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Amazon FBA Fees

Amazon Referral Fees by Category (2026)

An Amazon referral fee is the commission Amazon charges on every sale β€” a percentage of the total price the buyer pays. For most categories it is 15%, but it ranges from about 8% to 17%, and there is always a $0.30 minimum per item. It applies whether you fulfil orders yourself or through FBA. Rates here are for Amazon US, in US dollars.

By Sajid Hussain, Editor Β· Updated

How the referral fee is calculated

The referral fee is charged on the total sale price β€” the item price plus any shipping you charge the buyer, before tax. Amazon deducts it automatically from each order; you never invoice it. Because it is a straight percentage, it grows with your price, which makes it the dominant fee on higher-priced products.

For example, a $25 item in a 15% category pays a $3.75 referral fee; the same-category item at $200 pays $30. Same rate, far bigger bite in absolute terms β€” which is why the fee matters most on your premium listings.

If the percentage works out to less than $0.30, Amazon charges the $0.30 minimum instead β€” so on very cheap items the effective rate is higher than the headline percent.

Free calculatorAmazon referral fee calculatorPick a category and price to see the exact fee, including the tiered and minimum rules.

Referral fee rates by category

Here are representative Amazon US rates. Most categories sit at 15%; the notable exceptions are below.

CategoryReferral fee
Home & Kitchen15%
Beauty, Health & Personal Care8% on items ≀ $10, 15% above
Clothing & Accessories17%
Electronics8%
Most other categories15%
Amazon US referral fee rates (representative, 2026)

Note

Amazon maintains dozens of category rules and revises them periodically. Confirm your exact category rate on the calculator before pricing.

Tiered rates and the minimum fee

Some categories use a tiered rate: Beauty and Health, for example, charge just 8% on the portion of the price at or below $10 and 15% above it. This rewards low-priced consumables. Combined with the $0.30 floor, the effective rate on a sub-$5 item can differ noticeably from the sticker percentage β€” worth modelling if you sell cheap, high-volume goods.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

01What is an Amazon referral fee?

An Amazon referral fee is the commission Amazon charges on each sale β€” a percentage of the total price the buyer pays (item plus shipping, before tax). Most categories are 15%, with a $0.30 minimum per item, and it applies to both FBA and self-fulfilled orders.

02How much is the Amazon referral fee?

Usually 15%, but it ranges from about 8% to 17% depending on category. Clothing is 17%, Electronics is 8%, and categories like Beauty and Health charge 8% on items $10 or under and 15% above. Every referral fee has a $0.30 minimum.

03Is the referral fee charged on shipping too?

Yes. The referral fee is calculated on the total price the buyer pays, which includes any shipping you charge. Listings with free shipping simply build that cost into the item price.

04What is the minimum Amazon referral fee?

$0.30 per item. If the category percentage works out to less than $0.30, Amazon charges the $0.30 minimum, so the effective rate on very cheap items is higher than the headline percent.

05Does the referral fee change by price?

In tiered categories, yes. Beauty and Health charge 8% on the part of the price at or below $10 and 15% above. Most categories use a single flat percentage regardless of price.

06Is the referral fee the same as the FBA fee?

No. The referral fee is a percentage commission Amazon takes on every sale, however you fulfil it. The FBA fulfillment fee is a separate flat per-unit charge for pick, pack and ship that only FBA orders pay β€” so an FBA sale pays both.

07Do I get the referral fee back if I refund an order?

Mostly. When you refund a customer, Amazon returns the referral fee it charged minus a refund administration fee β€” the lesser of $5.00 or 20% of the referral fee. So a refunded sale still costs you a small amount.