Amazon Referral Fee by Category: How to Estimate It

Amazon referral fees are usually charged as a percentage of the selling price, but the rate depends on the product category and marketplace. A product with a 15% fee has a very different price floor from one with a lower or higher category rate.

During product research, the referral fee should be modeled before you compare suppliers or ad budgets.

Referral fee = selling price × referral fee rate. If a minimum referral fee applies, use the larger of the percentage fee and the minimum fee.

For example, a $40 product at 15% has a $6 referral fee. If the product margin is thin, a small rate difference can decide whether the SKU is worth testing.

Keep a category-specific fee assumption in your product sheet. Do not reuse one generic Amazon fee rate across all product ideas.

When the product is close to your minimum margin threshold, verify the exact category in Seller Central before placing an order.