Understanding Amazon Seller Fees: A Comprehensive Guide

It may seem expensive when you weigh the costs of selling on Amazon. However, with 310 million active Amazon shoppers and nearly 60% of sales on the forum generated by small-to-midsized businesses (SMBs), the benefits trump the costs. Let’s break down the fees you can expect to pay and strategies to mitigate them.

TL;DR Summary of #5 Main Amazon Costs

Subscription Fee: 

Professional sellers moving more than 40 items per month incur a $39.99 fee, while individual sellers below this threshold avoid a monthly subscription charge.

Per-Item Charges: 

Professionals skip per-item fees, while individual sellers face a $0.99 charge for each item sold.

Shipping Costs: 

Self-fulfilled orders feature Amazon’s shipping rates for media products sold by professionals and all items from individuals, based on product category and buyer’s chosen shipping service. Amazon-fulfilled orders entail charges for fulfillment, storage, optional services, and selling fees.

Shipping Costs Example:

Shipping costs for a standard book (1 pound) can range from $2.50 to $5.00 within the U.S. if sent by the seller. If using Amazon’s FBA, fees cover fulfillment, storage, and optional services, varying by item and shipping distance.

Referral Fees: 

Sellers pay a referral fee per item sold, with specific categories having a minimum referral fee per item. Sellers cover the higher fee between the referral and per-item minimum fees.

Referral Fees Example:

Referral fees on Amazon are charges that sellers pay per item sold. For example, a seller might pay a referral fee of 15% on the sale price of a product in a specific category like electronics.

Variable Closing Fees: 

Both individual and professional sellers encounter a variable closing fee for each sold media item.

Closing Fee Example

Closing fees on Amazon apply to media items sold, such as books or DVDs. For instance, a seller might pay a closing fee of $1.80 for each book sold through the platform.

Understanding Amazon Seller Fees and Account Types

Embarking on your Amazon seller journey means confronting fees from the get-go, choosing between two distinct account types: Professional or Individual. Each option presents its array of benefits and costs.

Sale-related fees are a crucial part of Amazon’s fee structure. These fees apply every time you sell a product on Amazon and vary depending on the item’s category, selling price, and whether the order is returned.

The Professional seller account demands a monthly fee of $39.99, unlocking a suite of advantages:

• No per-item charges on sold products.
• Inventory and order management tools through feeds, spreadsheets, and reports.
• Access to Amazon Marketplace Web Service for API functionalities.
• Control over setting shipping rates for Books, Music, Videos & DVDs (BMVD).
• Utilization of special listing features, including promotions and gift services.
• Eligibility for securing the Buy Box and handling US sales and taxes.
• Bulk product uploads and complimentary gift-wrapping options.
• However, for sellers moving at most 40 items per month, the (free) Individual seller plan might prove more economical. This option charges $0.99 per item sold and includes:

• No monthly subscription fee, with a per-item charge of $0.99.
• Amazon-set shipping rates for all products.
• Absence of gift-wrapping options.
• Manual listing uploads instead of bulk uploads.
• Exclusion from selling in specific categories such as Jewelry, Shoes, Handbags, Art, Food, Luggage, and more.

Individual seller plans on Amazon:

Features	Professional Plan	Individual Plan
Monthly Fee	$39.99	None
Per-Item Fee	None	$0.99/item sold
Inventory Management	Yes	Basic
Order Management	Yes	Basic
API Access	Yes	Limited
Shipping Rates Control	Yes (for BMVD)	No
Special Listing Features	Yes	Limited
Buy Box Eligibility	Yes	No
US Sales and Tax Management	Yes	Limited
Bulk Product Uploads	Yes	No
Free Gift Wrap	Yes	No
Category Restrictions	Fewer restrictions	More restrictions

This table provides an overview of the key differences between the two seller plans regarding fees and features offered by Amazon.

Pro Tip: Navigating Amazon Seller Fees

Understanding Amazon seller fees can significantly impact your bottom line. Consider these tips to optimize your approach:

Evaluate Sales Volume: 

Assess your sales volume to determine if the Professional or Individual account suits your needs. For low-volume sellers, the Individual plan’s per-item fee might be more cost-effective.

Strategic Listing: 

Select the correct account based on your anticipated sales volume and product categories. High-volume sellers benefit from the Professional plan’s bulk uploads and additional features.

Cost vs. Services: 

Balance the subscription cost against the services provided. For sellers hovering around the 40-item threshold, compare the subscription fee to the per-item charges under the Individual plan.

Category Exclusions: 

Consider category limitations under the Individual plan. If you plan to sell items restricted in this account type, the Professional plan might be more suitable.

Long-Term Strategy:

 Project your growth and evaluate whether the benefits of the Professional plan align with your long-term goals.

Careful consideration of these factors can lead to an informed decision, optimizing your profitability amidst Amazon’s seller fee structures.

Unveiling Sale-Related Charges

Here’s a fresh take on sale-related fees on Amazon:

Sale-Related Fees	Details
Referral Fees	– Commission paid to Amazon per sale, typically between 8% and 15%. Varies by item category.
	– Minimum referral fees apply in most categories, charging $0.30 if the percentage fee is lower. Exceptions include select categories.
	– Some categories have tiered referral fees based on sales volume. For instance, Sports Collectibles have varied fees at different sale amounts.
Variable Closing Fees	– Imposed on Media category sales (BMVD, software, video games), adding an extra $1.80 per sale.
Refund Administration Fee	– Incurred for refunded items. Refunds the referral fee but charges an admin fee, either $5.00 or 20% of the applicable referral fee, whichever is lower.

This breakdown explores the different costs associated with items sold on Amazon, shedding light on nuances and variations within each fee category.

Referral Fees

Every seller on Amazon, whether on an Individual or Professional account, has to pay a referral fee for each item sold on the marketplace. This fee is a commission sellers pay Amazon to sell to its customers. 

The referral fee percentage usually ranges between 8% and 15% but can go as high as 45% for specific categories. Amazon also sets a Minimum Referral Fee for some types, meaning sellers pay the higher fees based on the product’s selling price.

Diverse Category Charges

• Extreme Rates: Categories like Extended Warranties or Protection Plans wield exceptionally high referral fees (e.g., up to 96%).
• Exemptions: Specific categories like Books, Collectible Books, and Fine Art waive the standard minimum referral fees of $0.30.

Tiered Fee Models

• Variable Percentages: Some categories operate on a tiered system, where referral fees alter based on sales volume. For instance, Sports Collectibles may levy different costs for various sale amounts.

Variable Closing Fees

Exclusive to Media category sales (BMVD, software, video games), sellers encounter an additional $1.80 variable closing fee per item sold.

Refund Administration Fee

Upon item returns, sellers receive refunds for the referral fees paid. Yet, a refund administration fee is applicable, capped at either $5.00 or 20% of the corresponding referral fee, whichever is lower.

Example of Sales Fees:

Suppose you sell an electronic gadget in the Electronics category for $200.

Referral Fee: 

Assuming a 10% referral fee for electronics, you’d pay $20 (10% of $200) as a referral fee to Amazon for facilitating the sale.

Variable Closing Fee:

 If the item falls under the Media category due to its software components, you will incur an additional $1.80 as a variable closing fee.

This example demonstrates how sales fees, such as referral fees and variable closing fees, are calculated based on the category and sale price of the item on Amazon.

Pro Tip: Navigating Sales Fees on Amazon

Category Understanding: 

Familiarize yourself with the fee structures per category. Categories vary widely in referral fee percentages and may have minimum referral fees or tiered structures based on sales volume.

Pricing Strategy: 

Consider the impact of fees on your pricing strategy—factor in referral fees and variable closing fees when setting prices to ensure profitability.

Category Selection: 

Optimize category selection based on fees. Explore categories with reasonable referral fees aligned with your products to maximize profitability.

Sales Volume Analysis: 

Assess categories with tiered fee structures for higher-volume items. Understanding these structures can help lower overall fees for increased sales.

Regular Fee Review:

Review Amazon’s fee guidelines, as they can change. Stay updated to adjust your selling strategies accordingly.

Understanding and strategizing around sales fees is essential for maximizing profits and maintaining competitiveness within the Amazon marketplace.

Unraveling FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) Fees: A Tale of Three Charges

Picture this: you’ve got your products ready to fly off the shelves, but along the way, you encounter three fees depending on where your orders are in the fulfillment process.

 Order Fulfillment Fees

These fees ride on the back of your product’s size and weight. Imagine it as a roller coaster ride: small and light items are less expensive, costing as little as $3.22 if they’re 10 ounces or more delicate. However, brace yourself for the towering fees if your item is heavy. Oversize items, clocking in at 151 pounds or less, incur a $89.98 flat fee PLUS an additional $0.83 per pound above 90 pounds.

Monthly Storage Fees

Have you ever wondered how Amazon’s vast warehouses handle your products? For this privilege, Amazon charges you monthly storage fees. 

Think of it like renting space in a virtual storage unit. Here’s the deal: from January to September, it’s a reasonable $0.69 per cubic foot, but from October to December, it skyrockets to $2.40. Yet, if your items are larger than life, the fees drop to $0.48 and $1.20 per cubic foot, respectively.

Long-Term Storage Fees

If your products linger in Amazon’s warehouses beyond the six-month mark (February 15 and August 15), prepare for long-term storage fees. These fees strike twice yearly for items stored longer than 6 and 12 months, adding extra cost if your goods don’t quickly get into customers’ carts.

Understanding these fees is like navigating through different chapters of a novel, each revealing its twists and turns in the FBA journey.

FBA Charges Table

FBA Charges	Details
Order Fulfillment Fees	– Based on product size and weight. Ranges from $3.22 for lightweight items to $89.98+ for oversize items.
Monthly Storage Fees	– Varies by time of year and item size: $0.69 to $2.40 per cubic foot (Jan to Sep), $0.48 to $1.20 (Oct to Dec).
Long-Term Storage Fees	– Charged twice a year (Feb 15, Aug 15) for items stored longer than 6 and 12 months; additional charges apply.

This table provides a quick overview of Amazon sellers’ different FBA charges, ranging from order fulfillment to storage and long-term storage fees.

FBA Fees Example:

Imagine you’re selling various small electronics on Amazon. This product weighs 8 ounces and is compact, fitting snugly in a small package.

Order Fulfillment Fee: 

Given its lightweight nature, the order fulfillment fee might hover around $3.22, considering it falls within the lighter weight category.

Monthly Storage Fee:

 As compact, let’s assume the item occupies roughly 0.2 cubic feet of space. For most of the year, you should pay around $0.69 per cubic foot, totaling approximately $0.14 monthly. During the holiday season (October to December), this fee might increase to $2.40 per cubic foot, amounting to around $0.48 monthly.

Long-Term Storage Fee:

 If this item remains unsold beyond six months, long-term storage fees could kick in, adding extra costs to keep it in Amazon’s warehouse.

This scenario showcases how FBA fees can vary based on the characteristics of your product, emphasizing the impact of size, weight, and storage duration on associated costs.

Pro Tip: Mastering FBA Charges

Navigating FBA fees on Amazon requires strategic handling. Here’s how to stay ahead:

Inventory Optimization: 

Regularly assess your inventory size and weight. Streamline by avoiding unnecessary storage of oversized items to reduce fulfillment fees.

Seasonal Planning: 

Factor in seasonal fluctuations when storing products. Consider adjusting inventory levels to minimize high-cost storage fees during peak periods.

Sales Velocity: 

Keep items moving! Prevent long-term storage fees by strategizing promotions or pricing adjustments for slower-moving inventory.

Forecasting Precision: 

Use sales data to forecast accurately. Align inventory levels with demand to reduce excess stock, lowering storage fees.

Product Size Consideration 

Optimize product sizes to minimize fulfillment costs. Smaller, lighter items often incur lower fees, improving profitability.

By mastering these strategies, sellers can optimize inventory, mitigate storage costs, and navigate FBA charges effectively for improved profitability on the Amazon platform.

Seller Strategy: Predict FBA Charges with Amazon’s FBA Fee Calculator for Your Products.

Dissecting FBM Charges: The Dynamics of Seller-Managed Shipping

FBM, or Fulfilled by Merchant, introduces distinct fees, contrasting the structure imposed on FBA sellers. This model places the responsibility of shipping squarely on the seller’s shoulders, resulting in a different fee framework.

Individual Selling Plan

Under the Individual selling plan, FBM sellers must adhere to Amazon’s predetermined shipping rates. Despite the potential mismatch between these rates and the actual shipping costs, sellers must strategically price their items to mitigate the impact of Amazon’s shipping rates.

Professional Selling Plan

Conversely, FBM sellers operating under the Professional selling plan gain greater autonomy by setting their shipping rates—except for BMVD sales. Here, Amazon offers a shipping credit aligned with the respective shipping rates, varying based on domestic standards or international expedited methods.

Understanding these FBM fees resembles navigating a complex arrangement—an intricate interplay demanding strategic maneuvering to align with Amazon’s shipping regulations and seller-driven pricing strategies.

FBM Charges Table

FBM Charges	Individual Selling Plan	Professional Selling Plan
Shipping Rates	They were obliged to follow Amazon’s shipping rates, even if they were lower than costs.	Flexibility to set shipping rates, except for BMVD sales.
Pricing Strategy:	Crucial pricing strategy to mitigate the potential impact of Amazon’s rates.	Greater control over pricing and shipping rates, except for select categories.
BMVD Sales	Required to adhere to Amazon’s shipping credit for BMVD sales.	Similar shipping credit alignment for BMVD sales, limiting rate selection.

This table highlights the differences in FBM fees between the Individual and Professional selling plans, focusing on shipping rates, pricing strategies, and exceptions for specific categories like BMVD sales.

FBM Fees Example:

Imagine you’re an FBM seller under the Individual selling plan, shipping a set of delicate glassware.

• Shipping Rates:

 As an Individual seller, you must adhere to Amazon’s predefined shipping rates, which may only sometimes align perfectly with actual shipping costs. Let’s say Amazon’s rate credits $8 for shipping, but your actual cost totals $10 due to fragile packaging requirements.

• Pricing Strategy: 

Strategic pricing becomes crucial to offset the gap between Amazon’s shipping rate credit and your actual shipping cost. Adjust the product’s price to absorb the difference and maintain profitability.

This scenario shows Individual FBM sellers’ challenge with fixed shipping rates, requiring strategic pricing strategies to counterbalance discrepancies between credited rates and actual shipping costs.

Let’s explore the lesser-known fees of selling on Amazon beyond the more commonly discussed ones.

Unveiling Miscellaneous Fees

High-Volume Listing Fee

Sellers managing over 100,000 listed products face a monthly flat fee of $0.005 per eligible item, adding to their FBA storage fees.

Hazardous Items and Rentals

Hazardous items, excluding clothes, incur an extra FBA fee ranging from $0.06 to $0.16 per standard unit. For dangerous item clothes, the fee slightly rises to $0.08 to $0.29 based on size.

Textbook rentals trigger a $5.00 charge per rental, implemented at the time of sale.

Packaging Choices

Opting for Amazon’s boxes during shipment incurs costs: $0.15 per unit during peak seasons (November to December) and $0.10 otherwise.

Refurbished Product Charges

Amazon’s “Refurbished” category typically incurs no fees. However, if a product becomes ineligible for refurbishment, fees might apply.

Repackaging Service

When buyers return items in damaged or alternative packaging, Amazon intervenes to repackage them, charging a service fee.

Fulfillment Perks with Costs

FBA sellers enjoy Amazon’s fulfillment perks, but these come at a price ranging from $0.50 to $1.20 per standard unit and $1.00 to $2.20 for oversized units.

Multi-channel fulfillment sellers opt for custom packing slips at $0.07 per box and pay $0.30 per unit for Amazon to apply barcodes at the fulfillment center.

Though seemingly minor, these often-overlooked fees contribute significantly to sellers’ expenses and warrant thorough consideration before entering the Amazon marketplace.

Miscellaneous Fees Table

Miscellaneous Fees	Details
High-Volume Listing Fee	– Monthly flat fee of $0.005 per eligible item for sellers managing over 100,000 listed products, paid alongside FBA storage fees.
Hazardous Items and Rentals	– FBA fees range from $0.06 to $0.16 per unit for hazardous items (excluding clothes). – $0.08 to $0.29 fee for dangerous item clothes, based on size. – $5.00 charge per textbook rental.
Packaging Choices	– $0.15 per unit for Amazon’s boxes during peak seasons (November to December). – $0.10 per unit for the rest of the year.
Refurbished Product Charges	– Potential fees if products become ineligible for refurbishment in Amazon’s “Refurbished” category.
Repackaging Service	– A service fee is charged when Amazon repackages items returned in damaged or alternative packaging.
Fulfillment Perks with Costs	– FBA fees range from $0.50 to $1.20 per standard unit and $1.00 to $2.20 for oversized units. – $0.07 per box for custom packing slips in multi-channel fulfillment.
	– $0.30 per unit for Amazon to apply barcodes at the fulfillment center.

This table overviews the various lesser-known fees that Amazon sellers might encounter, including high-volume listing fees, charges for hazardous items, packaging costs, refurbishment fees, repackaging services, and fulfillment-related expenses.

Miscellaneous Fees Example

Consider a seller dealing with various products on Amazon:

• High-Volume Listing Fee: 

This seller, managing over 150,000 listed items, incurs a monthly flat fee of $0.005 per eligible item, adding to their FBA storage costs.

• Hazardous Items and Rentals: 

They sell hazardous goods and textbooks for rental. For hazardous items, the FBA charges range from $0.06 to $0.16 per unit. Additionally, each textbook rental carries a $5.00 charge upon sale.

• Packaging Choices: 

During the peak season (November to December), the seller opts for Amazon’s boxes, incurring a $0.15 charge per unit. They switched to Amazon’s boxes at $0.10 per unit for the rest of the year to reduce costs.

• Refurbished Product Charges: 

While refurbishing products under Amazon’s “Refurbished” category usually incurs no fees, a few ineligible products result in unexpected fees.

• Repackaging Service: 

Occasionally, buyers return items in damaged packaging. Amazon intervenes, repackages these items, and charges a service fee for this assistance.

• Fulfillment Perks with Costs: 

As an FBA seller, they benefit from Amazon’s fulfillment services, but these come at a price ranging from $0.50 to $1.20 per standard unit and $1.00 to $2.20 for oversized units. Additionally, they pay $0.30 per unit for Amazon to apply barcodes at the fulfillment center.

This scenario showcases how various miscellaneous fees can add up for an Amazon seller, impacting their overall expenses and necessitating careful consideration of each fee’s impact on profitability.

Use Amazon’s Fee Discounts

Amazon offers fee discounts or waivers based on specific criteria. Sellers may be eligible for programs like FBA Small and Light, which provides reduced fulfillment fees for small and lightweight items.

Choosing Your Amazon Account

The choice between Individual and Professional Seller Accounts depends on your business stage and sales volume. Established sellers may find the Professional account’s features advantageous, while newcomers can opt for the Individual account, incurring fees only upon product sales.

How to Sell on Amazon?

Embarking on the Amazon selling journey involves several key steps:

Set up Your Amazon Seller Account: 

Choose between Individual and Professional Selling Plans based on your business needs.

List Your Products:

 Provide comprehensive details, including product titles, descriptions, and images.

Manage Inventory: 

Keep a vigilant eye on stock levels to meet customer demand effectively.

Fulfill Orders: 

Depending on your choice of FBA or FBM, either handle packing and shipping yourself or let Amazon take care of it.

Provide Customer Service: 

Respond to inquiries, manage returns, and handle refunds promptly.

A Brief Guide to the Amazon Selling Landscape: Pros and Cons

• Massive Customer Base Access: Enjoy unparalleled access to a vast customer base, tapping into a global marketplace that can significantly boost your product visibility.
• Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) Option: Opt for the convenience of Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), letting Amazon handle the storage, packing, shipping, and even customer service and returns.
• Potential for High Sales Volumes: Tap into the potential for high sales volumes, leveraging Amazon’s extensive reach to maximize your product’s exposure.

• Intense Competition: Navigate through a highly competitive landscape where numerous sellers vie for customer attention, making it crucial to stand out.
•  Accumulating Fees: Be mindful of accumulating fees, including referral fees, subscription fees, and potentially additional charges based on your selling and shipping methods.
• Limited Branding Control: Experience limited control over your branding, as the Amazon platform prioritizes uniformity, potentially impacting your ability to establish a distinct brand identity.

Understanding the Cost Dynamics

Various factors influence the cost of being a seller on Amazon:

Seller Account Type

Choose Individual and Professional Seller Accounts, each with its fee structure and benefits.

Item Characteristics

Consider the item’s cost, category, and weight, as these factors contribute to the overall cost of selling.

Shipping Solutions

Your chosen shipping solutions and order fulfillment process are crucial in determining your overall expenses.

Amazon FBA: Worth the Investment?

No Fixed Monthly Cost

Amazon FBA operates without a fixed monthly cost, with fees determined by factors like inventory storage and order fulfillment.

Convenience and Value

For many sellers, the convenience Amazon FBA offers, encompassing storage, packing, shipping, and customer service, justifies the associated costs.

The Ease and Complexity of Selling on Amazon

Selling on Amazon can be straightforward with:

 Understanding the Platform

Sellers must have a firm grasp of the platform’s operation and adherence to Amazon’s rules and regulations.

Planning and Research

Sellers need to adopt careful planning, product research, and practical strategies to navigate the complexities of the marketplace.

While challenges exist, sellers equipped with knowledge and strategic planning can harness the vast opportunities the Amazon marketplace presents.

The Bottom Line

Selling on Amazon involves a dynamic interplay of fees, opportunities, and business growth tools. While the platform introduces various costs, understanding the intricacies of fee structures is paramount for gauging the potential profitability of your venture.

Unlocking the Potential

Vast Customer Base Access

Amazon provides unparalleled access to an expansive customer base, offering sellers the potential for increased visibility and sales.

Business Growth Tools

Leverage the suite of tools available on Amazon to facilitate business growth. From analytics to promotional features, these tools can contribute to expanding your online presence.

In essence, navigating the intricacies of Amazon selling requires a strategic approach, meticulous planning, and a keen understanding of the evolving e-commerce landscape.