Overview

Amazon's selling fee schedule is one of the most important reference documents for any seller on the platform. It outlines every fee Amazon charges — from referral fees and per-item charges to closing fees and subscription costs. Understanding this fee structure is essential for accurate product pricing, profit margin calculations, and overall business planning.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Referral fees are category-based — Amazon charges a percentage of each sale as a referral fee, and the rate varies by product category, typically ranging from 6% to 45%, with most categories falling between 8% and 15%.
• Two selling plans exist — Individual sellers pay $0.99 per item sold with no monthly subscription, while Professional sellers pay $39.99 per month with no per-item fee.
• Minimum referral fees apply — Most categories have a minimum referral fee of $0.30 per item, meaning Amazon collects either the percentage-based fee or the minimum, whichever is greater.
• Additional closing fees for media — Books, music, DVDs, and other media items carry a variable closing fee of $1.80 per item sold, on top of the referral fee.
• Amazon always charges the lower of stated fees — If Amazon communicates promotional or reduced fee rates, sellers receive whichever fee is lower between the standard schedule and the promotional rate.
• The Revenue Calculator helps estimate costs — Amazon provides a Revenue Calculator tool within Seller Central that lets sellers model fees for specific products before listing them.

How Referral Fees Work

Referral fees are the primary cost of selling on Amazon and are calculated as a percentage of the total sales price, which includes the item price and any shipping or gift wrap charges. Each product category has its own referral fee percentage. For example, consumer electronics typically carry an 8% referral fee, while clothing and accessories are charged 17%. Amazon-specific device accessories can be charged up to 45%. Most general merchandise categories like home, kitchen, and toys fall in the 15% range. Sellers should always check the current fee schedule for their specific categories, as Amazon periodically adjusts these rates.