Important Update: Improved Storage Fee Structure Effective 01 June 2026
From 1 June 2026, Takealot will charge storage fees only on stock exceeding the 35-day cover threshold, and per-unit rates are being updated — turning an all-or-nothing fee into a more predictable, growth-friendly cost structure.
Takealot is updating how storage fees are applied to inventory held in its Distribution Centres (DCs). The change is designed to make products with a recent rate of sale more widely available to customers and to encourage more responsible inventory planning.
Effective 1 June 2026, storage fees will be charged only on the portion of stock that exceeds the 35-day stock cover threshold. The per-unit storage fee is also being updated.
Previously, when a product exceeded the 35-day stock cover threshold, storage fees were charged on the entire on-hand quantity. Under the new structure, only the units above the threshold are charged — giving sellers a more predictable, growth-friendly cost structure.
Understanding Stock Days Cover
Takealot applies a monthly storage fee to overstocked products at the end of each month, using sales performance from the last 30 days.
Stock Days Cover = Current Stock ÷ Average Daily Sales (last 30 days)
Optimal range: 20 – 35 days per product
Example: If you hold 350 units and have averaged 10 units/day over the last 30 days, your stock days cover is 35 days — meaning your inventory will last just over one month at the current sales rate.
Updated Storage Fee per Unit (Effective 1 June 2026)
| Size Category | Size Range (cm³) | 0–35 Days Cover | 35+ Days — Old (all units) |
35+ Days — New (excess units only) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 0 – 60,000 | R0 | R2 | R4 |
| Standard | 60,001 – 130,000 | R0 | R6 | R12 |
| Large | 130,001 – 200,000 | R0 | R12.50 | R25 |
| Extra Large | 200,001 – 275,000 | R0 | R22.50 | R45 |
| Oversize | 275,001 – 545,000 | R0 | R75 | R150 |
| Bulky | 545,001 – 775,000 | R0 | R125 | R250 |
| Extra Bulky | > 775,000 | R0 | R225 | R450 |
*Storage fees are charged on the 1st day of the following month (e.g., December's storage fees are charged on 1 January).
How to Calculate Your New Storage Fee (4 Steps)
You can apply the new rule to any of your own SKUs with the four steps below. Inputs you need: average daily sales over the last 30 days, on-hand stock at the start of the month, and your size category's new per-unit rate (from the table above).
- Stock Days Cover = On-hand Stock ÷ Average Daily Sales (last 30 days)
If the result is ≤ 35, you owe R0 — stop here. - Ideal Stock for 35-Day Cover = Average Daily Sales × 35
- Excess Units = On-hand Stock − Ideal Stock for 35-Day Cover
Round to the nearest whole unit; only excess units are charged. - New Storage Fee = Excess Units × New Per-Unit Rate (for your size category)
Old rule, for comparison: Old Storage Fee = On-hand Stock × Old Per-Unit Rate — billed on the full on-hand quantity once the 35-day threshold was crossed.
Worked Example — A Small Wall Clock
| Wall Clock (Small) | Old Storage Fee | New Storage Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Units sold last 30 days | 10 | |
| Stock units on 1st of month | 15 | |
| Stock Days Cover | 45 days | |
| Ideal units for 35-day cover | 11 | |
| Units eligible for charge | 15 | 4 |
| Charge per unit | R2 | R4 |
| Final charge (Ex VAT) | R30 | R16 |
Although the per-unit rate has doubled, fees are now only charged on the excess units. For sellers who are only mildly over the threshold, the net effect is typically a lower bill — though sellers with significant overstocks may still see total fees rise. Keeping stock days cover in the 20–35 day range remains the optimal strategy.
What This Means for Sellers
- Pay only for overstocked units — units within the 35-day cover threshold are free of storage charge.
- More predictable costs — fees scale with how far over you are, not a flat all-or-nothing charge.
- Improved stock management — replenish without the fear of triggering a charge on your entire on-hand quantity.
- Better customer experience — sellers can confidently maintain healthy stock levels on high-demand SKUs.
How 辉光ERP Helps
辉光ERP automatically tracks your 30-day sales rate, computes stock days cover for every SKU, and surfaces overstock risk before the month closes — so you can rebalance inventory before fees are triggered, not after. Our replenishment recommendations are already aligned to the 20–35 day optimal range under the new rules.
Source: Takealot Seller Communications — Improved Storage Fee Structure, published 14 May 2026.