How TikTok Shop fees work in 2026
TikTok Shop's main seller charge is the referral fee, a percentage of each completed order. There are no listing fees and no monthly subscription for US sellers.
- Most categories: 6% in TikTok's published US category table.
- Select jewelry and pre-owned categories: 5%. Qualifying pre-owned and collectible sales pay 3% on the portion above $10,000.
- New sellers: 3% for 30 days if the first sale happens within 60 days of finishing onboarding.
A caution on the headline rate: several seller guides report that TikTok raised the rate for most non-food categories to 8% on August 4, 2026, with some beauty and electronics sub-categories higher still, while TikTok's public table continues to show 6%. Your Seller Center and settlement statements are the final word. The calculator includes both rates and a custom option.
The referral fee is charged on what the customer pays, including buyer-paid shipping and platform-funded discounts, minus sales tax. If a creator drove the sale, you also pay the affiliate commission you set, calculated on the product price. For many shops, that commission is a bigger cost than the referral fee.
The formula
affiliate commission = product price × commission rate
payout = product price + shipping buyer pays − referral fee − affiliate commission
profit = payout − product cost − shipping label cost
Example: a $25 product sold through a creator
A creator's video sells your $25 phone stand with free shipping. It costs you $6 to make, the label costs $5, and your affiliate plan pays creators 10%. The category rate is 6%.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Referral fee (6% of $25) | $1.50 |
| Affiliate commission (10% of $25) | $2.50 |
| Total fees and commission | $4.00 |
| Payout ($25 − $4.00) | $21.00 |
| Minus product cost ($6) and label ($5) | $10.00 profit |
At the reported 8% rate, the referral fee becomes $2.00 and profit drops to $9.50. Without a creator involved, the same sale at 6% would make $12.50.
Tips for TikTok Shop sellers
- Set affiliate rates from your margin, not your competitors. Use the break-even price to see how much commission a product can carry before it stops paying.
- Use the new-seller window. Thirty days at 3% is worth planning a launch around, since the clock starts with your first sale.
- Plan for refunds. TikTok keeps 20% of the referral fee (up to $5 per item) as a refund administration fee, and you usually lose the shipping label too.
- Read your settlement statements. Rates vary by category and change often. Compare the fees you were actually charged with this calculator once a month.
- Count samples and ads. Free samples sent to creators and paid promotion aren't in the referral fee, but they're real costs per order.
Frequently asked questions
What is the TikTok Shop referral fee in 2026?
TikTok Shop's published US category table lists a 6% referral fee for most categories, with 5% for certain jewelry and pre-owned categories. Several seller guides report an increase to 8% for most non-food categories from August 4, 2026, so check the rate shown in your Seller Center and use the custom option if it differs.
What is the TikTok Shop fee charged on?
The referral fee is calculated on what the customer pays, including buyer-paid shipping and any platform-funded discount, minus sales tax. Seller-funded discounts lower the amount the fee is charged on.
Does TikTok Shop have a new seller discount?
Yes. New US sellers who make their first sale within 60 days of finishing onboarding get a 3% referral fee for 30 days. After that, the normal category rate applies.
How do affiliate commissions work on TikTok Shop?
If a creator's video or live stream drives the sale, you pay the commission rate you set in your affiliate plan, often 10% to 20%, on top of the referral fee. It's charged on the product price, not shipping or tax. Sales without an affiliate pay no commission.
What happens to fees when an order is refunded?
TikTok returns the referral fee on an eligible refund but keeps a refund administration fee of 20% of the referral fee, capped at $5 per item.
Is there a fixed per-order fee on TikTok Shop US?
TikTok's published US referral fee table does not list one, though some third-party guides mention $0.30 per order. If your settlement statements show a fixed charge, add it to your product cost field to include it.
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.