Amazon FBA Fees Explained: Complete 2026 Guide
Before you source a single product, you need to know exactly what Amazon will take from every sale. Here's the complete breakdown.
Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) lets you store products in Amazon's warehouses and have them pick, pack, and ship every order. In exchange, Amazon charges several fees that can add up to 30–40% of your sale price if you're not careful.
This guide covers every fee, how to calculate your real profit, and the minimum margins you need to build a sustainable FBA business.
The Two Main FBA Fees
1. Referral Fee
The referral fee is a percentage of the total sale price (including shipping) charged on every order. It varies by category:
| Category | Referral Fee % |
|---|---|
| Electronics, Computers, Camera | 8% |
| Grocery & Gourmet Food | 8% |
| Health & Personal Care | 8% |
| Automotive | 12% |
| Home & Kitchen, Sports, Toys, Books | 15% |
| Clothing & Accessories | 17% |
| Jewelry | 20% (up to $250), 5% after |
| Gift Cards | 20% |
2. FBA Fulfillment Fee
The fulfillment fee covers Amazon picking, packing, and shipping your item. It's based on product size and weight:
| Size Tier | Weight | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Small Standard | ≤ 4 oz | $3.06 |
| Small Standard | 4–8 oz | $3.15 |
| Small Standard | 8–12 oz | $3.28 |
| Small Standard | 12–16 oz | $3.48 |
| Large Standard | ≤ 4 oz | $3.68 |
| Large Standard | 1–2 lbs | $4.75 |
| Large Standard | 2–3 lbs | $5.54 |
| Large Standard | 3–20 lbs | $6.17–$8.14 |
Additional Fees to Know
Monthly Storage Fees
Amazon charges per cubic foot of storage:
- January–September: $0.56/cu ft (standard size), $0.43/cu ft (oversize)
- October–December (peak): $2.40/cu ft (standard), $1.20/cu ft (oversize)
A small product (0.5 cu ft) stored all year costs: $0.56 × 9 months + $2.40 × 3 months = $5.04 + $7.20 = $12.24/year in storage. For slow-moving products, this adds up fast.
Long-Term Storage Fees
Inventory stored over 365 days gets charged an additional $6.90/cu ft per month (or $0.15/unit, whichever is greater). This fee alone can kill margins on slow-moving products — avoid it by forecasting inventory carefully.
Real Profit Calculation Example
Minimum Targets for a Profitable FBA Product
- Net margin ≥ 30% after all fees (including PPC)
- ROI on COGS ≥ 100% (net profit ≥ product cost)
- Sale price $15–$70 (too cheap → thin margins; too expensive → higher return rates)
- Weight under 1 lb to keep FBA fees low
- Monthly sales velocity fast enough to avoid long-term storage fees
The 3x Rule
A common FBA shortcut: your sale price should be at least 3× your landed cost (product + shipping to Amazon). If your product costs $8 all-in, price it at $24+. This roughly ensures enough margin after referral fees, FBA fees, and advertising.
The 3x rule is a starting point, not a guarantee — always run the exact numbers for your category and weight class.