Understanding Amazon’s fee structure is crucial for maximizing your profits. This comprehensive guide covers all Amazon seller fees, including individual vs. professional plans, FBA costs, and hidden charges that impact your bottom line.
1. Amazon Seller Account Types & Subscription Fees
A. Individual Seller Plan
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Monthly fee: $0
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Per-item fee: $0.99 for each item sold
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Best for: Sellers listing <40 items/month
B. Professional Seller Plan
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Monthly fee: $39.99 (regardless of sales volume)
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Per-item fee: $0
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Best for: Businesses selling >40 items/month
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Additional benefits: Bulk listing tools, eligibility for top placements
2. Referral Fees (Commission)
Amazon charges a percentage of each sale, varying by category:
| Category | Referral Fee % | Minimum Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | 8-15% | $0.30 |
| Home & Kitchen | 15% | $0.30 |
| Beauty | 8-20% | $0.30 |
| Books | 15% | $0.30 |
| Clothing | 8-17% | $0.30 |
| Grocery | 8-15% | $0.30 |
Note: Some categories have additional fees (e.g., Amazon Media for books/music).
3. Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) Fees
If using Amazon’s fulfillment service, you’ll pay:
A. FBA Fulfillment Fees
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Based on product size & weight (small standard, large standard, oversize)
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Example: Small standard item (<1 lb) = 3.22−4.75
B. Monthly Storage Fees
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Jan-Sept: $0.83 per cubic foot (standard size)
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Oct-Dec (peak season): $2.40 per cubic foot
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Dangerous goods: Higher rates apply
C. Long-Term Storage Fees
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Items stored >365 days: 6.90percubicfoot∗∗OR∗∗0.15 per unit (whichever is higher)
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Items stored >180 days (Feb & Aug): Additional fees
4. Additional Amazon Seller Fees
A. High-Volume Listing Fees
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>100,000 ASINs: $0.005 per additional listing
B. Refund Administration Fee
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5-20% of referral fee (when processing returns)
C. Subscription Fees (Optional)
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Amazon Advertising (PPC): Pay-per-click (varies by keyword competition)
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Amazon Brand Registry: Free (but requires trademark)
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Amazon Vine: $200 per ASIN (for product reviews)
5. How to Calculate Your Total Amazon Fees
Example Calculation (Professional Seller, FBA):
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Product Price: $50 (Home & Kitchen category)
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Referral Fee (15%): $7.50
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FBA Fee (small standard): $4.25
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Storage (monthly): $0.30
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Total Fees: $12.05 (~24% of sale price)
6. Tips to Reduce Amazon Seller Fees
✅ Optimize product dimensions (smaller/lighter = lower FBA fees)
✅ Avoid long-term storage (use Inventory Performance dashboard)
✅ Negotiate with suppliers (lower COGS = higher margins)
✅ Use FBM for slow-moving items (avoid storage fees)
7. Amazon Fee Calculators
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FBA Revenue Calculator: Amazon Official Tool
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Third-Party Tools: Jungle Scout, Helium 10 (for profit analysis)
Final Thoughts
Amazon fees can eat into profits if not managed properly. By understanding the fee structure and optimizing your strategy, you can maximize your earnings
