Amazon’s Selling Partner API (SP API) has been the backbone of third-party tools that help sellers manage their daily operations. From inventory management and pricing automation to analytics and reporting, this API quietly powered the systems that kept eCommerce businesses running smoothly. For more than a decade, this access was completely free. That period of free use will officially end in 2026. On November 3rd, 2025 Amazon announced a new fee structure for its SP API that changes how developers, and eventually sellers, will interact with the platform. While the charges will apply directly to third-party developers, the reality is that these costs will be passed on to sellers through higher software subscriptions. The question Amazon sellers should now be asking is not “Why is Amazon introducing these fees?” but “How will this affect my software costs and profit margins?” The answer depends on how efficient your software provider is. The new fee model cannot be avoided, but smart sellers can reduce the financial impact by understanding the structure and ensuring that their tools are built to be efficient and cost-optimized. Those who act now will be ready when the Amazon SP API 2026 Fees come into effect. What’s Changing in SP-API Fees 2026 Amazon has officially announced a new SP API fee structure that takes effect in 2026. Since its introduction,developers could access the Selling Partner API for free. This free access is ending as Amazon moves to a paid model to support continued investment in developer tools and infrastructure. While these fees are billed to third-party developers, sellers will likely experience higher software subscription costs as these expenses are passed down. Here’s what’s changing. Fee 1: Annual Subscription ($1,400 USD) Starting January 31, 2026, every third-party developer using the Amazon Selling Partner API must pay an annual subscription fee of $1,400 USD. This fee is required for access to Amazon’s Solution Provider Portal and production-level API use. Seller impact: This charge applies to every SP API-connected tool. Sellers may see small increases in software pricing starting in 2026. Fee 2: Metered Monthly GET Calls From April 30, 2026, developers will be charged for the number of GET calls their software makes each month. GET calls retrieve data like orders, prices, and inventory. POST, PUT, and PATCH calls (used to send or update data) remain free. Here’s the new SP API pricing structure: Real Cost Example: The $2,200 Per Month Scenario A software provider making 28 million GET calls a month falls into the Pro Tier ($1,000) plus 3 million overage calls. Overage cost: $3,000 × $0.40 = $1,200 Total monthly cost: $1,000 + $1,200 = $2,200 per month These fees can lead to subscription increases of 10 to 25 percent for sellers using such tools. Inefficient systems that make redundant GET calls will now directly cost more, making API optimization essential. Key Dates to Watch (Urgency Timeline) Amazon’s rollout of the new SP API fee structure will take place in several stages throughout early 2026. Knowing these dates is important because they determine when developers must act and when sellers may start seeing changes in their connected tools or services. Here are the confirmed milestones from Amazon’s official announcement: January 31, 2026: The annual $1,400 subscription fee begins for all third-party developers using the SP API. February 9, 2026: Applications without valid billing or tax information will be removed from the Amazon Selling Partner Appstore, and new authorizations will be blocked. February 16, 2026: Developers who still have not submitted billing information will lose access to the SP API entirely until their accounts are verified. April 30, 2026: Monthly usage-based billing for GET calls officially begins, marking the start of Amazon’s new API pricing model. These deadlines are non-negotiable and directly tied to system access. Developers who fail to comply will have their applications disconnected, which could temporarily disrupt services for sellers using those tools. Seller Tip: Ask your software provider if they are already preparing for the new billing requirements and optimizing API usage. Ensuring your tools are compliant before February 2026 will prevent interruptions in order syncing, inventory updates, and reporting. Why It Matters: Efficiency Equals Savings Amazon’s new SP API fee structure means every sync between your store and Amazon now carries a cost. While these fees are billed to developers, sellers will feel the impact through higher software subscriptions. The biggest factor is API efficiency. Tools that make too many GET calls to check data like orders or inventory will quickly exceed Amazon’s free limits and trigger overage fees. Developers will pass these costs to sellers, increasing monthly or annual tool pricing. In contrast, optimized platforms that use event-based updates, batch reports, and smarter data syncing will stay within lower usage tiers. That means less wasted API activity, faster performance, and lower overall costs. Simply put, efficiency now equals savings. Sellers using outdated or fragmented software will pay more, while those using well-optimized systems will maintain tighter control over expenses under the new Amazon SP API 2026 fees. The Smart Seller’s Guide to Cutting API Costs (Actionable Demands) With the new Amazon SP API 2026 fees, every GET call now impacts your software provider’s cost. Smart sellers can stay ahead by ensuring their tools are optimized for efficiency. 1. Use Notifications Instead of Polling Old way: Constantly checking Amazon for updates using repeated GET calls. Better way: Use Amazon Notifications API to get alerts only when data changes. Seller Question: “Does your software use Notifications API or polling?” Seller Takeaway: Event-driven updates mean your system is already optimized for the new SP API billing. 2. Use Bulk Reports for Large Data Retrieval Old way: Fetching thousands of orders or listings one by one. Better way: Use Amazon Reports to pull large datasets in one call and reduce GET calls by up to 90%. Seller Question: “Does your tool use Amazon Reports for bulk data collection?” Seller Takeaway: Report-based systems are more efficient and ready for SP API pricing 2026. 3. Cache Static Data Locally Old way: Repeatedly requesting the same product or catalog data that rarely changes. Better way: Cache data locally and refresh only when updates occur. Seller Question: “Do you cache product data to reduce GET calls?” Seller Takeaway: Cached systems cut redundant API usage and lower costs. 4. Use One Centralized Backend Old way: Multiple tools making separate API calls to Amazon. Better way: A centralized backend system like eSellerHub connects all operations through one integration. Seller Question: “Are all my tools connected through one backend system?” Seller Takeaway: A unified setup eliminates duplicate API calls and keeps costs low. How eSellerHub Helps Smart Sellers Stay Ahead Backed by real engineering, eSellerHub is powered by TOPS Infosolutions, a team of Amazon certified developers with deep experience in building scalable 3PL and eCommerce platforms. In a market where every API call now carries a cost, smart sellers are consolidating before the new fees hit. eSellerHub makes that shift seamless. One platform, all channels Connect Amazon, Shopify, eBay, and Walmart through a single backend that eliminates redundant API calls and overlapping integrations. Built for the new SP-API era The optimized integration architecture helps you stay within Amazon’s Basic tier by cutting unnecessary GET requests and reducing overhead. Real-time sync that scales Event-driven updates replace constant polling, keeping data accurate, operations smooth, and costs predictable. Tailored to your workflow Whether you manage one storefront or ten, eSellerHub adapts to your business, not the other way around. Conclusion Amazon’s new SP API fee structure marks an important shift for every seller and software provider. Efficiency now directly affects operating costs. Sellers who understand how their tools communicate with Amazon will be in a stronger position to manage expenses and protect their profit margins. The smartest move is to prepare early. Review your current software, speak with your technology providers, and confirm that your integrations are optimized for the upcoming Amazon SP API 2026 fees. Many sellers are already adopting centralized, event-driven solutions that minimize API usage while improving accuracy and speed. With the right backend system, this change can become an opportunity to streamline operations, reduce costs, and scale more efficiently in the years ahead.