Amazon Small and Light was a widely used fulfilment option for sellers dealing in low-cost, lightweight products. It reduced fulfilment fees for vendors and made it easier to run viable margins on items that would otherwise struggle under standard FBA pricing.
However, that programme no longer exists. In 2023, Amazon officially ended it and folded parts of Small and Light into its standard fulfilment structure. However, many sellers still assume it is active and are confused when they can’t find it. Similarly, some sellers assume that there is a direct replacement for small and light, when in fact the model has changed and been absorbed into Amazon’s broader fulfilment structure.
So, to help out sellers who wanted to use Small and Light, who wonder what happened to it, and want to know how they can control fulfilment costs under the current system, Fluid Marketplaces has put together this guide to what Small and Light was, why it ended, and what sellers can use instead.
In this guide:
- What was Amazon Small and Light?
- How Amazon Small and Light worked
- Why Amazon Small and Light was discontinued
- What replaced Amazon Small and Light?
- Amazon FBA pricing today for small and low-cost items
- Is Amazon still good for small and lightweight products?
- Alternatives to the Amazon Small and Light strategy
- How to reduce Amazon FBA fees today
- Who should care about Amazon Small and Light today?
- Common misconceptions about Amazon Small and Light
- How Amazon sellers should adapt after Small and Light
- Frequently asked questions about Amazon Small and Light
What was Amazon Small and Light?
Simple explanation of the programme
FBA Small and Light was a discounted fulfilment option within Fulfilment By Amazon designed for low-cost, lightweight products. Instead of paying full FBA fees, eligible items would get reduced fulfilment costs. This made it possible to sell smaller, lower-priced products without losing too much margin to fulfilment charges.
Key features of the Small and Light programme
Ultimately, the S&L programme centred on cost reduction. Fulfilment fees were lower than standard FBA, which made a very welcome difference for items with tight profit margins.
The trade-off, however, was slower delivery speeds. Orders still moved through Amazon’s network, but they did not follow the same priority as standard Prime shipments. What’s more, eligibility for S&L was pretty restricted – products had to meet stringent price, weight, and size limits.
Who it was designed for
Small and Light worked best for sellers dealing in simple, cheaper products that didn’t cost much to pack and deliver. This included consumables, accessories, and repeat-purchase items for which profit margins depended on keeping fulfilment costs down.
Many private-label sellers and arbitrage operators also relied on the Small and Light programme, particularly those working with high-volume SKUs that could not absorb the full FBA fees.
How Amazon Small and Light worked
Eligibility requirements
Products had to fall under strict thresholds to qualify for the small and light programme. For a start, there were stringent price caps designed to limit the programme to lower-priced items.
There were also weight and size limits, which ensured that only small, lightweight products could enter. These thresholds varied slightly by marketplace, but the core idea remained consistent – only low-priced, small, and light products that didn’t cost much to post would be eligible
Fee structure explained
The main appeal of the programme was the reduced fulfilment fees. Small and Light sellers paid less per unit than standard FBA, improving margins on low-cost items. The trade-off, however, was slower delivery, which Amazon used to offset the low price of FBA rates.
Shipping and delivery expectations
As mentioned, Small and Light delivery times were longer than standard Prime. While orders still went through Amazon’s fulfilment network, they were not prioritised in the same way as standard FBA shipments. So, while customers benefited from Amazon’s reliable delivery network, Prime customers could not order items for Prime next-day delivery and often had to wait several days to receive them.
Inventory and fulfilment process
Stock was sent to Amazon fulfilment centres as normal, and from there, Amazon handled picking, packing, and dispatch. FBA Small and Light sellers did not need to manage logistics directly, but they still had to maintain stock levels and meet FBA requirements.
Why Amazon Small and Light was discontinued
Programme simplification across FBA
Amazon did not remove the Small and Light programme because it wasn’t working – it was removed as part of a wider effort to simplify and centralise its fulfilment structure. Running separate fulfilment tiers created significant complexity for both sellers and Amazon’s own systems.
Integration into standard FBA pricing
Rather than removing the concept entirely, Amazon absorbed parts of it into standard FBA pricing. So, you can now find low-price FBA rates for certain products within the main fee structure, without requiring a separate programme.
Seller experience and performance considerations
Another reason for the change was that customer expectations shifted toward faster delivery. Maintaining a separate system with slower shipping created friction with Prime standards and did nothing to advance Amazon’s determination to be known as the fastest online retailer.
At the same time, managing separate inventory categories created operational inefficiencies.
So, removing the programme allowed Amazon to boost delivery speeds and manage delivery expectations while adjusting pricing behind the scenes.
What replaced Amazon Small and Light?
So, what replaced the Small and Light programme? What can sellers who want lower FBA fees turn to these days? Let’s take a look:
Low-price FBA fulfilment rates (modern replacement)
To help out former S&L sellers, Amazon introduced lower fulfilment rates within standard FBA for low-cost items. These rates now apply automatically when products meet certain price thresholds, which removes the need for a separate programme.
How the new model works
There is no enrolment process for the new process. Instead, eligible products automatically qualify. If your product falls within the required price range, the adjusted fulfilment fee will be applied as a matter of course. This has generally been a popular move among sellers, as it simplifies setup significantly and removes the need to manage separate inventory classifications.
Key differences from Small and Light
The biggest difference between S&L and the new system is speed. Products now follow standard fulfilment timelines, resulting in faster delivery than under the old programme.
There is also no separate registration process. Everything runs within standard FBA, and eligibility is broader. However, the cost savings are often less impressive than those under the original programme.
Amazon FBA pricing today for small and low-cost items
Current fee structure overview
FBA pricing now includes tiered fulfilment fees based on size, weight, and price. Lower-priced items can qualify for reduced rates, but these are built into the standard system rather than separated into a standalone programme.
Storage fees and additional costs
Storage fees still apply monthly, which means that long-term storage charges can be a factor for slower-moving products. So, inventory management can have a direct impact on profitability.
How fees compare to the old Small and Light programme
There are still plenty of cost advantages, particularly for smaller items. However, the gap between standard FBA and the old Small and Light pricing has narrowed – largely because faster delivery expectations mean more fulfilment costs.
Is Amazon still good for small and lightweight products?
So, is Amazon still a good choice for light items and smaller products? Let’s take a look:
Pros of selling small products with FBA today
FBA still gives access to Prime delivery, which is great for conversion rates. What’s more, the fulfilment network handles logistics at scale, which reduces a lot of the operational burden for sellers.
Amazon’s global reach is also a strong advantage, particularly for brands looking to expand into multiple markets.
Challenges compared to the old Small and Light programme
Costs can be higher for some low-priced items than they were under the FBA Small and Light programme. Further, competition has increased, particularly in categories that previously relied on S&L.
As mentioned, inventory management remains a factor in profitability under the new system, as storage fees and turnover directly affect profit margins.
Alternatives to the Amazon Small and Light strategy
Optimising standard FBA for low-cost products
Bundling products can increase the value of orders and improve margins. Sellers can also adjust packaging to reduce size and weight, which can have a surprisingly large impact on fulfilment fees.
It’s worth noting that supplier costs often play a larger role under the new system, as small per-unit savings compound at scale.
Multi-channel fulfilment options
There are other fulfilment options that ecommerce businesses can take advantage of:
- Fulfilment by Merchant (FBM) gives full control over logistics and cost structure.
- Third-party logistics providers can handle storage and shipping outside of Amazon.
- A hybrid approach – combining FBA for speed and FBM for cost control – has been very effective for some brands.
Pricing strategy adjustments
Remember, pricing structures need to account for fees while still remaining competitive. This isn’t always an easy balance to strike, but there are ways to adjust pricing strategies to your brand’s advantage.
For example, raising your average order value can offset fulfilment costs, and strategically rebalancing price, cost, and conversion regularly based on performance and financial data can make a big difference over time.
How to reduce Amazon FBA fees today
Improve packaging efficiency
Smaller, lighter packaging strategies can significantly reduce fulfilment fees and storage costs.
Reduce dimensional weight charges
Keeping products within lower size tiers has a direct effect on pricing.
Optimise inventory turnover
Faster turnover reduces storage costs and frees up working capital.
Use FBA fee calculators effectively
Regularly reviewing fees will help you to identify where costs can be reduced.
Who should care about Amazon Small and Light today?
New Amazon sellers
Understanding the old programme helps explain how current pricing works.
Existing FBA sellers
Sellers who used Small and Light need to adjust their approach under the new structure.
Private label sellers
Margins on low-cost products still depend heavily on fulfilment cost control.
Common misconceptions about Amazon Small and Light
There are a lot of common misconceptions about Small and Light – the biggest one being that it still exists. It does not.
Others assume that the programme was replaced directly with an identical structure. That is not the case. The pricing model changed rather than being replicated.
There is also some confusion around availability across regions. The programme existed in multiple marketplaces, not just one.
Finally, some assume that Small and Light was always more profitable than the current model. In practice, profitability depended heavily on product type, pricing, and volume – just as it does now.
How Amazon sellers should adapt after Small and Light
Amazon Small and Light is no longer active, but the problem it addressed remains the same. Selling low-cost products still requires a tight degree of control over fulfilment costs.
Businesses shipping small, light, low-priced products should now shift their focus to working within standard FBA pricing structures, improving product economics, and using a fulfilment strategy to protect margins.
Ultimately, without Small and Light, success will come from cost control, product selection, bundling, and efficient fulfilment strategies.
Frequently asked questions about Amazon Small and Light
Is Amazon Small and Light still available?
No. Amazon discontinued the programme in 2023 and integrated elements into standard FBA pricing.
What replaced Amazon Small and Light?
Lower-cost fulfilment rates within standard FBA now automatically apply to eligible products.
Can you still get cheap FBA fees for small products?
Yes, but the structure is different. Savings depend on product price, size, and weight within the current fee system.
Is FBA still worth it for low-cost items?
It can be, but margins depend on cost control and product strategy.
What is the cheapest way to sell small items on Amazon now?
It depends on the product. Some sellers use FBA with optimised packaging, while others use FBM or a hybrid approach to reduce costs.
Need help with a strategy that will provide Amazon growth for your brand?
Fluid Marketplaces is a full-service Amazon growth agency and our specialists provide expert guidance to brands on Amazon advertising and PPC, content, optimisation, SEO and the pros and cons of different fulfilment options. We also have access to a network of partner companies that can provide in-depth advice on fulfilment and logistics, tax and compliance. To speak to us about your brand’s requirements, contact us here.
