Fulfilment and fees
What is Referral fee?
A referral fee is the percentage of the total sale price a marketplace takes as commission. On Amazon it is typically 15%, though it varies by category from 8% to 45% and is subject to a minimum per item.
Why it matters
The referral fee applies to the full price the buyer pays, including shipping in most categories — not to your profit. Sellers who calculate it against margin rather than revenue consistently understate their costs.
Some categories change rate at a price threshold. Jewelry drops from 20% to 5% above $250; clothing steps through 5%, 10% and 17% by price band. Getting the band wrong on a borderline product materially changes the maths.