How to read this table
The referral fee is Amazon's commission on every sale — charged on the full transaction value (item price plus any shipping or gift-wrap you charge), and applied to FBA and FBM sellers alike. Most categories are a flat 15%, but several are tiered: the rate changes at price breakpoints. Those are the ones where sellers most often miscalculate, because they apply a single rate to the whole price instead of the tier structure.
Tiered categories to watch
- Clothing & Accessories: 5% at/under $15, 10% from $15.01–$20, 17% above $20. A $14.99 shirt pays 5%; a $15.01 shirt pays 10% — the breakpoint matters.
- Grocery & Gourmet: 8% under $15, 15% at/above $15.
- Beauty & Personal Care: 8% at/under $10, 15% above.
- Jewelry: 20% up to $250, then just 5% on the portion above $250.
The $0.30 minimum
Most categories carry a $0.30 minimum per unit. On a $2 accessory at 15%, the math says $0.30 — and the minimum holds it there. On anything sub-$4 it's the minimum, not the percentage, that sets your fee.
Pick the right category
If your product could list in more than one category, the fee can differ by several points. Selling consumer electronics (8%) instead of a 15% catch-all on the same item changes your margin materially. Verify your browse node in Seller Central — Amazon can also reclassify listings during catalogue updates, so re-check your top SKUs each quarter.
Are referral fees the same for FBA and FBM?
Yes. The referral fee is identical whether Amazon fulfills (FBA) or you ship yourself (FBM). The difference is the fulfillment cost: FBA charges a per-unit fulfillment fee, while FBM sellers carry their own shipping and lose the Prime badge. Use the FBA vs FBM calculator to see which wins for your product.
Does the referral fee include payment processing?
Yes — unlike eBay or Etsy, Amazon's referral fee already includes payment processing. There's no separate 2.9% + $0.30 card fee on top, which makes Amazon's effective rate lower than the headline percentage suggests when comparing platforms.
Can I negotiate or reduce referral fees?
No. Referral fees are non-negotiable and uniform for all sellers — there are no volume discounts. The only levers are choosing a lower-fee category (where your product legitimately fits) or hitting a price tier that qualifies for a reduced rate.