If you sell on Amazon (or you’re considering getting started), one question inevitably comes up sooner or later: how much commission does Amazon take from each sale? It’s a fair question — in such competitive marketplace, even a few percentage points can be the difference between a genuinely profitable product and one that simply generates volume without real margin.
The short answer is this: Amazon charges a different percentage depending on the product category, and this commission is known as the referral fee. Understanding how that percentage is applied, what it’s calculated on, and what changes have been introduced in Europe for 2026 — which may affect certain sellers — can make a real difference to your profitability.
The Key Amazon Commission: The Referral Fee
When most people search for “Amazon fees” on Google, they’re usually asking about one specific thing: the percentage Amazon deducts from each sale. That percentage is the referral fee, which essentially works as a commercial commission for giving your product visibility in the marketplace that ultimately converts, and for providing the infrastructure that makes that sale possible.
Amazon does not apply one universal percentage across the board. Instead, it defines a percentage by category and subcategory, and that referral fee is automatically deducted whenever you make a sale.
The key here is not to focus only on the number itself. Many sellers get confused because they assume the percentage applies only to the product price — but Amazon specifies that it is calculated on the total sales price, which may include shipping or other charges paid by the buyer.
In other words: the fee might be “15%”, but if your final checkout price is higher than you expected, the actual fee Amazon takes will also be higher.
What Percentage Does Amazon Charge in 2026? (And Why There Isn’t a Single Number)
Generally speaking, most Amazon referral fees fall within a typical range of 8% to 15%, although some categories sit above or below that depending on their nature, their return rates, or Amazon’s broader category strategy.
For example, categories such as Home, Beauty, Sports, Baby, or Toys often fall within that range. Others — like Fashion — have historically had more complex fee structures and, in Europe, have also been impacted by recent changes that we’ll cover below.
The important thing to understand is that Amazon structures referral fees to reflect the economics of each category. Categories with higher return rates, greater handling complexity, or more operational cost tend to carry higher fees. Categories where margins are traditionally tighter — or where competition is more intense — may have lower fees… or specific price-based adjustments.
How the Fee Is Calculated: The Detail Many Sellers Miss
One of the main reasons so many sellers feel that “Amazon takes more than expected” is simple: they didn’t calculate the fee base correctly.
The formula is straightforward:
Referral fee = Total sales price × Category percentage
The crucial part is the concept of “total sales price.”
Amazon specifies that the referral fee is calculated on the total amount paid by the buyer, which may include shipping or additional charges if those are part of the transaction.
Example
Imagine you sell a product for €29.99, and Amazon applies a 15% referral fee in that category.
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Product price: €29.99
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Shipping charged to the buyer: €3.99
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Total paid by the buyer: €33.98
The fee is not calculated on €29.99, but on €33.98:
€33.98 × 0.15 = €5.10
This small detail explains why, in many cases, sellers feel the percentage “doesn’t match” what they expected.
Is There a Minimum Referral Fee? Yes — and It Mainly Affects Low-Priced Items
Another point that surprises many sellers is that, in certain categories, Amazon applies a minimum referral fee per item. This means that if the percentage-based fee results in a very small amount, Amazon may charge the minimum fee instead.
This is particularly noticeable with low-priced products. For instance, if you sell very inexpensive items, even if the percentage seems reasonable, the minimum fee can make the effective cost significantly higher than expected. That’s why, when a catalogue includes a lot of “low price” items, it becomes especially important to review how the final fee calculation works.
Key Changes in Europe for 2026: Amazon Lowers Referral Fees in Certain Categories
In a move that has generated significant interest, Amazon announced referral fee reductions across parts of Europe for 2026, with notable adjustments in categories such as fashion and home — particularly for lower-priced products.
Some of the most discussed examples include:
Clothing and Accessories
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5% (previously 8%) for items priced at €15 or less
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10% (previously 15%) for items priced between €15 and €20
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Applicable across all European stores and effective from 15 December 2025
Home
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8% (previously 15%) for items priced at €20 or less
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Applicable from 1 February 2026 in Europe
In addition, Amazon announced reductions in categories related to groceries and pet products in lower price ranges, as part of a broader strategy to increase competitiveness against low-cost marketplaces.
These changes are especially relevant for sellers competing heavily on price and moving high volumes of entry-level products, because even a small commission reduction can have a meaningful impact on profitability.
How to Find the Exact Referral Fee Percentage for Your Product
While ranges and examples are useful, the final percentage always depends on your exact category and, in some cases, the item price. That’s why, to find the exact referral fee Amazon will apply to your products, the right approach is to consult:
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The official Amazon pricing / seller fees pages for your marketplace
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The referral fee tables in Seller Central (by category and subcategory)
Amazon publishes this information officially and keeps it updated.
Conclusion: Understanding Amazon’s Referral Fee Percentage Is the First Step to Selling Profitably
In 2026, selling on Amazon still means playing by clear rules: Amazon primarily charges a category-based referral fee percentage, typically falling between 8% and 15%, with exceptions and specific adjustments in certain sectors.
If you understand how the fee is calculated from the start — and what it’s applied to — you’ll make better pricing decisions and avoid unpleasant surprises when reviewing your settlements.
If you want to receive daily payouts for what you sell on Amazon, get in touch with the Wannme team.
