How Amazon seller fees work
Every Amazon sale carries up to four kinds of fees. This calculator adds them up per unit so you can see real profit before you send inventory in or list an item:
- Selling plan. The Individual plan charges $0.99 per item sold. The Professional plan is a flat $39.99 a month no matter how much you sell, so its cost per unit falls as volume rises. The two cost the same at about 40 units a month.
- Referral fee. Amazon's commission, a percentage of the total sales price (item price plus any shipping or gift wrap the buyer pays). It's 15% in most categories, 8% for consumer electronics and computers, and tiered in a few categories. Most categories have a $0.30 minimum per item.
- Closing fee. Books, music, DVDs, video and software add a flat $1.80 per item.
- FBA fulfillment fee. If Amazon stores and ships your product, it charges a per-unit fee based on size tier and weight. Because those tables change often and depend on exact dimensions, enter the fee from Amazon's Revenue Calculator rather than relying on an estimate.
The formula
referral fee = max(total × category rate, $0.30)
Amazon fees = referral fee + plan cost per unit + closing fee + FBA fee
profit = total sales price − Amazon fees − item cost − your shipping & prep
margin = profit ÷ total sales price · ROI = profit ÷ item cost
Example: a $25 kitchen gadget
You sell a kitchen gadget for $25 with free shipping on the Individual plan and ship it yourself. The item cost you $8, and the label and packaging cost $5.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Referral fee (15% of $25) | $3.75 |
| Individual plan fee | $0.99 |
| Total Amazon fees | $4.74 |
| Payout ($25 − $4.74) | $20.26 |
| Minus item cost ($8) and shipping ($5) | $7.26 profit |
| Margin ($7.26 ÷ $25) | 29.0% |
| ROI ($7.26 ÷ $8) | 90.8% |
Switch to the Professional plan at 50 units a month and the plan cost drops to $0.80 per unit, adding $0.19 to each sale's profit.
Tiered categories
Some categories change rate with price. In clothing and accessories the whole price is charged 5% at $15 or less, 10% from $15.01 to $20, and 17% above $20. Beauty, health and baby pay 8% at $10 or less and 15% above; grocery pays 8% at $15 or less and 15% above. Electronics accessories (15% on the first $100, 8% on the rest) and jewelry (20% on the first $250, 5% on the rest) only apply the lower rate to the portion above the threshold. Categories not listed, such as watches, furniture and Amazon device accessories, have their own rates: use the custom option.
Tips for pricing on Amazon
- Watch the tier edges. A $20.99 shirt pays 17% ($3.57); drop it to $19.99 and it pays 10% ($2.00), so the cheaper price can net you more.
- Don't forget storage. FBA monthly storage and aged-inventory fees aren't included here. Slow sellers can quietly eat their margin.
- Price in returns. Categories like clothing see high return rates, and returns cost you shipping and sometimes a refund administration fee.
- Check the minimum. On very cheap items the $0.30 minimum plus $0.99 per-item fee can take a large share of the sale.
- Ask about new-seller incentives. Amazon offers credits and fee reductions to new Professional sellers, which can make the first year cheaper than this calculator shows.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Amazon take per sale?
Most sellers pay a referral fee of 8% to 15% of the total sale price (15% in most categories, with a $0.30 minimum per item), plus $0.99 per item on the Individual plan or a $39.99 monthly Professional subscription. FBA fulfillment fees and a $1.80 closing fee on media items are extra.
Should I choose the Individual or Professional plan?
The Individual plan costs $0.99 per item sold, so the $39.99 Professional plan is cheaper once you sell about 41 or more items a month. Professional also unlocks bulk listing tools, advertising and eligibility for the Buy Box, which matters for most serious sellers.
Is the referral fee charged on shipping?
Yes. Amazon calculates the referral fee on the total sales price, which includes the item price plus any shipping or gift-wrap charges the buyer pays. It is not charged on the sales tax Amazon collects.
What is the $1.80 closing fee?
Amazon adds a $1.80 closing fee to every item sold in media categories: books, DVDs, music, software and video. It is charged on top of the 15% referral fee, which is why low-priced used books are hard to sell profitably.
How do I find my FBA fulfillment fee?
FBA fees depend on the product's size tier and shipping weight, so the easiest way is to search for your product in Amazon's Revenue Calculator or check the fee preview in Seller Central, then enter the per-unit fee here. Remember monthly storage fees are separate.
Which categories have tiered referral fees?
Clothing and accessories pay 5% at $15 or less, 10% from $15 to $20 and 17% above $20. Beauty, health and baby products pay 8% at $10 or less and 15% above. Electronics accessories and jewelry charge a lower rate on the portion of the price above $100 and $250.
Rates and figures last checked September 2026.
This calculator gives estimates for planning. Check current rates and product labels before you buy, list or file.