You will see several additional fees as an FBM seller on Amazon in 2025. Amazon FBM sellers must track amazon fbm fees like per-item fees, referral fees, closing fees, shipping costs, and extra service fee charges. Many fbm sellers miss hidden amazon seller fees that can lower profit. Each service fee affects your cost as a seller. FBM amazon costs can change fast, so you need to know every amazon fbm service fee. If you ignore amazon fbm fees, your seller cost can rise. FBM sellers who watch every amazon fee and service fee can protect their cost and stay profitable as an amazon seller.
Amazon FBM Fees Overview
Amazon fbm sellers face several types of amazon fbm fees in 2025. You need to understand each amazon fbm fee to manage your cost and avoid surprises. This section explains the main amazon fbm fees, including which fees are new or updated for 2025.
Selling Plan Fees
You must choose between two main selling plans on amazon. Each plan affects your cost and the way amazon fbm fees apply to your account.
Selling Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Individual Selling Plan | $0.99 per item sold | No fixed annual fee | No monthly fee; pay per item selling fee |
Professional Selling Plan | $39.99 fixed monthly fee | No per item selling fee; unlimited listings and features |
The Individual plan works best if you sell fewer than 40 items per month. You pay a per item selling fee of $0.99 for each sale.
The Professional plan costs $39.99 per month, no matter how many items you sell. You get more tools and features with this plan.
Amazon has not changed these amazon seller fees for 2025. You will not see any new additional fees for selling plans this year.
Referral Fees
Amazon charges a referral fee on every sale. This amazon fbm fee is a percentage of the total sale price, including shipping charges. The referral fee rate depends on the product category.
Product Category | Referral Fee Percentage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Beauty & Personal Care | 8% | |
Consumer Electronics | 8% | |
Furniture | 15% | |
Jewellery | 20% | Minimum fee of $2 applies |
Watches | 16% | |
Books, Music, and DVDs | 15% | |
Toys & Games | 15% |
Amazon applies a minimum referral fee in some categories, such as jewelry.
In 2025, amazon has not increased referral fee rates. You will see the same referral fee percentages as last year.
Amazon uses tiered referral fee rates for some categories. Lower-priced products may have a lower referral fee, while high-margin categories may have a higher referral fee.
You must always check the referral fee for your product category. This amazon fbm fee can be one of your largest costs as a seller.
Closing Fees for Media
If you sell media products, such as books, DVDs, or video games, amazon charges a fixed closing fee. This amazon fbm fee is $1.80 per item in 2025.
Fee Type | Amount | Applicable Products | Applies to FBM Sellers? |
|---|---|---|---|
Closing Fee | $1.80 | Books, DVDs, CDs, Blu-rays, Music, Software, Video Games | Yes |
Amazon deducts this closing fee from your sale proceeds.
The closing fee applies in addition to the referral fee.
Amazon has not changed the closing fee for 2025. You will not see any new additional fees for media products.
Shipping Costs
As an fbm seller, you handle your own shipping costs. Amazon does not charge a fixed shipping fee for fbm orders. You must pay for shipping charges out of your own pocket, either by using Amazon’s Buy Shipping service or by working with third-party carriers.
Tip: Always compare shipping rates from different carriers. Lower shipping costs can help you keep more profit.
Shipping costs depend on the size, weight, and destination of each order.
Amazon may reimburse some shipping charges if you use their Buy Shipping tool, but you must pay the shipping fee up front.
Shipping fees are not standardized by amazon for fbm sellers. You must calculate your own shipping costs for every order.
Shipping rates can change during the year. Always check for updates to avoid unexpected additional fees.
Shipping costs are a major part of your total cost as an fbm amazon seller. You must track every shipping fee to keep your business profitable.
FBM Carriage Fee
Amazon fbm does not have a specific carriage fee. You, as the seller, pay all shipping charges directly to the carrier. Amazon does not set or collect a carriage fee for fbm orders.
You must manage all shipping costs, including packaging and delivery.
Amazon does not include shipping fees in any amazon fbm service fee for fulfilled by merchant orders.
This structure has not changed for 2025. FBM sellers have always handled their own shipping costs and shipping fees.
Note: The main difference between fbm and fulfillment by merchant is that you control shipping rates and shipping charges. Amazon does not charge a carriage fee, but you must pay all shipping costs yourself.
By understanding each amazon fbm fee, you can plan for all additional fees and avoid surprises. Always review your amazon seller fees and service fee structure to protect your profit.
Additional Fees and Hidden Costs
Returns and Restocking Fees
Returns can create unexpected costs for fbm sellers. Amazon requires you to accept returns within 30 days and process refunds within 2 days after receiving the item. As an fbm seller, you control restocking fees. In 2025, you can charge restocking fees from 20% up to 50% if a returned item is used or damaged. For severe cases, the fee can reach 100%. You must provide photo evidence for damage to support your claim. Some states, like California, limit restocking fees to 20% for non-defective returns. You can reduce return-related additional fees by providing clear product descriptions and accurate sizing charts. Careful inspection and documentation of returned items help you apply restocking fees fairly and avoid disputes.
Tip: Communicate your restocking fee policy clearly to buyers. This helps prevent misunderstandings and protects your cost.
Supplies and Fulfillment Expenses
You handle all packing and shipping as an fbm seller. This means you pay for boxes, tape, labels, and other supplies. These costs add up quickly, especially if you ship many orders. You also pay all shipping charges and shipping fees directly to carriers. Amazon may offer shipping credits, but these often do not cover your full shipping costs. You must track every service fee and indirect cost, such as labor or warehousing, to understand your total cost as an fbm amazon seller.
Fee Type | Description |
|---|---|
Charged when you process a customer refund; a portion of the original referral fee. | |
Lithium Battery Fees | Extra fee for products with lithium batteries due to special handling. |
High-Volume Listing Fees | Monthly fee if you have over 1.5 million active SKUs. |
Indirect Costs | Includes warehousing, labor, packing materials, and returns management. |
Account Health and Other Charges
Amazon monitors your account health closely. If you miss targets for order defect rate or late shipment, you may face extra service fees or even account suspension. You can avoid these costs by shipping orders on time and providing good customer service. Amazon fbm fees also include charges for unplanned services, such as failing to follow packaging rules. Strategic inventory management helps you avoid low-inventory fees. Always review your account health dashboard to catch issues early and protect your profit.
Note: Many of these additional fees are avoidable. Careful management of returns, supplies, and account health keeps your cost low and your fbm business strong.
Third-Party Logistics (3PL) and Fulfilled by Merchant
Many amazon fbm sellers choose third-party logistics (3PL) partners to handle their orders. You might use a 3PL when your business grows, or when you want to focus on sales instead of packing and shipping. 3PLs help you manage inventory, ship products, and process returns. This can make your fulfilled by merchant business more efficient and help you reach more customers.
Typical 3PL Fees
A 3PL charges you for several services. These include warehousing, inventory management, picking and packing, shipping, and returns. Most 3PLs set their fees by the square foot for storage. You usually pay between $0.75 and $1.50 per square foot, with an average around $1.15. These fees cover the space and labor needed to store and ship your products. As an fbm seller, you pay these costs directly, so they become part of your total cost per order. Some 3PLs also charge a service fee for special handling or fast shipping.
Tip: Compare 3PL shipping rates with your current shipping charges. You may find better deals and save on shipping costs.
Comparing 3PL and Self-Fulfillment
You need to decide if you want to ship orders yourself or use a 3PL. Many fbm sellers pick 3PLs for these reasons:
Lower startup cost—often under $1000, much less than FBA.
Faster setup—most sellers ship their first orders in six weeks.
More freedom with inventory—no strict amazon limits.
Higher profit—clearer, often lower fees than FBA.
More sales channels—3PLs help you sell on sites beyond amazon.
You may also want a 3PL if you want to scale your business, avoid storing inventory at home, or use better shipping rates. The table below shows how fbm vs fba and 3PL compare:
Aspect | FBM (Self or 3PL) | FBA (Amazon Fulfillment) |
|---|---|---|
Fulfillment responsibility | Managed by seller or 3PL | Handled entirely by Amazon |
Cost structure | Variable; depends on seller or 3PL fees | Fixed fees based on item size and weight |
Shipping costs | Can be cheaper, especially with 3PL | Monthly storage fees + long-term storage fees |
Suitable product types | Large, custom, slow-moving, or oversized | Small, lightweight, fast-moving |
~$250 (3PL shipping + storage) | ~$420 (storage + fulfillment fees) | |
Branding control | Full control over packaging and customer service | Limited to Amazon’s standards |
Impact on Amazon FBM Costs
When you use a 3PL, you add new costs to your business. You pay for storage, picking, packing, and shipping charges. These fees can raise your total cost per order. For example, if you self-fulfill, you might spend $6.30 per unit. With a 3PL, this cost can go up, but you may get better shipping rates and faster, more timely delivery. You also save time and can focus on growing your amazon business. As an fbm seller, you must track every service fee and shipping charge to protect your profit. Using a 3PL can help you avoid amazon’s long-term storage fees and give you more control over your brand. Always balance 3PL fees with your selling price to keep your business profitable.
Fee Impact and Optimization
Example Cost Breakdown
You need to know how each amazon fee affects your profit. Here is a practical example of a typical fbm order in 2025:
Fee/Cost Component | Details/Amount |
|---|---|
Product Cost (COGS) | $14.99 per unit |
Amazon Referral Fee | |
Selling Plan Fee (allocated) | $1.00 per unit (from monthly fee) |
Packaging Cost | $0.50 per unit (mailer, label, tape) |
Shipping Cost | $4.80 per unit (USPS First-Class) |
Labor/Time Cost | ~$1.00 per unit (self-fulfillment) |
Total Fulfillment Cost | $6.30 per unit |
Total Cost per Unit | $14.99 + $6.00 + $1.00 + $6.30 = $28.29 |
Selling Price | $39.99 per unit |
Estimated Net Profit | $39.99 - $28.29 = $11.70 per unit |
This table shows how each seller must track every amazon fee and cost. You see how quickly fees add up and affect your profit margins.
Profit Margin Considerations
You control your own shipping and storage as an fbm seller. This gives you more power over your profit margins. You avoid amazon’s FBA storage and fulfillment fees, which helps if you sell big or heavy products. You can save money by managing shipping yourself. Many sellers find fbm works best for oversized or slow-moving items. You pay referral fees that change by product category, so your profit margins depend on what you sell. If you handle shipping well, you keep more money from each sale. Sellers who avoid long-term storage fees and other amazon charges often see better profit margins.
You avoid high FBA fees for bulky products.
You pay only the referral fee and your own shipping cost.
You can adjust your process to improve profit margins.
Reducing Amazon FBM Fees
You can take steps to lower your amazon fees and protect your profit margins:
Compare shipping rates from different carriers to find the best deal.
Use efficient packaging to lower your packaging cost.
Track every amazon fee and review your seller account for new charges.
Set clear return policies to reduce restocking and return costs.
Choose the right product categories to lower your referral fees.
Consider using a 3PL if it helps you save on storage or labor.
Tip: Always review your seller dashboard for updates on amazon fees. Staying informed helps you keep your profit margins strong.
You face several important amazon FBM fees in 2025, including monthly subscription, per unit, and closing fees. The table below highlights the most significant charges:
Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Monthly Subscription | $39.99 | For professional FBM sellers |
Per Unit Fee | $0.99 per unit | For individual sellers |
Stay proactive by reviewing amazon announcements and using tools like the Seller Assistant calculator. Monitor your account health, compare 3PL options, and adjust pricing to protect your business. Regularly tracking every amazon fee helps you stay profitable as a seller.
FAQ
What is the biggest Amazon FBM fee in 2025?
The referral fee is usually the largest. You pay a percentage of your sale price. This fee depends on your product category. Always check your category rate before listing.
Can you avoid Amazon FBM closing fees?
You cannot avoid closing fees if you sell media items like books or DVDs. Amazon charges $1.80 per item. You can avoid this fee by selling non-media products.
How do you lower your shipping costs as an FBM seller?
You can compare rates from different carriers. Use lighter packaging. Ship in bulk when possible. Always check for discounts or special rates from shipping companies.
Do you pay Amazon FBM fees if you use a 3PL?
Yes, you still pay Amazon fees like referral and selling plan fees. You also pay your 3PL for storage, packing, and shipping. Track both sets of costs to protect your profit.
What happens if your account health drops?
Amazon may charge extra fees or suspend your account. You must ship orders on time and answer customer messages quickly. Keep your account health strong to avoid problems.
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