Who this is for
Sellers considering Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) or current FBA sellers looking to understand their true costs in 2026. Whether you're evaluating FBA vs. merchant fulfillment (FBM) or trying to optimize existing FBA operations, you need accurate fee numbers to price profitably.
Calculate your Amazon FBA fees
See referral fees, fulfillment costs, and your net profit per unit.
The goal
Understand every fee Amazon charges so you can calculate your actual profit margin—not just your revenue. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly what FBA costs, when each fee applies, and how to minimize unnecessary charges.
Quick summary: How much does Amazon FBA cost per item?
For a typical product in 2026, Amazon FBA costs $5-15 per item in total fees, or 20-30% of your sale price. Here's the breakdown:
Quick Reference: FBA Fee Summary 2026
| Fee Type | Typical Range | When You Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Referral fee | 8-15% of sale price | Every sale |
| FBA fulfillment fee | $3.06-$10 per unit | Every sale |
| Monthly storage | $0.78-$2.40/cubic foot | Monthly |
| Aged inventory surcharge | $1.50-$7.90/cubic foot | After 181 days |
| Total per item (typical) | $5-15 or 20-30% of sale | Per sale + monthly |
Common fee totals by price point:
- $15 item: ~$4-5 total (27-33%)
- $30 item: ~$7-9 total (23-30%)
- $50 item: ~$11-13 total (22-26%)
- $100 item: ~$20-25 total (20-25%)
The exact amount depends on your product's size, weight, category, and how quickly it sells. Let's break down each fee.
1. Referral fees: 8-45% by category
Amazon charges a referral fee on every sale—a percentage of the total sale price (including shipping if charged separately). This fee varies significantly by category. For a complete breakdown by category, see our Amazon Referral Fees by Category guide.
Amazon Referral Fee by Category 2026 (Complete Table)
| Category | Referral Fee | Minimum Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Device Accessories | 45% | $0.30 |
| Jewelry | 20% (5% above $250) | $0.30 |
| Gift Cards | 20% | None |
| Clothing & Accessories | 17% | $0.30 |
| Watches | 16% | $2.00 |
| Home & Kitchen | 15% | $0.30 |
| Toys & Games | 15% | $0.30 |
| Sports & Outdoors | 15% | $0.30 |
| Pet Supplies | 15% | $0.30 |
| Tools & Home Improvement | 15% | $0.30 |
| Office Products | 15% | $0.30 |
| Beauty | 15% (8% ≤$10) | $0.30 |
| Health & Household | 15% (8% ≤$10) | $0.30 |
| Baby Products | 15% (8% ≤$10) | $0.30 |
| Grocery & Gourmet | 15% (8% ≤$15) | None |
| Furniture | 15% (10% above $200) | $0.30 |
| Automotive | 12% | $0.30 |
| Consumer Electronics | 8% | $0.30 |
| Video Game Consoles | 8% | $0.30 |
| Full-Size Appliances | 8% | $0.30 |
| Personal Computers | 6% | $0.30 |
| Books, Music, DVDs | 15% + $1.80 closing fee | None |
Standard categories (15%)
Most categories charge 15%:
- Home & Kitchen
- Toys & Games
- Sports & Outdoors
- Pet Supplies
- Tools & Home Improvement
Lower fee categories (6-12%)
- Personal Computers: 6%
- Consumer Electronics: 8%
- Full-Size Appliances: 8%
- Video Game Consoles: 8%
- Automotive: 12%
Higher fee categories (17-45%)
- Clothing & Accessories: 17%
- Watches: 16% (with $2.00 minimum)
- Jewelry: 20% (5% on portion over $250)
- Gift Cards: 20%
- Amazon Device Accessories: 45%
Tiered categories
Some categories have tiered pricing based on sale price:
Grocery & Gourmet:
- 8% for items $15 or less
- 15% for items over $15
Baby Products:
- 8% for items $10 or less
- 15% for items over $10
Furniture:
- 15% on portion up to $200
- 10% on portion over $200
Minimum referral fee
Most categories have a $0.30 minimum referral fee per item. A few exceptions:
- Watches: $2.00 minimum
- Gift Cards, Grocery, Media: No minimum
Variable closing fee (media items)
Books, DVDs, music, software, and video games have an additional $1.80 closing fee per unit—on top of the referral fee.
Quick reference: Referral fee by popular category
For quick lookups when evaluating new products:
Lowest fees (6-8%):
- Personal Computers: 6%
- Consumer Electronics: 8%
- Full-Size Appliances: 8%
- Video Game Consoles: 8%
Mid-range fees (12-15%):
- Automotive: 12%
- Home & Kitchen: 15%
- Toys & Games: 15%
- Sports & Outdoors: 15%
- Pet Supplies: 15%
- Tools & Home Improvement: 15%
- Office Products: 15%
Higher fees (16-20%):
- Watches: 16% ($2.00 minimum)
- Clothing & Accessories: 17%
- Jewelry: 20% (5% on portion above $250)
- Gift Cards: 20%
Highest fee:
- Amazon Device Accessories: 45%
Special case (tiered by price):
- Beauty, Health & Household, Baby: 8% for items ≤$10, then 15%
- Grocery & Gourmet: 8% for items ≤$15, then 15%
- Furniture: 15% up to $200, then 10% on portion above $200
This makes Electronics and Computers the most fee-efficient categories for FBA, while Amazon Device Accessories should generally be avoided unless margins are extremely high.
Quick Estimate: Amazon FBA Fees
2. FBA fulfillment fees: By size and weight
FBA fulfillment fees cover picking, packing, and shipping your product. The fee depends on your product's size tier and weight.
Size tier definitions
Small Standard:
- Max dimensions: 18" x 14" x 8"
- Max weight: 20 lbs
Large Standard:
- Exceeds small standard but under 60" longest side
- Max weight: 70 lbs
Large Bulky:
- Exceeds large standard limits
- Requires special handling
Extra-Large:
- Four weight tiers: up to 50 lbs, 50-70 lbs, 70-150 lbs, over 150 lbs
2026 fulfillment fee rates
Small Standard (non-apparel):
| Weight | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2 oz or less | $3.06 |
| 2-4 oz | $3.15 |
| 4-6 oz | $3.24 |
| 6-8 oz | $3.33 |
| 8-10 oz | $3.43 |
| 10-12 oz | $3.53 |
| 12-16 oz | $3.77 |
Large Standard (non-apparel):
| Weight | Fee |
|---|---|
| 4 oz or less | $3.68 |
| 4-8 oz | $3.98 |
| 8-12 oz | $4.28 |
| 12 oz - 1 lb | $4.75 |
| 1-1.25 lb | $4.99 |
| 1.25-1.5 lb | $5.37 |
| 1.5-2 lb | $5.68 |
| 2-2.5 lb | $5.98 |
| 2.5-3 lb | $6.28 |
| Each additional lb | +$0.38 |
Large Bulky:
- Base fee: $9.61 + $0.38 per lb above 1 lb
Extra-Large (0-50 lb):
- Base fee: $26.33 + $0.38 per lb above 1 lb
New for 2026: Small Bulky category
Products with longest side 18-37 inches OR weighing 20-50 lbs now qualify for a new "Small Bulky" tier with 21-23% lower fees than the previous Large Standard classification.
Dimensional weight
Amazon uses the greater of actual weight or dimensional weight:
Dimensional Weight = (Length x Width x Height) / 139
Example: A 12" x 8" x 6" box weighing 1 lb:
- Dimensional weight: (12 x 8 x 6) / 139 = 4.1 lbs
- Amazon charges based on 5 lbs (rounded up), not 1 lb
This catches many sellers off guard—lightweight but bulky items get charged as if they were heavier.
Peak season surcharge
October 15 - January 14: Add $0.19-$0.29 per unit for standard items, up to $1.00 for oversize/hazmat.
3. Monthly storage fees
Amazon charges for warehouse space based on cubic feet used.
Standard-size storage
| Period | Rate per cubic foot |
|---|---|
| January - September | $0.78 |
| October - December | $2.40 |
Oversize storage
| Period | Rate per cubic foot |
|---|---|
| January - September | $0.53 |
| October - December | $1.40 |
Peak season (Q4) storage costs 3x more than the rest of the year. Plan inventory accordingly.
How to calculate storage cost
Example: A product measuring 10" x 8" x 6" (0.28 cubic feet)
- Off-peak: $0.78 x 0.28 = $0.22/month
- Peak season: $2.40 x 0.28 = $0.67/month
For slow-moving inventory, storage fees add up quickly.
4. Aged inventory surcharge
Formerly called "long-term storage fees," this surcharge hits inventory sitting too long in Amazon warehouses.
2026 rates
| Days in Inventory | Surcharge |
|---|---|
| 181-270 days | $1.50 per cubic foot |
| 271-365 days | $5.45 per cubic foot |
| 12-15 months | $6.90/cubic foot OR $0.30/unit (whichever is greater) |
| 15+ months | $7.90/cubic foot OR $0.35/unit (whichever is greater) |
The 15+ month tier is new for 2026 and represents Amazon's push to discourage slow-moving inventory.
How to avoid it
- Monitor the Inventory Age Report in Seller Central
- Run promotions before the 181-day mark
- Create removal orders for slow movers
- Maintain inventory turnover of at least 6x per year
5. Storage utilization surcharge
If your inventory levels exceed your sales velocity, you may face additional charges.
How it works
Amazon calculates your Storage Utilization Ratio (SUR)—weeks of inventory relative to sales. Surcharges apply when:
- Inventory stored over 30 days
- Storage utilization exceeds 22 weeks of demand
2026 rates
| Utilization Ratio | Surcharge per cubic foot |
|---|---|
| Below 22 weeks | $0 |
| 44-52 weeks | $1.58 |
| 52+ weeks | $1.88 |
Strategy: Keep inventory at 4-8 weeks of supply to avoid both stockouts and storage surcharges.
6. Inbound placement service fee
When you ship inventory to Amazon, you may pay a placement fee depending on how many fulfillment centers receive your shipment.
Fee structure
- Amazon-optimized (4+ locations): $0 fee
- Partial splits: Reduced fee
- Minimal splits (fewer locations): $0.27-$1.58 per unit
How to avoid it
Select "Amazon-optimized shipment splits" when creating shipments. You'll ship to more locations, but avoid the placement fee entirely.
7. Additional and optional fees
Removal and disposal fees
When you need inventory back or disposed of:
- Standard items under 2 lbs: ~$0.97 per unit
- Items over 2 lbs: $2.89 base + $1.06 per lb over 2 lbs
Returns processing fees
- Apparel and shoes: Per-order fee (not per-unit)
- Other categories: Fee applies only when return rate exceeds category threshold (~5.5%)
Labeling and prep services
Important change: As of January 1, 2026, Amazon discontinued FBA Prep Services in the US. All inventory must arrive pre-labeled and prepped. Use a third-party prep center or do it yourself.
Unplanned service fees
If your shipment doesn't meet Amazon's requirements, you'll pay per-unit charges for:
- Labeling
- Poly bagging
- Manual processing
Avoid these by following Amazon's packaging guidelines precisely.
Real sale examples: Complete fee breakdowns
Example 1: Small electronics item ($15)
Product: Phone case, 4 oz, Electronics category
Sale price: $15.00
────────────────────────────────────────────
Referral fee (8%): -$1.20
FBA fulfillment (4 oz): -$3.15
Monthly storage (est.): -$0.05
────────────────────────────────────────────
Total Amazon fees: $4.40
Your revenue: $10.60
Fee percentage: 29.3%
If your product cost is $3 with $1 inbound shipping, your profit is $6.60 (44% margin).
Example 2: Home & Kitchen item ($50)
Product: Kitchen gadget, 1.5 lbs, Home & Kitchen category
Sale price: $50.00
────────────────────────────────────────────
Referral fee (15%): -$7.50
FBA fulfillment (1.5 lb): -$5.37
Monthly storage (est.): -$0.15
────────────────────────────────────────────
Total Amazon fees: $13.02
Your revenue: $36.98
Fee percentage: 26.0%
If your landed cost is $18, your profit is $18.98 (38% margin).
Example 3: Oversize furniture item ($100)
Product: Small shelf, 12 lbs, Home category (oversize)
Sale price: $100.00
────────────────────────────────────────────
Referral fee (15%): -$15.00
FBA fulfillment (12 lb oversize): -$13.79
Monthly storage (oversize, est.): -$2.50
────────────────────────────────────────────
Total Amazon fees: $31.29
Your revenue: $68.71
Fee percentage: 31.3%
If your landed cost is $35, your profit is $33.71 (34% margin). But if inventory sits 3+ months, storage fees erode this significantly.
Complete FBA cost comparison by product category
To help you evaluate profitability across different product types, here's a comprehensive breakdown of total FBA costs by popular categories. All examples assume a standard-size item under 1 lb.
| Category | Referral Fee | Example Price | Referral $ | Fulfillment Fee | Total Fees | Fee % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Computers | 6% | $500 | $30.00 | $4.75 | $34.75 | 7.0% |
| Consumer Electronics | 8% | $100 | $8.00 | $4.28 | $12.28 | 12.3% |
| Automotive | 12% | $40 | $4.80 | $3.98 | $8.78 | 22.0% |
| Home & Kitchen | 15% | $50 | $7.50 | $5.37 | $12.87 | 25.7% |
| Toys & Games | 15% | $30 | $4.50 | $3.98 | $8.48 | 28.3% |
| Sports & Outdoors | 15% | $35 | $5.25 | $4.28 | $9.53 | 27.2% |
| Pet Supplies | 15% | $25 | $3.75 | $3.68 | $7.43 | 29.7% |
| Beauty | 15% | $20 | $3.00 | $3.68 | $6.68 | 33.4% |
| Clothing & Accessories | 17% | $40 | $6.80 | $4.28 | $11.08 | 27.7% |
| Watches | 16% | $200 | $32.00 | $4.75 | $36.75 | 18.4% |
| Jewelry | 20% | $100 | $20.00 | $4.28 | $24.28 | 24.3% |
Key insights from this table:
- Personal Computers have the lowest total fee percentage (7.0%) due to the 6% referral rate
- Pet Supplies and Beauty have the highest fee percentages (30%+) when selling lower-priced items
- Higher-priced categories (Computers, Watches, Electronics) see better fee-to-price ratios
- Fulfillment fees matter more for cheap items — on a $20 item, the $3.68 fulfillment fee is 18.4% alone
How to use this table for product selection
When evaluating a product to sell via FBA, compare your category's typical fee percentage to your profit margin goal:
- Goal: 40%+ margin → Need low-cost products in Electronics (8%) or Computers (6%) categories
- Goal: 30% margin → Works for most categories if product cost is under 40% of sale price
- Goal: 20% margin → Difficult in high-fee categories (Beauty, Pet Supplies, Clothing) unless sale price is high
Example decision: A $25 pet supply item with 15% referral + $3.68 fulfillment = $7.43 (29.7%). If your product costs $10 with $2 shipping, you net $5.57 (22% margin). To hit 35% margin, you'd need to lower product cost to $6 or raise price to $32.
FBA vs. FBM: When does FBA make sense?
FBA advantages
- Prime badge: Increases conversion 20-40%
- Buy Box preference: FBA offers often win the Buy Box
- Hands-off fulfillment: Amazon handles shipping, returns, customer service
- Multi-channel fulfillment: Use FBA inventory for non-Amazon orders
FBM advantages
- Lower fees: No fulfillment fee, no storage fees
- Control: Handle your own quality control and packaging
- Better for slow movers: No aged inventory surcharges
- Better for oversize: Storage costs make FBA expensive for large items
Break-even analysis
FBA makes sense when:
- Products turn over quickly (6+ times per year)
- Items are small and lightweight
- You value time over cost savings
- Prime badge significantly impacts your conversion
FBM makes sense when:
- Products are large/heavy (oversize tier)
- Inventory turns slowly (2-3x per year)
- You have existing fulfillment infrastructure
- Margins are thin and fees make a big difference
Cost comparison example
100 units of a Home & Kitchen item:
| Cost Type | FBA | FBM (3PL) | FBM (DIY) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulfillment | $537 | $250 | $200 |
| Storage (3 mo) | $45 | $50 | $0 |
| Total | $582 | $300 | $200 |
FBM saves $282-$382 per 100 units—but loses the Prime badge. Use our Platform Comparison Calculator to compare your total fees across Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and other marketplaces side by side.
How to reduce FBA fees
1. Optimize product dimensions
Even small reductions in size can drop you to a lower tier:
- Use poly bags instead of boxes when possible
- Minimize packaging while meeting Amazon's requirements
- Redesign packaging to fit within size tier thresholds
2. Monitor inventory velocity
- Keep 4-8 weeks of inventory
- Run promotions before the 181-day aged inventory threshold
- Use Amazon's Restock Inventory tool for recommendations
3. Use Amazon-optimized shipments
Select the "Amazon-optimized" option when creating shipments to avoid inbound placement fees.
4. Consider product bundling
Bundling multiple items into one ASIN means one fulfillment fee instead of multiple—often reducing per-unit costs.
5. Use the Revenue Calculator
Before sourcing any product, run the numbers in Amazon's Revenue Calculator to understand true profitability.
FAQ
How much does Amazon FBA cost per item in 2026?
Amazon FBA costs $5-15 per item on average in 2026, depending on size and category. This includes: $3.06-10 fulfillment fee + $1.20-15 referral fee (8-15% of sale price) + $0.05-0.50 monthly storage. For a $30 item, expect total fees of $7-9 (23-30%).
How much does Amazon FBA cost per month?
Amazon FBA monthly costs include two components: monthly storage fees ($0.78-2.40 per cubic foot) and the per-item fees on each sale. A typical small seller with 200 units in stock and 50 sales/month pays roughly $50-100 in storage fees plus $250-500 in per-sale fees (fulfillment + referral).
How much does Amazon FBA take from a sale?
For a typical product, FBA takes 20-30% of your sale price. This includes the referral fee (8-15%), fulfillment fee ($3-$7), and storage costs. Higher for oversize items or slow-moving inventory.
What is the Amazon FBA referral fee?
The referral fee is a percentage of your sale price that Amazon charges on every sale. Most categories pay 15%, but it ranges from 6% (computers) to 45% (Amazon device accessories).
How much are Amazon FBA storage fees?
Monthly storage costs $0.78 per cubic foot January-September, and $2.40 per cubic foot October-December. Oversize items pay $0.53 and $1.40 respectively. Aged inventory (181+ days) incurs additional surcharges.
What is the Amazon referral fee for Home & Kitchen in 2026?
Home & Kitchen products have a 15% referral fee with a $0.30 minimum per item. For a $50 item, you pay $7.50 in referral fees. This is one of the standard-rate categories—most home goods, kitchenware, and furniture accessories fall into this tier.
What is the Amazon referral fee percentage by category?
Referral fees range from 6% (Personal Computers) to 45% (Amazon Device Accessories). The most common rate is 15% for categories like Home & Kitchen, Toys, Sports, Pet Supplies, and Tools. Electronics and Automotive have lower rates (8-12%), while Clothing (17%) and Jewelry (20%) have higher rates.
Is Amazon FBA worth it in 2026?
For most sellers, yes—if your products turn over quickly and fit standard size tiers. The Prime badge increases conversions 20-40%, often outweighing higher fees. For oversize or slow-moving products, FBM may be more profitable.
What is the FBA fulfillment fee?
The fulfillment fee covers picking, packing, and shipping. It ranges from $3.06 for small items under 2 oz to $26+ for extra-large items. The fee is based on size tier and weight.
How do I calculate FBA profit?
Profit = Sale Price - Referral Fee - Fulfillment Fee - Storage Fees - Product Cost - Inbound Shipping. Use Amazon's Revenue Calculator for accurate estimates before sourcing.
Can I avoid FBA storage fees?
You can minimize storage fees by maintaining fast inventory turnover (sell within 4-8 weeks of receiving), avoiding peak season restocking unless necessary, and removing slow-moving inventory before the 181-day mark.
What are the new FBA fees for 2026?
2026 brings modest increases averaging $0.08 per unit. Key changes include new aged inventory tiers (15+ months at $0.35/unit), a new Small Bulky category with 21-23% lower fees, and the discontinuation of FBA Prep Services.
What are Amazon FBA fees for 2026?
Amazon FBA fees in 2026 include: referral fees (8-15% for most categories), FBA fulfillment fees ($3.06-10+ per unit based on size/weight), monthly storage ($0.78-2.40 per cubic foot), and optional fees like inbound placement. Average total cost is 20-30% of sale price for standard-size items.
How much does it cost to use Amazon FBA?
The total cost depends on your product. For a small standard item (under 10 oz) priced at $20, expect to pay approximately $5-6 total: $1.60-3.00 referral fee + $3.06-3.43 fulfillment fee + $0.05-0.20 monthly storage. Larger or heavier items cost significantly more.
What is the cheapest way to sell on Amazon FBA?
Keep products small and lightweight (Small Standard tier), maintain fast inventory turnover to minimize storage fees, use Amazon-optimized shipments to avoid placement fees, and optimize packaging to fit within lower size tiers. Small electronics and beauty products under 10 oz typically have the lowest FBA costs relative to sale price.
What is Amazon FBA pricing in 2026?
Amazon FBA pricing in 2026 includes referral fees (8-15% for most categories), fulfillment fees ($3.06-$10+ per unit based on size and weight), and monthly storage fees ($0.78-$2.40 per cubic foot). Total FBA charges typically add up to 20-30% of your sale price. Use our Amazon FBA Calculator to estimate your exact costs.
What are Amazon FBA charges and rates?
Amazon FBA charges fall into three categories: referral fees (a percentage of each sale, varying by category), fulfillment fees (a flat rate per unit based on size and weight), and storage fees (charged monthly per cubic foot). FBA rates increased modestly for 2026, averaging $0.08 more per unit for fulfillment. See the full FBA fee schedule above for current rates.
Next steps
- Calculate your margins using Amazon's Revenue Calculator or our Amazon FBA Calculator
- Optimize your listings with our Amazon Bullet Point Generator and Amazon Title Formula
- Create compliant titles following our Amazon Title Requirements guide
- Understand category-specific fees in our Amazon Referral Fees by Category breakdown
For complete listing optimization, try our AI Listing Generator to create titles, bullets, and descriptions that convert.
Calculate your Amazon FBA fees
See referral fees, fulfillment costs, and your net profit per unit.
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Sources
- 2026 US Referral and FBA Fee Changes Summary – Amazon Seller Central
- Update to U.S. Referral and FBA Fees for 2026 – Selling Partners
- FBA Fulfillment Fee – Amazon Seller Central
- Product Size Tiers – Amazon Seller Central
- Monthly Inventory Storage Fees – Amazon Seller Central
- Aged Inventory Surcharge – Amazon Seller Central
- FBA Inbound Placement Service Fee – Amazon Seller Central
- Referral Fees – Amazon Seller Central
- Returns Processing Fee – Amazon Seller Central
- How Much Does It Cost to Sell on Amazon – Amazon Seller