Why Am I Being Charged Extra for Shipping with Amazon Prime?

Shopping comfortably and safely is a desire to get the goods we like with fewer problems. One platform that provides this is Amazon Prime.

Amazon Prime promises the convenience of free and fast shipping. But sometimes, unfamiliar costs suddenly appear, making us wonder.

Especially if we are Prime members who have subscribed and spent a lot of money, we will have a headache thinking about the extra charges from Amazon Prime.

How could this happen? How can you get the real benefits without having to lose extra costs?

This blog post will discuss the reasons behind unexpected Amazon Prime shipping fees and how to avoid them.

What is Amazon Prime?

Amazon Prime is the name for users who have used the paid subscription service offered by Amazon. With this paid subscription, members get various benefits.

You can get Amazon Prime for $14.99 per month or $139 per year.

You can also use several other Prime Access and Prime Student plan options.

Prime Access costs $6.99 monthly for customers with qualifying government assistance (like SNAP, EBT, or Medicaid). Meanwhile, Prime Student costs $7.49 monthly or $69 annually for students with a valid .edu email address.

The main benefits of becoming an Amazon Prime member are shopping privileges, streaming services, and other features such as Prime Reading and Prime Gaming.

Amazon Prime's Benefits for Shopping

Amazon Prime offers several perks for shopping and free shipping.

You can get free two-day shipping on millions of eligible items, free same-day delivery in select areas, and free release-date delivery on select pre-order items.

Apart from that, you can get exclusive access to a massive annual sales event with significant discounts, get 30-minute early access to select Lightning Deals, and even try on clothes and shoes before purchasing.

Amazon Prime's Benefits for Streaming Services

Apart from shopping, you can also listen to music and watch videos freely if you join Amazon Prime.

With Prime Video, you can access an extensive library of movies, TV shows, and Amazon Originals.

Meanwhile, for Amazon Music Prime, you can get ad-free streaming of over 100 million songs, plus podcasts. You can upgrade to Amazon Music Unlimited for an even more extensive catalog.

Related reading: Why Am I Being Charged Twice for Amazon Music?

Amazon Prime's Other Benefits

Apart from the shopping and streaming experiences that many people love and need, you can also enjoy Prime Reading, Prime Gaming, and Amazon Photos.

Prime Reading can be used to access a rotating selection of eBooks, magazines, and comics. It is suitable for those of you who like reading rather than shopping.

Then, you can subscribe to Prime Gaming for free games and in-game content every month with Twitch.

However, if you want to add storage for photos, you can use Amazon Photo for unlimited photo storage.

Why am I being charged shipping when I have Amazon Prime?

Buying Amazon Prime is to enjoy free shipping on shopping, but what if you are charged additional delivery costs when you are already a Prime member.

Reasons for Extra Shipping Charges on Amazon Prime

You are charged additional shipping costs when you subscribe to Amazon Prime for several reasons.

1. Marketplace Sellers

Items sold by third-party sellers on Amazon Marketplace may not be eligible for Prime's free shipping benefits. Always check the seller details on the product page.

2. Non-Eligible Items

Some items, such as large or heavy products or products containing hazardous materials, may still incur shipping charges. The product page should indicate whether the product is excluded from free shipping

3. Order Value Below Threshold

If you're not a Prime member, free shipping may only apply to orders over a specific value, such as $25. Make sure your order meets the minimum quantity.

4. Shipping Speed

Choosing options like Same-Day or One-Day shipping can increase costs, even for Prime members.

5. Location

Not all addresses qualify for Prime's free shipping benefits. Remote locations or locations outside the United States (Alaska, Hawaii, etc.) may incur fees.

How to Check for Shipping Eligibility

Before making an order, check whether shipping is free or whether you will be charged additional shipping costs.

Step #1: Product Page

Look for the "Prime" logo and details about free shipping on the item's page.

Step #2: Checkout

During the checkout process, shipping options and costs will be clearly outlined.

Why am I being charged for return shipping on Amazon?

When you receive items from shopping via Amazon, you will want to return them. This is where the question of whether you will be charged for returning goods even though you are a Prime member will arise.

You might be charged return shipping on Amazon for a few reasons.

Reason #1: Seller-Fulfilled Returns

You will not pay a return fee if the item you receive differs significantly from the listing description or if the item arrives damaged or defective.

The seller is usually responsible for return shipping costs in such cases.

However, if you change your mind about the item and the item is within the seller's return policy period, you may be responsible for return shipping costs.

Reason #2: Amazon-Fulfilled Returns

Many items are eligible for free returns, mainly if Amazon sells and ships directly.

Sometimes, even with Amazon-fulfilled items, you may be charged return shipping if the reason is simply a change of mind.

Items in certain categories, such as bulky or bulky items, may be subject to return shipping charges.

Find out why you're being charged and how to potentially avoid it:

Step #1: Check Your Order Details

View your order details on Amazon. It should specify the reason for the return and any associated costs.

Step #2: Review the Seller's Return Policy

If it is an item that the seller fulfills, read their return policy carefully. It will outline their specific rules regarding return shipping fees.

Step #3: Review Amazon's Return Policies

Amazon's help page provides detailed information about their return policies: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GKM69DUUYKQWKWX7.

Step #4: Contact Amazon Customer Service

Contact Amazon customer service if you still need to determine the return shipping charge or believe it's incorrect. They can clarify the reason and waive the fee if it's an error.

Conclusion

While Amazon Prime offers great shipping benefits, it's essential to know why additional shipping fees may still be charged.

Prime eligibility, item availability from third-party sellers, individual order value, and product type can all impact final shipping costs.

To avoid surprises, always carefully review the shipping details outlined at checkout, and for further clarification, consult Amazon customer service resources.