How Amazon FBA storage fees work
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) charges a monthly inventory storage fee for the space your products take up in Amazon's fulfilment centres. Unlike the referral and fulfilment fees — which are charged per sale — storage is charged on what you have sitting in stock, every month, whether it sells or not. The fee is based on daily average volume measured in cubic feet, and the rate depends on two things: whether the item is standard-size or oversize, and the time of year.
The formula
Monthly storage fee = unit volume (cu ft) × rate per cu ft × units in stock. Unit volume is the packaged dimensions in inches multiplied together and divided by 1,728 (the number of cubic inches in a cubic foot). Because the rate roughly triples in Q4, the same inventory can cost dramatically more to hold in November than in March.
How to use this calculator
- Choose standard-size or oversize — this sets the per-cubic-foot rate.
- Pick the season (or leave it on Auto to use the current month).
- Enter the packaged dimensions (measure the box you ship to Amazon, not the bare product) and your units in stock.
- Read the monthly fee and, by raising "months stored", project the cost over a longer holding period.
Amazon FBA monthly storage rates (2026)
| Product size | Jan–Sep (off-peak) | Oct–Dec (Q4 peak) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard-size | $0.78 / cu ft | $2.40 / cu ft |
| Oversize | $0.56 / cu ft | $1.40 / cu ft |
Rates are for the Amazon US marketplace and are estimates for planning. Amazon also applies additional charges not modelled here — an aged-inventory (long-term storage) surcharge and a storage-utilisation surcharge for sellers holding too much stock relative to sales. Always confirm current rates and surcharges in Amazon Seller Central.
The aged-inventory (long-term storage) surcharge
On top of the monthly fee, Amazon adds an aged-inventory surcharge on units that have sat in fulfilment centres for a long time — escalating the longer stock lingers, with the steepest charges on inventory held beyond roughly a year. The practical takeaway: storage fees punish slow sell-through twice — once through the monthly fee and again through aging surcharges. Keeping 2–3 months of cover rather than a year's worth is the simplest way to control both.
How to reduce FBA storage fees
- Shrink the package. Storage is pure volume, so trimming box dimensions cuts the fee directly — and can also drop you into a cheaper fulfilment tier.
- Send less, more often. Smaller, more frequent shipments keep average inventory (and the fee) down.
- Sell through before Q4. Avoid carrying dead stock into October when rates triple; clear slow movers with promotions first.
- Remove or liquidate stragglers. Inventory that won't sell within a couple of months often costs more to store than it's worth.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Amazon charge for FBA storage in 2026?
Standard-size inventory costs $0.78 per cubic foot per month from January to September and $2.40 in Q4 (October–December). Oversize is $0.56 off-peak and $1.40 in Q4. The fee is based on your daily average volume in storage.
Why are storage fees higher in Q4?
Space is scarcest in the run-up to the holidays, so Amazon raises monthly storage rates roughly 2–3× from October through December to discourage hoarding and free up capacity for fast-moving stock.
Do I measure the product or the box?
The packaged dimensions — the box Amazon stores. Use the outer length, width and height of the unit as it sits on the shelf.
Are storage fees the same as fulfilment fees?
No. The fulfilment fee is charged once per unit sold (pick, pack and ship). The storage fee is charged every month on unsold inventory. Both are separate from the referral fee. Combine all three in the FBA Profit Calculator.
What is the aged-inventory surcharge?
An extra monthly charge on stock that has been in fulfilment centres a long time, rising the longer it sits — heaviest on inventory held beyond about a year. It is in addition to the standard monthly storage fee.
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Disclaimer: estimates only, for planning purposes. Amazon storage fees vary by size, season and marketplace and can change, and surcharges may apply. Verify current fees in Amazon Seller Central before making decisions. Some links on this page are affiliate links.