Amazon typically takes 15% on average for referral fees, but total fees—including storage, advertising, and fulfillment (FBA)—can make Amazon's total cut exceed 50% of a seller's revenue, according to studies. Referral fees generally range from 8% to 15% for most categories.
How much percentage does Amazon take from sellers?
Amazon seller fees include a choice between an Individual plan (pay per item sold) or a Professional plan (monthly subscription), plus variable referral fees (percentage of sale, varies by category) and fulfillment fees (if using FBA), with other potential costs like advertising or long-term storage. Fees depend on your selling plan, product type, and fulfillment method, with new categories and rates often introduced.
Both the monthly subscription and referral fees apply to all Amazon sellers; however, unlike the selling plan fees, referral fees are percentage-based and vary according to the product category. Amazon referral fees can go as low as 3% (e.g. expensive watches) or as high as 45% (when selling Amazon Device Accessories).
Amazon's referral fees are their main revenue driver, typically ranging from 8% to 15% depending on your product category. These Amazon commission for selling rates are non-negotiable and apply to every single sale. Books get hit with a 15% fee, while electronics enjoy a more reasonable 8%.
Selling on Amazon is a great way for beginners to start a business online with access to millions of potential customers. After all, Amazon is the biggest online marketplace in the UK, with annual sales of nearly £17.5 billion.
Amazon Seller Fees and Seller Calculator | What percentage does Amazon charge for selling?
Is it free to sell on Amazon?
How much does it cost to sell with Amazon? We offer two selling plans so you can choose the right package of tools and services for the right price. The Individual selling plan costs $0.99 per sale. The Professional selling plan costs $39.99 per month, no matter how many items you sell.
How much money do you need to start selling on Amazon? Most sellers need $1,000–$5,000 to launch properly, though it's possible to start selling with under $500 using models like retail arbitrage.
Choose a selling plan. With the Individual plan, you'll pay 75p every time you sell an item. The Professional plan costs £25 per month, no matter how many items you sell. For both plans, Amazon also collects a referral fee on each sale, which is a percentage of the total transaction and varies by product category.
Etsy has lower startup costs but charges recurring fees. Amazon has higher fees but provides better scalability through Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). Etsy allows more personalization and storytelling, making it better for building customer loyalty. Amazon is more product-focused, prioritizing efficiency over creativity.
If you don't recognize a charge, check to see if: An Amazon Prime membership or Prime Video subscription was renewed. For more information, go to Manage Your Memberships & Subscriptions. A Prime Video add-on subscription was renewed.
FBM is better for smaller scale, small margin products or one-off products where the seller doesn't mind storing and shipping products. If you like having more control over your inventory then FBM is for you, however, if you like the idea of Amazon storing and dealing with returns, then FBA is the way to go.
From the 1st January 2024, HMRC has instructed that digital platforms such as Airbnb, Uber, eBay, Deliveroo, Amazon, Etsy, Fiverr and Upwork, automatically report individuals earnings to HMRC directly as part of HMRC's crackdown to tackle tax evasion.
One of the most common mistakes Amazon UK sellers make is using generic, non-localized listings—often copied from US marketplaces or product suppliers. On the surface, this might seem efficient, but in reality, it can cost you clicks, conversions, and ultimately, sales. UK buyers shop differently from US customers.
In 2024, a painting by blind artist Gafur Timeryanov, titled The Way, appeared on Amazon priced at $32 million. Timeryanov, who paints by touch and handcrafts his own frames, reportedly had the most expensive item ever sold on Amazon.
What Is The Most Sold Item In the World? The most sold item in the world is clothing and fashion items. This ranges from women's and men's outfits to children's clothing, shoes, accessories, and more.
