· Fee rates checked 06 Nov 2026.
What referral fee does Amazon charge on clothing?
Clothing and accessories pay 5% when the total sales price (item price plus shipping) is $15 or less, 10% from $15 to $20, and 17% above $20, charged on the whole total, with a $0.30 minimum. Most other categories pay 15%.
| Price + shipping | Buyer pays | Tier | Referral fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 + $4.99 | $14.99 | 5% | $0.75 |
| $15.00 + $4.99 | $19.99 | 10% | $2.00 |
| $15.99 + $4.99 | $20.98 | 17% | $3.57 |
| $24.99 + $4.99 | $29.98 | 17% | $5.10 |
These tiers apply to the Clothing and Accessories category, which is where print-on-demand shirts, hoodies and sweatshirts are listed. Amazon introduced the lower tiers for cheaper apparel; above $20 the rate is the same 17% that clothing paid before.
Is the referral fee charged on shipping too?
Yes. Amazon charges the referral fee on the total sales price: the item price plus the shipping and gift wrap the buyer pays. The same total decides which tier applies, so a $15.99 shirt with $4.99 shipping ($3.57) is in the 17% tier.
That surprises sellers who compare only the item price with the $15 and $20 thresholds. Always add the shipping you charge before you check the tier, or let the Amazon fee calculator do it.
Why can a lower price keep more money?
Because crossing a threshold raises the rate on the whole order, not just the part above it. A $15.00 shirt with $4.99 shipping pays $2.00 (10%); at $15.99 it pays $3.57 (17%), so the extra $0.99 of price costs more than it brings in.
Just below each threshold is a sweet spot: a total of $15.00 or $20.00 keeps the lower rate. If your margin works at a total under $20, price there; if it needs more, go well above $20 rather than just over it. The profit calculator finds the lowest price that keeps your margin and checks the prices below each tier for you.
What does a print-on-demand shirt pay on Amazon?
With a $9.49 cost per item (a Gildan 5000 printed and shipped) and $4.99 shipping, the lowest price that keeps a 30% margin is $9.99, and a $24.99 shirt pays $5.10 in referral fees.
| Marketplace | Price for 30% margin | Fees at that price |
|---|---|---|
| Etsy | $11.99 | $2.06 |
| Amazon | $9.99 | $0.75 |
| TikTok Shop | $10.99 | $1.28 |
| Shopify | $9.99 | $0.73 |
With a $9.49 cost per item and $4.99 shipping. Public US fee rates; Shopify excludes the monthly plan, Amazon uses clothing referral tiers.
Print-on-demand sellers usually fulfil orders through their supplier (FBM), so no FBA fulfilment or storage fee is added. Advertising is separate: keep ACoS under your margin before ads with the ACoS calculator.
Do I also pay a monthly or per-item fee?
Yes, one of the two. The Professional plan is $39.99 a month; the Individual plan has no monthly fee but charges $0.99 per item sold. Professional is cheaper once you sell about 40 items a month.
The referral fee comes on top of either plan. See the official referral fee schedule for every category and the full Amazon guide for images, listings and keywords.
Sources: Etsy · Amazon · TikTok Shop · Shopify