls below 28 days of supply.
- Low-Price FBA – automatic $0.86 discount per unit on products under $10.
2025 E-Commerce Shipping Deadlines: Beyond AWD
Source: Supply Chain Dive
Q4 Logistics Must-Haves: Tactical Services at a Glance
- SplitSmart™ – Consolidate, split, and deliver to 5 Amazon FCs in 8–10 days, skipping AWD placement fees.
- 3PL Warehousing – Fast intake, scanning, and dispatch from CA & NJ hubs.
- D2C Fulfillment – Nationwide same- and next-day delivery options.
- Full Prep & Value-Add Services – Labeling, bundling, rework, and relabeling done in-house.
- Transparent Pricing – No setup, integration, or hidden fees.
Ready to get ahead of Q4?
Book a call with the Tactical team to start your inbound plan today.