• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has analyzed that the U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) is highly unlikely to lower policy rates over the next year.
  • In its annual U.S. economic review report published on the 2nd, the IMF stated, “There is little scope [for the Fed] to lower the policy rate over the coming year,” and diagnosed, “A larger monetary easing would need to be predicated on a material worsening in labor market prospects and an absence of increasing inflationary pressures.”
  • In a separate statement, the IMF Executive Board said, “There is little room to cut interest rates in 2026, particularly given the rise in energy prices, the likely passthrough to core inflation, and the upside risks to global commodity prices that are likely to further delay the return to the inflation target.”

Source: chosun.com

 Amazon had a fuel surcharge on FBA fulfillment fees during the 2021–2025 period — specifically a 5% “fuel and inflation surcharge” in 2022.Here are the key details:

  • When it applied: Announced in mid-April 2022 and effective April 28, 2022. It was added on top of existing FBA fulfillment fees (averaging about $0.24 per unit at the time).
  • Why: Rising fuel costs, inflation, and supply-chain disruptions (post-COVID and after the Russia-Ukraine invasion drove oil prices higher).

 Amazon did not remove (or reverse) the fuel surcharge when gas prices dropped.Here’s exactly what happened with the 2022 surcharge:

  • April 2022: Amazon introduced the temporary 5% Fuel & Inflation Surcharge on FBA fulfillment fees (effective April 28), citing high fuel costs, inflation, and supply-chain issues.
  • Gas prices timeline:
    • Peaked in June 2022 (national average > $5/gallon).
    • Dropped sharply through the fall — by November 2022 it was down to ~$3.80/gallon, and by December ~$3.32/gallon.
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In other words:
 The separate “fuel surcharge” label disappeared after gas prices had already fallen significantly.
 Sellers got no relief — the extra cost was simply baked into the regular FBA rates going forward.This is why many sellers (then and now) point out that Amazon’s “temporary” surcharges often become permanent increases in practice. The current 2026 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge is following a very similar playbook.