How to Understand Amazon's Final-Mile Delivery Fees?

Amazon, one of the largest e-commerce platforms in the world, relies heavily on its logistics system to support business growth. In recent years, with the continuous expansion of the e-commerce industry, logistics costs have become a focal point for merchants. Among these, last-mile delivery fees have become a hot topic among many sellers. How should we view Amazon's last-mile fees? This not only concerns cost control for sellers but also reflects deeper issues within the entire e-commerce ecosystem.

First, it is essential to clarify what last-mile fees mean. Last-mile delivery refers to the final leg of the journey from an Amazon warehouse to the consumer's hands, which is a critical link in the supply chain. For Amazon, this part of the fee involves warehousing, distribution center operations, and last-kilometer delivery, among other aspects. Over the past few years, Amazon has continuously adjusted its last-mile fee policies, such as increasing fuel surcharges and modifying weight calculation rules, all of which directly impact merchants' actual expenditures.

From news reports, Amazon's adjustments to last-mile fees are not random occurrences. According to relevant reports, due to inflationary pressures and rising labor costs in the global logistics industry, Amazon has had to increase last-mile fees to maintain service quality and operational efficiency. For instance, at the beginning of 2025, Amazon announced an increase in last-mile delivery fees for certain regions, sparking extensive discussions. On one hand, some argue that this is a necessary measure by the platform to cope with cost pressures; on the other hand, there are concerns that this could further compress profit margins for small and medium-sized sellers.

However, when analyzed from a broader perspective, Amazon's adjustment of last-mile fees actually reflects new trends in the development of the e-commerce industry. With the growing demand for online shopping, consumers are placing higher demands on delivery speed and service quality. To meet these needs, e-commerce platforms need to invest more resources in optimizing their logistics networks. For example, Amazon has built numerous fulfillment centers worldwide and launched Prime membership services offering next-day or even same-day delivery. While this high-standard service model undoubtedly enhances user experience, it also means higher operational costs.

For sellers, faced with pressure from rising last-mile fees, they need to adopt more flexible strategies to balance costs and returns. For instance, they can reduce per-item logistics costs through bulk purchasing and optimizing inventory management. They can also alleviate dependence on the Amazon platform by outsourcing part of the delivery tasks to third-party logistics providers 3PLs. Notably, in recent years, a batch of cross-border logistics companies has emerged in the market, offering customized solutions that may help sellers find more cost-effective options.

At the same time, we should recognize that Amazon's adjustment of last-mile fees is not an isolated event but part of the overall e-commerce ecosystem. In fact, not only Amazon, but other e-commerce platforms like eBay and Shopify are also gradually improving their logistics service systems. This indicates that the future of the e-commerce industry may form a more diversified and competitive logistics landscape. Under this background, sellers need stronger adaptability and innovation capabilities to stand out in intense market competition.

Amazon's adjustment of last-mile fees is both the result of its own operational strategy and a microcosm of the development of the e-commerce industry. For sellers, it is important to understand the logic behind this change and actively seek ways to address it. Only in this way can they maintain competitiveness in this rapidly changing market environment. At the same time, we look forward to Amazon exploring more reasonable fee mechanisms while enhancing service quality, jointly promoting the healthy and sustainable development of the e-commerce industry.