E‑commerce platforms tighten fee structures, sellers voice concerns

In the weeks leading up to the festive season, both Amazon and Flipkart revised fee and penalty regimes, prompting backlash from small and medium‑size enterprises (SMEs) that already operate on thin margins. Amazon will increase closing fees across its Fulfilment Center, Easy Ship and Seller Flex channels from September 7, 2026, adding ₹1 for items priced up to ₹500 and ₹3 for higher‑priced items, citing rising fuel and logistics costs. Flipkart’s new penalty matrix adds financial pressure on sellers who miss dispatch commitments. Industry representatives warn that the added charges, combined with unpredictable logistics failures, could make sellers the de‑facto financial shock absorbers of the online marketplace ecosystem. They call for transparent responsibility attribution, proportionate penalties, advance notice of fee changes and a simple dispute mechanism.