FAQ: Charging Customer Overages on AWS Marketplace (User-Based Billing)

Q: How do I charge a customer for usage beyond their contracted amount (e.g., extra users)?
A: If your AWS listing is a contract with consumption, the contract covers the committed amount and a usage dimension handles anything above it. You report the overage via metering in Clazar; AWS adds the charge to the customer's next AWS invoice at the dimension's per-unit rate. No separate invoicing is needed, and the charge counts toward the customer's AWS commit.

Q: How do I submit a metering record in Clazar?
A: Metering → AWS Metering Received tab → New Record → select the listing → search and select the buyer's contract → choose the usage dimension → enter the quantity → Review → Submit. The record's status shows on the same page, and the charge appears on the customer's upcoming AWS invoice. See: AWS Metering article.

Q: My usage dimension is priced annually. Can I charge a monthly (prorated) overage against it?
A: No. AWS bills every metered unit at the dimension's set rate — there is no automatic proration, and metering only accepts whole numbers. Metering 1 unit against an annual-rate dimension bills the full annual price. To bill monthly, add a separate monthly-rate dimension (e.g., "Additional User (Monthly)" at 1/12th of the annual rate).

Q: Can I add or change usage dimensions on a published listing?
A: New dimensions can be added anytime (AWS review typically takes 24–48 hours). Existing dimensions cannot be changed once published.

Q: Will a newly added dimension apply to customers on existing private offers?
A: No — private offers lock in usage pricing at acceptance. To meter an existing customer on a new dimension, send an Agreement-Based Offer (ABO) that includes it; once accepted, you can meter against it. Note: a draft ABO created before the dimension was added won't have it — create a new ABO.

Q: What should I watch out for when creating the ABO?
A: An ABO can only be created on an active contract. Keep the same end date unless you're extending the term, and only include amounts not yet invoiced — re-adding already-billed contract value double-charges the customer. If you're only adding a dimension, keep the contract value at $0.

Q: What's the right metering cadence for monthly overages?
A: Report the overage count right after each month closes (usage can't be backdated). If the customer is back under their commitment in a given month, simply don't meter that month. Always meter against the monthly dimension, not the annual one.