Amazon FBA Fees Explained (2026): Referral, Fulfillment and Storage
Amazon FBA charges three separate fees: a referral fee of roughly 8% to 17% of the sale (15% is most common, and it varies by category), a per-unit fulfillment fee based on size and weight (often $3 to $8 for standard items), and monthly storage fees based on the space your inventory occupies. A typical standard-size item can lose 30% to 45% of its sale price to Amazon before your product cost.
The three fee layers
Amazon FBA profit is decided by three fees that stack on top of each other. Sellers who only budget for the referral fee are consistently surprised by how little reaches their bank account.
- Referral fee: a percentage of the total sale price (including shipping), charged on every order. It varies by category.
- Fulfillment fee: a flat per-unit charge for Amazon to pick, pack, and ship the item. It scales with size and weight.
- Storage fee: a monthly charge based on the cubic feet your inventory occupies, higher in Q4.
Referral fees by category
The referral fee is the biggest and most category-dependent. Most categories sit at 15%, but electronics and computers are often 8%, apparel is 17%, and jewelry can be 20% on the first portion of the price. Always confirm your exact category rate, because a 15% assumption on an 8% category (or vice versa) badly distorts your margin math.
A common mistake: assuming 15% across the board. On a $40 electronics item the real referral fee may be 8% ($3.20) not 15% ($6.00), a difference that can double your net profit.
Fulfillment fees by size and weight
The fulfillment fee replaces your own shipping and handling. Small standard items typically run around $3.00 to $3.65, large standard items around $4.00 to $7.60, and oversize items climb from there. Because this is a flat per-unit fee, low-price products suffer most: a $3.50 fulfillment fee is a rounding error on a $60 item but a killer on a $12 one.
Storage fees and the slow-mover trap
Storage fees are charged monthly per cubic foot and rise sharply in the fourth quarter. Long-term storage surcharges apply to inventory that lingers past a set number of days. Bulky, slow-selling products can quietly turn unprofitable through storage fees alone, which is why sell-through rate matters as much as margin.
When FBM beats FBA
If your product is light, cheap, and you can ship it yourself for less than Amazon charges, fulfilling by merchant (FBM) can net more. If your product is small, fast-moving, and benefits from Prime, FBA usually wins on conversion even after the fees. Model both before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Does the referral fee apply to shipping too?
Yes. The referral fee is calculated on the total the customer pays, including any shipping charge, not just the item price.
Are FBA storage fees included in the fulfillment fee?
No. Storage is billed separately every month based on the space your inventory uses. The fulfillment fee only covers picking, packing, and shipping a sold unit.
How do I find my exact referral fee?
Check Amazon’s category referral fee schedule for your specific product category, then enter that percentage in the Product Margin Calculator (which has Amazon category presets built in).
Related tools & guides
MerchSites tools and guides are written and reviewed by ecommerce practitioners. Calculations are cent-accurate estimations based on reported platform fees and standard formula math.