This week in Amazon news, FBA fees are going up, the IRS is sniffing around Amazon’s European strategy and the Consumer Fraud Centre wants increased anti-counterfeiting measures put in place. Learn how these issues will affect you.
Amazon Hikes FBA Fees – Starting in February of 2013, Amazon.co will be increasing FBA fees. Specifically the Weight Handling Fee will be updated to stay in line with increasing transportation costs. In addition, there will be new classifications for product sizes, including small and medium oversize. For more information read Amazon’s announcement.
Amazon’s Billion Dollar Tax Shield – Like several notable companies, Apple directs orders and intellectual property through Luxembourg in an attempt to reduce their tax liability in the United States and other countries where they operate. United States Senator Carl Levin calls the tactics, “gimmickry.” And it looks like the IRS isn’t buying it either, with calls for Amazon to pay $1.5 billion in back taxes.
Consumer Fraud Center calls Amazon Hypocritical – The Consumer Fraud Centre (CFC) says that Amazon must step up its anti-counterfeiting measures, saying that their sales practices in regards to their own Kindle product pale in comparison to the limits imposed on sellers of other manufacturers’ goods. The CFC calls for an end to unverified 3rd-party use of trademarks and copyrighted material as well as the prohibition of drop shipments from China to Amazon fulfillment centers.
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