Understanding Amazon FBA Fees for Sellers
Table of Contents
- Amazon FBM and FBA Selling Fees 101
- Individual Sellers:
- Professional Sellers:
- FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) Sellers:
- FBM (Fulfillment by Merchant) Sellers:
- Categories with Fixed Referral Fees
- FBA Fulfillment Fees (Non-Apparel)
- FBA Fulfillment Fees (Apparel)
- FBA Storage Fees
- Administrative Refund Fees
- High-Volume Listing Fee
- Rental Book Service Fees
Understanding Amazon Fees for Sellers, FBA Fees, Referral Fees, and More
Amazon FBM and FBA Selling Fees 101
Need the 101 on Amazon FBA fees? Or maybe you’re an FBM seller shipping your own orders? Whatever the case, we’ve organized the numbers for you so you can have full transparency about the money you’ll be making.
We’ll cover the following:
- Individual Sellers vs. Professional Sellers
- Amazon FBA fees vs. FBM fees
- Referral (commission) fees
- Miscellaneous Fees
- Our Profitability Calculator
Read on to enlighten yourself.
Individual vs. Professional Selling Plans
When you first sign up as an Amazon seller, you’ll have to choose between Individual and Professional selling plans. Both come with their pros and cons.
In general, Individual is geared toward new sellers or ‘one-off’ sellers, while Professional is for those who want to establish a business.
Individual Sellers:
- Do not pay a monthly fee
- Pay a flat per-item fee of $0.99 in addition to referral (commission) fees
- Are limited to 40 units sold per month
- Do not have access to several features such as sponsored ads, additional product categories, and other tools/options
- This is ideal if you are new to ecommerce and/or would like to gain familiarity with Amazon Seller Central (Amazon’s selling platform)
Professional Sellers:
- Pay a monthly membership fee of $39.99
- May sell an unlimited number of units per month (great for selling wholesale on Amazon)
- May apply to additional product categories
- Have access to tools like in-platform advertising, bulk uploads, promotions, and more
- This is ideal if you are familiar with Amazon or ecommerce and plan to establish/grow an Amazon business
FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) vs. FBM (Fulfillment by Merchant) Models
FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) Sellers:
FBA sellers have Amazon handle their shipping and the majority of their customer service. As an FBA seller, you send your inventory to an Amazon warehouse or fulfillment center. Amazon stores, picks, packs, and ships your products directly to customers when they make a purchase. Amazon also handles the majority of customer service issues, especially those concerned with shipping and delivery.
Under the FBA model, you are responsible for:
- Referral (commission) fees – typically a percentage of the item’s total sales
- FBA fulfillment fees – typically based on size and weight; this is the fee for having Amazon handle shipping and logistics
- Monthly storage fees – typically based on volume (cubic feet) and length of time in storage at an Amazon fulfillment center
FBM (Fulfillment by Merchant) Sellers:
FBM sellers fulfill their orders themselves. That is, you as an FBM seller are responsible for storing your own inventory and packing/shipping items when customers place an order.
Under the FBM model, you are responsible for:
- Referral (commission) fees – typically a percentage of the item’s total sales
- Shipping costs – Amazon credits you shipping costs based on a set amount (as an Individual Seller) or an amount you set (as a Professional Seller)
Referral (Commission) Fees – All Sellers
All sales entail a commission Amazon fee, regardless of whether you’re a professional, individual, FBA, or FBM seller.
Commission fees are based on the TOTAL SALES price, which includes shipping charges if any. For example, if you are an FBM seller and charge $5 for shipping, that $5 will be factored into the commission percentage Amazon takes. Make sure to keep this seller fee in mind when determining your sales prices.
Total sales also mean that, if you sell your item at a discount due to a coupon code, promotion, or other discount, your referral percentage will be based on that discounted price.
Categories with Fixed Referral Fees
| Category | Referral fee percentage | Referral fee minimum |
| 3D Printed Products | 12% | $0.30 |
| Amazon Device Accessories | 45% | $0.30 |
| Automotive & Powersports | 12%, except 10% for tires and wheel products | $0.30 |
| Baby Products (excluding Baby Apparel) | · 8% for products with a total sales price of $10.00 or less, and · 15% for products with a total sales price greater than $10.00 | $0.30 |
| Beauty | · 8% for products with a total sales price of $10.00 or less, and · 15% for items with a total sales price greater than $10.00 | $0.30 |
| Books | 15% + $1.80 closing fee | — |
| Camera & Photo ¹ | 8% | $0.30 |
| Cell Phone Devices * | 8% | $0.30 |
| Clothing & Accessories (excluding Shoes, Handbags, & Sunglasses) | 17% | $0.30 |
| Collectibles – Books | 15% | — |
| Collectibles – Coins | · 15% for the portion of the total sales price up to $250 (with a minimum referral fee of $1.00) · 10% for any portion of the total sales price greater than $250 up to $1,000 · 6% for any portion of the total sales price greater than $1,000 | $0.30 |
| Collectibles – Entertainment or Sports | · 15% for the portion of the total sales price up to $100 · 10% for any portion of the total sales price greater than $100 up to $1,000 · 6% for any portion of the total sales price greater than $1,000 | — |
| Consumer Electronics | 8% | $0.30 |
| Electronics Accessories | · 15% for the portion of the total sales price up to $100.00, and · 8% for any portion of the total sales price greater than $100.00 | $0.30 |
| Fine Art | · 20% for the portion of Sales Proceeds up to $100 (with a minimum Referral Fee of $1.00); · 15% for any portion of Sales Proceeds greater than $100 up to $1,000; · 10% for any portion of Sales Proceeds greater than $1,000 up to $5,000; and · 5% for any portion of Sales Proceeds greater than $5,000 | — |
| Furniture & Décor | · 15% for the portion of the total sales price up to $200.00, and · 10% for any portion of the total sales price greater than $200.00 Note: Mattresses will be charged 15% regardless of price point. | $0.30 |
| Gift Cards | 20% | — |
| Grocery & Gourmet Food | · 8% for products with a total sales price of $15.00 or less, and · 15% for products with a total sales price greater than $15.00 | — |
| Health & Personal Care (including Personal Care Appliances) | · 8% for products with a total sales price of $10.00 or less, and · 15% for items with a total sales price greater than $10.00 | $0.30 |
| Home & Garden (including Pet Supplies) | 15% | $0.30 |
| Industrial & Scientific (including Food Service and Janitorial & Sanitation) | 12% | $0.30 |
| Jewelry | · 20% for the portion of the total sales price up to $250.00, and · 5% for any portion of the total sales price greater than $250.00 | $0.30 |
| Kitchen | 15% | $0.30 |
| Luggage & Travel Accessories | 15% | $0.30 |
| Major Appliances | · 15% for the portion of the total sales price up to $300.00, and · 8% for any portion of the total sales price greater than $300.00 | $0.30 |
| Music | 15% + $1.80 closing fee | — |
| Musical Instruments | 15% | $0.30 |
| Office Products | 15% | $0.30 |
| Outdoors | 15% | $0.30 |
| Personal Computers | 6% | $0.30 |
| Shoes, Handbags, & Sunglasses | · 18% for products with a total sales price of $75.00 or less · 15% for products with a total sales price above $75.00 | $0.30 |
| Software & Computer/Video Games | 15% + $1.80 closing fee | — |
| Sports (excluding Sports Collectibles) | 15% | $0.30 |
| Tools & Home Improvement | 15%, except 12% for base equipment power tools | $0.30 |
| Toys & Games ² | 15% | $0.30 |
| Unlocked Cell Phones | 8% | $0.30 |
| Video & DVD | 15% + $1.80 closing fee | — |
| Video Game Consoles | 8% + $1.80 closing fee | $0.30 |
| Warranties, Protection Plans, and Service Contracts | 51% | — |
| Watches | · 16% for the portion of the total sales price up to $1,500.00 · 3% for any portion of the total sales price greater than $1,500.00 | $0.30 |
| Everything else ³ | 15% | $0.30 |
² Return value will be $0 for users who select Fulfillment by seller.
³ The Everything Else category is available to sellers for products that do not clearly fit within existing categories. Do not list items in the Everything Else category that appropriately fall within another category.
* Approval is required to sell in these categories, to protect the customer experience and allow them to shop with confidence on Amazon.
Fees that Amazon FBA Sellers Pay
FBA Fulfillment Fees (Non-Apparel)
| Size tier | Max dimension | Shipping weight ¹ | Packaging | Fulfillment fee per unit ² |
| FBA Small and Light | 16″ x 9″ x 4″ | 4 oz. or less | 0.7 oz. | $1.97 |
| 4+ oz. to < 10 oz. | 0.7 oz. | $2.39 | ||
| Small standard | 15″ x 12″ x 0.75″ | 10 oz. or less | 4 oz. | $2.50 |
| 10+ to 16 oz. | 4 oz. | $2.63 | ||
| Large standard | 18” x 14” x 8” | 10 oz. or less | 4 oz. | $3.31 |
| 10+ to 16 oz. | 4 oz. | $3.48 | ||
| 1 to 2 lb | 4 oz. | $4.90 | ||
| 2 to 3 lb | 4 oz. | $5.42 | ||
| 3 to 21 lb | 4 oz. | $5.42 + $0.38/lb above first 3 lb | ||
| Small oversize | 60″ x 30″ | 71 lb or less | 1 lb | $8.26 + $0.38/lb above first 2 lb |
| Medium oversize | 108” (longest side) | 151 lb or less | 1 lb | $11.37 + $0.39/lb above first 2 lb |
| Large oversize | 108” (longest side) | 151 lb or less | 1 lb | $75.78 + $0.79/lb above first 90 lb |
| Special oversize | >108” (longest side) | N/A | 1 lb | $137.32 + $0.91/lb above first 90 lb |
² Add $0.11 per unit for items with lithium batteries
FBA Fulfillment Fees (Apparel)
| Size tier | Max dimension | Shipping weight ¹ | Packaging | Fulfillment fee per unit ² |
| Small standard | 15″ x 12″ x 0.75″ | 10 oz or less | 4 oz. | $2.92 |
| 10+ to 16 oz. | 4 oz. | $3.11 | ||
| Large standard | 18” x 14” x 8” | 10 oz or less | 4 oz. | $3.70 |
| 10+ to 16 oz. | 4 oz. | $3.81 | ||
| 1 to 2 lb | 4 oz. | $5.35 | ||
| 2 to 3 lb | 4 oz. | $5.95 | ||
| 3 to 20 lb | 4 oz. | $5.95 + $0.38/lb above first 3 lb | ||
| Small oversize | 60″ x 30″ | 71 lb or less | 1 lb | $8.26 + $0.38/lb above first 2 lb |
| Medium oversize | 108” (longest side) | 151 lb or less | 1 lb | $11.37 + $0.39/lb above first 2 lb |
| Large oversize | 108” (longest side) | 151 lb or less | 1 lb | $75.78 + $0.79/lb above first 90 lb |
| Special oversize | >108” (longest side) | N/A | 1 lb | $137.32 + $0.91/lb above first 90 lb |
² Add $0.11 per unit for items with lithium batteries
FBA Storage Fees
The inventory storage fee is based on the daily average volume for the space your inventory occupies in Amazon fulfillment centers. The volume measurement is based on unit size when properly packaged and ready to ship.
| Month | Standard size | Oversize |
| January – September | $0.75 per cubic foot | $0.48 per cubic foot |
| September – January | $2.40 per cubic foot | $1.20 per cubic foot |
Fees that Amazon FBM Sellers Pay
FBM sellers (both Individual and Professional) receive fixed credits for shipping media (books, music, videos, DVDs).
| Shipping method | Books | Music | Videos | DVDs |
| Domestic Standard * | $3.99 | $3.99 | $3.99 | $3.99 |
| Domestic Expedited ** | $6.99 | $6.19 | $6.19 | $6.19 |
| Domestic Two Day *** | $14.95 | $14.95 | $14.95 | $14.95 |
| International Standard | up to 1 lb. – $16.95 over 1 lb. – $24.95 | $14.95 | $14.95 | $14.95 |
| International Expedited | $46.50 | $46.50 | $46.50 | $46.50 |
** Two-Day Shipping is available to eligible sellers only. Learn more about Premium Shipping options.
*** Refers to the weight of the item, excluding the seller’s packaging.
For all other product categories, FBM sellers either set their own shipping fees (if Professional) or adhere to the following (if Individual):
| Shipping Method | Video Games | Software & Computer Games | All other categories |
| Domestic Standard * | $3.99 | $3.99 | $4.49 + $0.50/lb*** |
| Domestic Expedited * | $6.99 | $6.99 | $6.49 + $0.99/lb*** |
| Domestic 2-Day ** | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| International Standard | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| International Expedited | Not available | Not available | Not available |
** Two-Day Shipping is available to eligible sellers only. Learn more about Premium Shipping options.
*** Refers to the weight of the item, excluding the seller’s packaging.
Miscellaneous Service Fees
Administrative Refund Fees
Amazon will refund you your referral fee MINUS 20% of the referral fee OR $5.00 (whichever is less), should you refund a customer for an item for which you have already been paid.
High-Volume Listing Fee
This applies to sellers with several thousands of SKUs. Should you have multiple active (non-media) listings with no selling activity for over 12 months, Amazon charges you $0.005 per listing for the cost of maintaining a catalog entry.
This only applies after the first 100,000 listings/ASINs.
Rental Book Service Fees
Amazon will charge you $5 per rental textbook listing.
Helium 10’s Profitability Calculator
Is your head spinning yet? Want an easy way to simplify calculating your profits after all of these Amazon fees?
Check out our Profitability Calculator, a great tool for Amazon sellers which is part of our FREE Helium 10 Chrome Extension.
With this calculator, you can navigate to any listing on Amazon and get an idea of how much profit you could make selling a similar item. The Profitability Calculator takes into account things like Amazon FBA fees, current Amazon referral fees, current monthly storage fees, item weight, landed cost, and more.
The example screenshot below shows ROI and profits based on a $7.84 manufacturer cost, $200 freight cost per cubic meter, and estimated storage/sell-through rate.
The calculator’s referral fees are determined automatically by product category. Other fields are also populated automatically based on available Amazon listing data, but you can customize these entries as desired.
Download the Profitability Calculator for free and try it yourself!
Helium 10’s Profits
See the bigger picture with Helium 10’s Profits tool.
Whereas the Profitability Calculator is geared towards calculating Amazon fees on an item-by-item basis, Helium 10’s Profits lets you get an overview of your sales data, including gross sales, net profits, ROI, and more based on your Amazon fees, manufacturing costs, and other details you set.
The tool also displays historical data over different time periods, from one day up to one year, or any time range you determine.
Don’t get tunnel vision just focusing on your total sales. Know how much you’re really making by taking into account Amazon fees, landed cost, and other fees.
Go Forth and Conquer
That’s a lot of numbers. We know. That’s why we’re proponents of studying your market very carefully and conducting product research long before you even start selling.
Make sure that whatever you’re going to jump into is profitable!
Choosing between FBA or FBM is often a question of convenience vs. costs. FBA brings the convenience but at a higher cost; FBM puts more of the legwork on you but with potentially fewer fulfillment fees (if fulfilling yourself or at your own 3PL is less expensive).
There’s also the FBA Onsite program that negotiates between the two, but at this time it’s invite-only, like many of Amazon’s ‘secret’ programs.
Either way, get out there and keep #CrushingIt!
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