What Are Amazon’s FBA Removal Fees—and How Can You Avoid Them?
If you’ve ever pulled unsold inventory from Amazon’s warehouses, you’ve probably seen a charge labeled “FBA Removal Fee” on your statement. And if you weren’t expecting it, the cost can feel like a surprise tax on your business.
These fees are real. They add up. And in some cases, they’re avoidable — if you plan ahead.
This guide breaks down what Amazon’s FBA removal fees are, when you get charged, and how you can cut them down or avoid them altogether without hurting your business.
What Are Amazon FBA Removal Fees?
FBA removal fees are what Amazon charges you when you ask them to remove your inventory from their fulfillment centers and either:
- Return it to you
- Dispose of it on your behalf
Why would you need to remove inventory?
- The product isn’t selling
- You’re avoiding long-term storage fees
- You’re liquidating or sunsetting the SKU
- The listing got suspended or restricted
- You need to repackage, relabel, or bundle it differently
The fee is per unit, based on the size and weight of each item — not the number of SKUs.
Here’s the official FBA removal fee schedule
How Much Do Removal Fees Cost?
As of 2025, Amazon’s typical removal fees are:
- Standard-size items:
$0.97 – $2.83 per unit, depending on weight - Oversize items:
$2.05 – $13.05+ per unit, depending on dimensions and weight - Disposal vs Return:
Same fee, whether you’re disposing or having it returned
That means pulling 500 units of a slow-moving, oversized item could cost you thousands — just to get them back.
When Are You Most at Risk of Paying These Fees?
Amazon gives you limited space, and when your inventory overstays its welcome, it costs you:
- Aged inventory surcharges kick in after 181 days
- Storage fees increase during Q4
- Restock limits can prevent you from sending in new inventory until you clear space
If you’re approaching your limits, Amazon will often recommend removing inventory — and sellers rush to comply, paying fees without realizing the true cost.
The result: You end up eating into margin to fix a storage issue that could’ve been prevented with better planning.
How to Avoid or Minimize FBA Removal Fees
- Track inventory aging in Seller Central
Go to Inventory > Inventory Age and filter by SKU. Look for anything 90+ days unsold and set a review cadence (monthly or biweekly). - Use Amazon’s Inventory Health Report
This will show you:- Units approaching surcharge windows
- SKUs with low sell-through
- Recommendations to reduce aged inventory risk
- Send smaller shipments more frequently
It’s often better to send 3 smaller shipments over 6 months than one bulk shipment that sits too long. - Run a liquidation deal before removing
Instead of paying to remove, discount the product via Amazon Outlet or a coupon stack and recover some cash. Sometimes even breakeven is better than removal loss. - Repackage or bundle instead of removing
If your product isn’t converting, you might not need to pull it — you might need to reposition it. Bundling, relabeling, or updating content can often revive stale inventory. - Work with a third-party prep center
If you must remove inventory, consider having it returned to a 3PL or prep facility — not your garage. They can rework it for relisting or alternate channels.
Bonus Tip: Use the Free Removals Window (If It Comes Back)
Amazon occasionally offers free removal promotions, typically in Q1 or after peak seasons. Watch your inbox and announcements in Seller Central for limited-time offers that waive fees.
If you’re sitting on dead stock, those windows are your best chance to clear inventory without penalty.
Don’t Let Fees Eat Your Margins. Fix the Cause, Not Just the Cost.
At Space Command, we don’t just talk listings and PPC. We help brands think strategically about inventory, restock timing, and margin protection — including where removal fees are quietly bleeding profits.
We’ve helped clients:
- Predict and prevent aged inventory surcharges
- Audit storage class errors costing thousands
- Shift FBA to FBM or 3PL during high-fee months
- Avoid full removals by repositioning instead
Want to stop paying for mistakes you could’ve prevented? Work with Space Command and let’s start with your inventory strategy.
FAQ
What are Amazon FBA removal fees?
They’re per-unit charges Amazon applies when you ask to remove or dispose of inventory stored in their fulfillment centers.
How much does it cost to remove FBA inventory?
It ranges from ~$0.97 to $13+ per unit, depending on size, weight, and item class.
When should I consider removing inventory?
When items are stagnant, approaching surcharge age, or if they’re unfixable from a listing or review standpoint.
Can I avoid FBA removal fees completely?
Not always, but with smart forecasting and aged inventory management, you can avoid needing them in most cases.
Is it better to remove or liquidate inventory?
It depends. Liquidation may bring in less money, but it’s often better than paying to dispose of stock with zero return.