I. Fees for Media Products (Books, Music, Videos, DVDs, Video Games, Software, and Computer Games)
Individual & Professional sellers pay a referral fee and a variable closing fee for each media product sold
The referral fee for media products is a percentage of the product price and the variable closing fee for media products is a fixed dollar amount. Both fees are set by Amazon for each media product category. The referral fee percentages and variable closing fees for media products are shown in the table below.
Amazon also sets the shipping fees charged to buyers for Books, Music, Video and DVD products sold by Professional sellers, and for all media products sold by Individual sellers. We charge these shipping fees based on the product category and the shipping service selected by the buyer, and then we pass that amount on to you. View Shipping Credits by Category.
Shipping Credits for Individual sellers
For Individual sellers, shipping rates and service levels for all product categories are set by Amazon. When you sell your items on Amazon.com, Amazon gives you a shipping credit to help cover your shipping costs. The amount you will receive as a shipping credit for an order depends on the product category and shipping service selected by the buyer.
Here's how to determine the amount of your shipping credit if your item sells:
Category
Domestic
Standard
Domestic
Expedited
Two
Day Domestic
One
Day Domestic
Standard
International
Expedited
International
Books
$3.99
$6.99
$11.98
$17.98
$12.49
$35.98
Music
$2.98
$5.19
$7.98
$11.98
$6.89
$32.98
Videos
$2.98
$5.19
$11.98
$17.98
$12.29
$35.98
DVDs
$2.98
$5.19
$7.98
$11.98
$12.29
$32.98
Video
Games
$3.99
$6.99
Not
available
Software
& Computer Games
$3.99
$6.99
Not
available
All
other categories
$4.49
+ $0.50/lb.*
$6.49
+ $0.99/lb.*
Not
available
* Refers to the weight of the item, excluding the seller's packaging.
Shipping Credits for Professional sellers
Professional sellers can set their own shipping rates and service levels for all product categories other than Books, Music, Video and DVD. When you sell your Books, Music, Video and DVD items on Amazon.com, Amazon gives you a shipping credit to help cover your shipping costs. The amount you will receive as a shipping credit for an order depends on the product category and shipping service selected by the buyer.
Here's how to determine the amount of your shipping credit if your item sells:
Category
Domestic
Standard
Domestic
Expedited
Two
Day Domestic
One
Day Domestic
Standard
International
Expedited
International
Books
$3.99
$6.99
$11.98
$17.98
$12.49
$35.98
Music
$2.98
$5.19
$7.98
$11.98
$6.89
$32.98
Videos
$2.98
$5.19
$11.98
$17.98
$12.29
$35.98
DVDs
$2.98
$5.19
$7.98
$11.98
$12.29
$32.98
Video
Games
Seller has the ability to set their own shipping rate
Software
& Computer Games
Seller has the ability to set their own shipping rate
All
other categories
Seller has the ability to set their own shipping rate
The following example illustrates how referral fees, variable closing fees and shipping credits are calculated:
Example 1: Individual Seller
An Individual seller sells a book for $10 to a customer in the US who has selected standard shipping.
The seller receives $10.00 for the sale of the book and $3.99 as the standard shipping credit.
The seller is charged $1.50 for the 15% referral fee and $1.35 for the variable closing fee.
Professional sellers are not charged a fixed per-item closing fee since they are charged a $39.99 per month subscription fee.
Credits
Item price
$10.00
Standard domestic shipping credit
$3.99
Amazon Fees
Commission: 15%*$10
($1.50)
Variable Closing Fee
($1.35)
Fixed per-item closing fee
($0.99)
Sale Proceeds $
Net amount credited to you
$10.15
Example 2: Professional Seller
A Professional seller sells a book for $10 to a customer in the US who has selected standard shipping.
The seller receives $10.00 for the sale of the book and $3.99 as the standard shipping credit. Seller is charged $1.50 for the 15% referral fee on the product price of $10, and $1.35 as the variable closing fee.
Professional sellers are not charged a fixed per-item closing fee since they are charged a $39.99 per month subscription fee.
Credits
Item price
$10.00
Standard domestic shipping credit
$3.99
Amazon Fees
Commission: 15%*$10
($1.50)
Variable Closing Fee
($1.35)
Sale Proceeds $
Net amount credited to you
$11.14
Example 3: Professional Seller
A Professional seller sells a video game for $30 to a customer in the US who has selected gift-wrap services and standard shipping. Seller charges the buyer $5.00 for gift-wrapping and $4.00 for domestic standard shipping.
Seller receives the item price of $30.00, the $5.00 gift-wrap fee and the $4.00 shipping fee, and is charged $5.25 for the 15% referral fee on the product price plus gift-wrap, and $1.35 as the variable closing fee.
Professional sellers are not charged a fixed per-item closing fee since they are charged a $39.99 per month subscription fee.
II. Fees for Non-Media Products (For products other than Books, Music, Videos, DVDs, Video Games, Software, & Computer Games)
For Professional sellers the referral fees are applied to the total proceeds from sales of products other than
media products
Media Products
- Books
- Video Games
- Music
- Software & Computer Games
- Videos VHS
- Video Game Consoles
- DVD
, which includes the product price and all shipping and handling, gift-wrap and other charges, but excludes any taxes and customs duties.
Individual sellers are charged the same types of fees on the sale of non-media products as they are on media products; that is, a referral on item price, a variable closing fee, and a fixed per-item closing fee. View variable closing fee schedule
Below are the referral fees applied to sales by Professional and Individual sellers of non-media products, by category.
Variable Closing Fees Schedule for Other Categories
The following are the variable closing fees charged to individual sellers on the sale of products other than media products:
The following examples illustrate how fees are calculated for non-media items:
Example 4: Professional Seller
A Professional seller sells a camera that weighs 3lbs for $200 to a customer in the US who has selected standard shipping, for which seller charges $7.
Seller is charged the Camera and Photo category referral fee of 8% on the total sales proceeds of $207 (item price + shipping fee).
Credits
Item price
$200.00
Standard domestic shipping credit
$7.00
Amazon Fees
Commission: 8%*($200+$7)
($16.56)
Sale Proceeds $
Net amount credited to you
$190.44
Example 5: Individual Seller
An Individual seller sells a camera that weighs 3lbs for $200 to a customer in the US who has selected standard shipping.
Seller receives the $200 for the sales of the camera and $5.99 as the standard shipping credit. Seller is charged the Camera and Photo category referral fee of 8% on the item price, $.60 as the variable closing fee and $0.99 as the fixed per-item closing fee.
2Effective June 5, 2009, we are not accepting new applications from sellers to list products within the Clothing & Accessories category. We are also not accepting requests for UPC exemptions in Clothing & Accessories.
The Amazon Clothing & Accessories category is committed to providing our customers with the best shopping experience possible, and is currently working on enhancements to the Clothing & Accessories customer experience. While that work is underway, we will not be accepting new sellers in the category.
We do not have a completion date for this work but expect it will be ongoing through 2010. When the Clothing & Accessories category reopens to new sellers, we plan to reactivate the approval request process so sellers may submit their information to category management for review.Read More
How it Works
Upload Your Product Inventory
With Selling on Amazon, it's easy to upload your
inventory. Once you've registered use the Web-based tools, a free desktop
software application, or text files to get up and running fast.
Customers See Your Products on Amazon.com
Amazon.com is a leading web site and is a stop for
millions of online shoppers. By listing your products on Amazon.com, reach
millions of potential customers every day.
Customers Purchase Your Products
Amazon.com makes buying your products a snap. With
features like 1-Click and a brand millions of consumers trust, we help
customers make quick, easy, worry-free purchases.
You Ship Products to Customers
Amazon notifies you by email when an order has been
placed. You simply pack and ship your item to the customer (unless you let
Fulfillment by Amazon do the work).
Amazon Transfers Payments to You
Amazon deposits payment into your bank account, and
sends you an email notifying you that your payment has been sent.
Ready. Set. Sell!
Welcome to Selling on Amazon. You're about to embark on a venture that can put your products in front of tens of millions of customers. Be prepared to enter a selling channel focused on world-class customer service, fast and efficient fulfillment, and great products at great prices.
At Amazon, customer experience is always our top priority. When you become an Amazon Seller, we ask that you, too, put the customer first. Present your products according to our approved format. Ship products on time. Give customers the experience that Amazon (and all Amazon Sellers) must provide to maintain a safe and trusted online retail environment. Be "customer-obsessed." We think you'll find that it's not only good for customers, it's good for business.
Selling on Amazon - Dos and Don'ts
To help you get started, we're sharing a few tips and best practices-and a few rules-so you can hit the ground running.
When you sell on Amazon be prepared to:
Provide an Amazon-tailored Seller Profile
Customers want to buy from a business they know and trust. So when you put together your Selling on Amazon profile, don't simply cut-and-paste information from other locations. Create specific business practices and customer-facing information related to Selling on Amazon.
Make Sure Your Listings Meet Amazon Requirements
Our successful sellers have found that listing products in the right categories and with the correct information is the best start for good customer service and strong sales. Correct listings and maintaining inventory to be able to fulfill orders is critical. Amazon customers expect to receive the product they selected, packaged well, and shipped quickly. Set up shipping charges, sale pricing, and promotions with Amazon tools; don't include any of this information in your product listings.
Align Your Shipping and Fulfillment Policies
The best way to avoid disappointing customers, is to set expectations and then meet them. When you set up your account, you'll find information about shipping expectations that you will integrate into your existing systems. You'll also find that you're required to confirm product shipments to keep customers informed about the progress of their orders.
Handle Returns and Refunds Gracefully
No one looks forward to taking returns and making refunds, but it is part of retailing and a requirement of the Amazon sales process. Taking returns gracefully can lead to better feedback about your customer service.
Communicate with Amazon Customers Appropriately
Selling on Amazon requires less communication with customers than most other channels. Establish a communications plan that meets Amazon guidelines. (Note that e-mail communications-other than as necessary for order fulfillment and related customer service-are handled by Amazon.) Of course, all communications must be courteous, relevant, and appropriate.
Monitor Performance and Metrics
Amazon will measure your performance on the platform. We'll look at customer service, feedback, A-to-z claims, chargebacks, order cancellations and refunds, late shipping and policy compliance. Great sellers find these metrics help them manage and monitor their business on Amazon and beyond.
When you Sell on Amazon you must not...
Register for Multiple Seller Accounts
When registering, you will be creating a single selling account for your company. Operating and maintaining multiple seller accounts is prohibited.
Divert Amazon Customers
Do not include URLs on any listings, images or supporting information, and do not hyperlink to your site from any part of the Amazon process.
Market to Amazon Customers
Your company must not market or advertise to Amazon customers, nor divert them in any way from the Amazon sales processes-not even in otherwise permitted communications. Make sure everyone on your team, from marketing to fulfillment, is aware of these requirements.
Bribe Customers for Positive Feedback
Bribing customers to leave positive feedback or to remove negative feedback is not permitted.
Help Along the Way
Ready to get started? Once you register, you'll get access to Seller Central, our web-based seller tool. There you'll find lots of additional information-tutorials, webinars, FAQs and other resources-to help you make the most of your Selling on Amazon business.
Category Style Guide
At Amazon, we do our best to provide a consistent look and feel for our
customers. However, each category has slight nuances regarding style of
product listings. To provide you with additional information we've prepared
category specific style guides. You can review your category style guide by
clicking on drop-down below:
*Category requires approval
**Effective June 5, 2009, we are not accepting new applications from sellers to list products within the Clothing & Accessories category. We are also not accepting requests for UPC exemptions in Clothing & Accessories.
The Amazon Clothing & Accessories category is committed to providing our customers with the best shopping experience possible, and is currently working on enhancements to the Clothing & Accessories customer experience. While that work is underway, we will not be accepting new sellers in the category.
We do not have a completion date for this work but expect it will be ongoing through 2010. When the Clothing & Accessories category reopens to new sellers, we plan to reactivate the approval request process so sellers may submit their information to category management for review.Read More
A Small Business Gets Big Business Benefits with Amazon Services
The Uber Shop, a Texas-based apparel retailer, began selling online in 2000. After six years of trying different third party tools, they decided to use Amazon as their selling platform. "Amazon allowed us to switch from a survival strategy to a growth strategy," says Uber Shop president, Diana Kinsey. "They have a better strategic marketing plan, better customer retention and a cost structure that provided better opportunity for thin margin small business." Read Seller Success Story
You can sign-up now to sell items in the following categories: Books, Music,
DVD, Video/VHS, Baby, Beauty, Camera & Photo, Electronics, Grocery & Gourmet Food, Health &
Personal Care, Home & Garden, Musical Instruments, Office Products, Personal
Computers, Software, Sports & Outdoors, Toys & Games, Tools & Hardware,
Video Games and Wireless Antennas & Boosters1.
Prior approval is required to sell in the following categories: Automotive, Cell Phones & Accessories, Clothing & Accessories2, Jewelry & Watches and Shoes. To request approval,
contact
us.
1Valid October 7, 2009, through April 5, 2010.
Amazon Wireless Antennas & Boosters team is reducing the Referral Fee on
sales of Wireless Antennas & Boosters for an initial 6-month test period. We will lower the customary referral fee from 15% to 12% for orders received between Oct 7, 2009 and April 5, 2010. We anticipate
this change will enable Amazon Sellers to continue to offer our customers a
broad selection of their favorite consoles at competitive prices. The new,
lower referral fee will be applied to existing and new listings of eligible
ASINS of Wireless Antennas & Boosters as identified on a Seller Central Help
page.
Read More
2Effective June 5, 2009, we are not accepting new applications from sellers to list products within the Clothing & Accessories category. We are also not accepting requests for UPC exemptions in Clothing & Accessories.
The Amazon Clothing & Accessories category is committed to providing our customers with the best shopping experience possible, and is currently working on enhancements to the Clothing & Accessories customer experience. While that work is underway, we will not be accepting new sellers in the category.
We do not have a completion date for this work but expect it will be ongoing through 2010. When the Clothing & Accessories category reopens to new sellers, we plan to reactivate the approval request process so sellers may submit their information to category management for review.Read More
These include: Magazines and Newspapers, Adult
Toys, Gift Cards and Gift Certificates, Guns and Ammunition, Photo
Processing, Prescription Medication, and Tobacco and Alcohol.
The A-to-z Guarantee Program is designed to handle
situations where a customer either never received a product or received a
product that is materially different from what was ordered or expected. We
ask customers to first contact the merchant when they have a problem. If the
merchant fails to resolve the problem, the customer can file an A-to-z
claim. When Amazon.com receives the claim, we send the merchant an automated
email detailing the claim which requests a response with basic information
about the order and the fulfillment process. Amazon.com will then determine
how the claim will be settled which may include reimbursement of the order
to the customer, at the merchant's expense.
Seller Central is the Web interface used to manage
all aspects of selling on Amazon.com. You can add product information, make
inventory updates, manage orders, and manage payments though a suite of
Web-based and downloadable tools.
You have three options for submitting
product-related data:
Use the Add a Product feature on Seller Central to create one
product at a time
Use the Seller Desktop, which is a free, easy-to-use desktop
application that can be used to manage and upload inventory one product
at a time or in bulk.
Use inventory files to create multiple products simultaneously.
You can use the Web-based Manage Your Orders tool on Seller Central.
You can download the daily order report, a tab-delimited file that
provides a summary of the orders you received, and includes customer and
shipping information so you can fulfill those orders.
You can use the Amazon Services Order Notifier (ASON), which is a
desktop application for computers running Microsoft Windows. It is
designed to make managing your incoming orders quick and easy.
Yes. Our Gift Messaging service allows customers to
write gift messages for individual items or for entire orders, and our Gift
Wrap service allows customers to select and pay for gift-wrapping for each
item in their order. As an Amazon Services merchant, you can make either or
both of those services available to buyers of your items.
Yes customers can leave feedback. Maintaining a
high feedback rating is a critical factor for success on Amazon.com.
It's the best way for shoppers to identify you as a trustworthy
merchant. Your rating appears on the Offer Listing Page and is one of
the first things that customers see.
Customers are more likely to purchase products from merchants with
higher ratings.
Your feedback rating is a key metric used by Amazon.com to measure
your performance.
Amazon first settles your account 14 days after you
register. Subsequently, the settlement process repeats every 14 days. It
normally takes 5 business days from the settlement until the money is
available in your bank account. For a settlement to take place, you must
Have a positive or zero Selling on Amazon account balance.
Commission fees and customer refunds, if any, can affect your balance.
Have entered valid information in Seller Central for your U.S. bank
checking account.
If you are looking to sell only a few products or
expect to have less than 40 orders a month,
click
here to sign up as an Individual seller with Amazon which has no
monthly fee but instead a per product sold fee of $0.99.
Sellers can sell on Amazon.com with an Individual account or a Professional account. The differences between the two types of accounts are outlined in the table below.
Seller Account Type:
Individual
Professional
Monthly Subscription Fee
N/A
$39.99
Per Sale Closing Fee
$0.99
N/A
Ability to create new products and add them to the Amazon catalog
No
Yes
Use of feeds, spreadsheets, and other tools to load inventory
No
Yes
Access to order reports and order-related feeds
No
Yes
Eligible for featured seller status; this is necessary to win the Buy Box on product detail pages
No
Yes*
Listings automatically expire after 60 days
Yes
No
*does not apply to Books, Music, Video & DVD products
Yes. You can use Amazon Product Ads to list your products on Amazon.com and pay a cost per click each time a customer clicks on your product. Amazon Product Ads is different from Selling On Amazon because the customer clicks through to your website to purchase your product. Also, there are no minimum fees or minimum spend required to list with this program. Learn More.
Whether you're new to Amazon, or just want to
take your sales to the next level, we want you to see the benefit of
teaming up with the world's leading internet retailer and unlocking the
potential of your business.
Running time: 1min 42sec
Download presentation and get tips on managing orders and customer contacts, learn about tools to increase your sales and access links to additional resources.
Webinars
Sell on Amazon.com: Tips for getting started right this holiday season This webinar is for sellers who are just getting started Selling on Amazon or want to learn about best practices for managing their business on Amazon.com.
In this webinar we will cover the following:
About Amazon: How Selling on Amazon works and listing on the Product Detail Page
Getting Started Right: What to consider when setting up your account, Best practices for managing your account, and Amazon Policies and Procedures Overview
Tips: Managing at the holidays and best practices for maintaining good seller performance metrics
Resources: Getting Started Guide, Seller Central Help, Tutorials and Seller Support Blog
Learn How to Sell Your Stuff on Amazon.com this Holiday Season This webinar is for who are just getting started Selling on Amazon. In this webinar we will cover the following:
About Amazon: How to Think About Your Business on Amazon, How Selling on Amazon works and the Single Detail Page.
Getting Started Right: What to consider when listing products, Best practices for Getting Set Up and Amazon Policies and Procedures Overview.
Tips: Managing at the holidays and best practices for seller performance metrics.
Resources: Getting Started Guide, Listing Recommendation Tool, Seller Central Help, Tutorials and Seller Support Blog.
Managing Your Amazon.com Business
Now that you are Selling on Amazon, you probably have some questions. In this webinar we'll talk about best practices and what to avoid. View On-Demand Webinar
Getting Started Selling on Amazon.
Just getting started Selling on Amazon? In this webinar we will give you a brief overview and then show you where to find information on the following: Account Set Up, Uploading Products, How to enter the right data for your product listing, and How to Manage Your Listings Information. You'll be pointed to resources including the Getting Started Guide, Listing Recommendation Tool, Tutorials and Seller Support. View On-Demand Webinar
What is Selling on Amazon?
