Amazon Referral Fees by Category: 2026 Guide with Examples
By Saurabh Pandey · Updated · 3 min read
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Every time you sell on Amazon, Amazon takes a referral fee: a percentage of the sale that depends on the product category. For most items it is 15%, but some categories pay as little as 8% and others pay 17% or 20%. Amazon referral fees are charged whether you use FBA or ship orders yourself.
This guide lists the Amazon US referral fee rates, explains the two ways tiered rates work, and shows worked examples.
How Amazon referral fees work
- The fee is a percentage of the total sales price: the item price plus any shipping and gift-wrap charges the buyer pays.
- Most categories have a minimum referral fee of $0.30 per item.
- Media categories (books, DVDs, music, software, video) also pay a $1.80 closing fee per item.
- On top of referral fees you pay a selling plan fee: $39.99 a month on the Professional plan, or $0.99 per item sold on the Individual plan.
Amazon referral fees by category (US)
| Category | Referral fee |
|---|---|
| Most categories (home & kitchen, toys, sports, office, pet, tools) | 15% |
| Beauty, health & personal care, baby | 8% if the item is $10 or less, 15% above |
| Clothing & accessories | 5% up to $15, 10% from $15 to $20, 17% above $20 |
| Footwear, eyewear, backpacks, handbags & luggage | 15% |
| Jewelry | 20% of the price up to $250, 5% of the part above |
| Watches | 16% of the price up to $1,500, 3% of the part above |
| Electronics accessories | 15% of the price up to $100, 8% of the part above |
| Consumer electronics, computers, full-size appliances | 8% |
| Furniture | 15% of the price up to $200, 10% of the part above |
| Grocery & gourmet | 8% if $15 or less, 15% above (no minimum) |
| Automotive, business & industrial, power tools | 12% |
| Books, DVD, music, software, video | 15% + $1.80 closing fee |
| Amazon device accessories | 45% |
The full table we use, with the date it was last checked against Amazon:
| Category | Referral fee (on item price + shipping) |
|---|---|
| Most categories (home & kitchen, toys, sports, office, pet, tools, beauty over $10 …) | 15% (minimum $0.30) |
| Beauty, health & personal care / baby products | 8% if the sale is $10.00 or less, 15% above that (minimum $0.30) |
| Clothing & accessories | 5% if the sale is $15.00 or less, 10% if the sale is $20.00 or less, 17% above that (minimum $0.30) |
| Footwear, eyewear, backpacks, handbags & luggage | 15% (minimum $0.30) |
| Jewelry | 20% up to $250.00, 5% on the rest (minimum $0.30) |
| Watches | 16% up to $1,500.00, 3% on the rest (minimum $0.30) |
| Electronics accessories | 15% up to $100.00, 8% on the rest (minimum $0.30) |
| Consumer electronics, computers, full-size appliances | 8% (minimum $0.30) |
| Furniture | 15% up to $200.00, 10% on the rest (minimum $0.30) |
| Grocery & gourmet | 8% if the sale is $15.00 or less, 15% above that |
| Automotive, business & industrial, power tools | 12% (minimum $0.30) |
| Books, DVD, music, software, video (+$1.80 closing fee) | 15% |
| Amazon device accessories | 45% (minimum $0.30) |
| Size & weight | Price under $10 | $10–$50 | Over $50 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Standard, up to 8 oz | $2.66 | $3.54 | $3.80 |
| Small Standard, up to 16 oz | $2.95 | $3.96 | $4.22 |
| Large Standard, up to 1 lb | $3.78 | $4.60 | $4.86 |
| Large Standard, up to 2 lb | $5.00 | $5.82 | $6.08 |
| Large Standard, up to 3 lb | $5.85 | $6.67 | $6.93 |
| Small bulky, first lb | $6.78 | $7.55 | $7.55 |
| Size & weight | Price under $10 | $10–$50 | Over $50 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Standard, up to 8 oz | $2.86 | $3.74 | $4.00 |
| Small Standard, up to 16 oz | $3.17 | $4.18 | $4.44 |
| Large Standard, up to 1 lb | $4.07 | $4.89 | $5.15 |
| Large Standard, up to 2 lb | $5.33 | $6.15 | $6.41 |
| Large Standard, up to 3 lb | $6.26 | $7.08 | $7.34 |
| Small bulky, first lb | $7.82 | $8.59 | $8.59 |
Selling plans: Professional $39.99/month or Individual $0.99 per item sold. Referral fees use the total sales price (item + shipping + gift wrap). FBA fees: non-peak rates 15 Jan – 14 Oct 2026, holiday peak rates 15 Oct 2026 – 14 Jan 2027, plus a 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge since 17 April 2026. Extra-large items, storage, inbound placement and returns fees are not included.
Last verified: . Official sources: Sell on Amazon: selling plans and referral fees · Seller Central: 2026 US FBA fulfillment fee changes
Two kinds of tiered rates
Tiered categories work in one of two ways, and the difference matters:
1. Whole-price thresholds. In beauty, clothing and grocery, the item's price decides one rate for the whole sale. A $30 T-shirt pays 17% on the full $30 ($5.10), while an $18 T-shirt pays 10% on the full $18 ($1.80). Pricing at $19.99 instead of $20.99 can cut the referral fee sharply.
2. Portion-based tiers. In jewelry, watches, electronics accessories and furniture, the rates apply to portions of the price, like tax bands. A $300 sofa pays 15% on the first $200 ($30) plus 10% on the remaining $100 ($10): $40 in total.
Worked examples
| Item | Price | Referral fee |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen gadget (most categories) | $25 | 15% = $3.75 |
| Bluetooth speaker (consumer electronics) | $40 | 8% = $3.20 |
| Silver necklace (jewelry) | $60 | 20% = $12.00 |
| Hoodie (clothing) | $30 | 17% = $5.10 |
| T-shirt (clothing) | $18 | 10% = $1.80 |
| Lip balm (beauty) | $8 | 8% = $0.64 |
| Paperback (books) | $12 | 15% + $1.80 = $3.60 |
| Sofa (furniture) | $300 | $40.00 |
| Keyring (most categories) | $1.50 | minimum fee = $0.30 |
Calculate the referral fee, FBA fee and profit together:
Amazon FBA Fee Calculator
Open full calculatorFee breakdown
Enter your selling price to see Amazon's fees.
Referral fees on shipping and gift wrap
Because the fee is based on the total sales price, shipping charges you collect are included. If you fulfil orders yourself (FBM) and charge $5 shipping on a $25 item, the 15% fee applies to $30, so it is $4.50 rather than $3.75. With FBA, Prime shipping is free to the buyer, so the fee is normally just on the item price.
How to use referral fees in your pricing
- Check the category before you source a product. A 17% or 20% category needs a much higher margin than an 8% one.
- Watch the price thresholds in beauty, clothing and grocery. A few cents can change the rate for the whole sale.
- Add every Amazon fee, not just the referral fee. FBA fees, storage, the monthly plan and advertising often cost more. Our guide to Amazon FBA fees covers them.
- Know your break-even price. The Amazon FBA calculator shows the lowest price that still covers all fees and costs.
The bottom line
Most Amazon sales pay a 15% referral fee, but the right category and price point can cut that to 8% or 10%, and the wrong one can push it to 17% or 20%. Check the category before you list, and run every product through the Amazon FBA calculator.
Referral fees in this guide were checked against Amazon's US selling fees page in October 2026. Rates differ on other Amazon marketplaces.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Amazon referral fee?
It is the commission Amazon takes on every sale, calculated as a percentage of the total sales price (item price plus shipping and gift wrap). For most categories in the US it is 15%, with a $0.30 minimum per item.
Which Amazon category has the lowest referral fee?
Consumer electronics, computers and full-size appliances pay 8%, and so do beauty and grocery items at lower prices. Clothing priced at $15 or less pays just 5%.
Do FBA sellers pay referral fees?
Yes. Referral fees apply to every Amazon sale, whether Amazon fulfils it (FBA) or you ship it yourself (FBM). FBA fulfilment fees are charged on top.
What is the Amazon closing fee?
Books, DVDs, music, software and video items pay a $1.80 closing fee per item sold, in addition to the 15% referral fee.