Selling in the Amazon American marketplace (United States, Canada, and Mexico) allows global sellers to access millions of customers. However, before launching products, sellers must understand the different Amazon selling plans and cost structures that affect profitability. Amazon offers multiple pricing models, including subscription plans and additional service fees such as fulfillment and advertising.
Below are the top 10 major costs and selling plans sellers should know before entering the U.S. Amazon marketplace.
1. Individual Selling Plan
The Individual selling plan is designed for beginners or small sellers who sell fewer products each month.
Cost
- $0.99 per item sold
- No monthly subscription fee
Best for
- New sellers
- Sellers with fewer than 40 monthly sales
This plan allows sellers to list products but offers limited tools compared to the professional plan.
2. Professional Selling Plan
The Professional selling plan is the most popular option for serious Amazon businesses.
Cost
- $39.99 per month
- No per-item fee
Benefits
- Access to Amazon advertising
- Bulk product listing
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- Eligibility for Buy Box
This plan is recommended for sellers planning to scale their Amazon business.
3. Referral Fees
Amazon charges a referral fee for every product sold on the platform.
Typical Fee Range
- 8% – 15% for most categories
- Minimum referral fee around $0.30
The percentage varies depending on the product category such as electronics, clothing, or home products.
4. Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) Fees
With FBA, Amazon handles storage, packing, shipping, and customer service.
Typical FBA Costs
- Standard size products: about $3 – $7 per unit
- Oversized products: $8 – $150+ depending on size
FBA is widely used because it allows sellers to qualify for Prime shipping and improve delivery speed.
5. Monthly Storage Fees
If sellers use FBA warehouses, Amazon charges a monthly storage fee based on the space used.
Typical storage costs
- $0.87 per cubic foot (Jan–Sep)
- $2.40 per cubic foot (Oct–Dec peak season)
6. Long-Term Storage Fees
If inventory remains in Amazon warehouses for more than 365 days, additional long-term storage fees apply.
Typical cost:
- $6.90 per cubic foot or $0.15 per unit.
This encourages sellers to maintain fast-moving inventory.
7. Shipping Fees (FBM / Merchant Fulfilled Network)
If sellers do not use FBA, they can choose Merchant Fulfilled Network (FBM).
In this model:
- Sellers pack and ship products themselves
- Shipping cost depends on logistics providers and destination.
8. Amazon Advertising Costs
Amazon offers several advertising formats such as:
- Sponsored Products
- Sponsored Brands
- Sponsored Display
These ads work on a pay-per-click (PPC) model, meaning sellers only pay when someone clicks their ad.
9. Refund Administration Fees
When customers return products, Amazon may charge a refund administration fee.
Typical rule:
- $5 or 20% of the referral fee (whichever is lower).
10. Optional Amazon Programs and Services
Amazon also provides optional programs that may involve additional costs, including:
- Brand Registry
- Inventory placement services
- International currency conversion
- Premium account tools.
Amazon USA Seller Management Support
Many international sellers use professional agencies like SympleEcom Solutions (https://sympleecom.com/) to manage their Amazon USA accounts.
These agencies help with:
- Amazon USA account setup
- Listing optimization and keyword SEO
- Amazon PPC campaign management
- Product launch strategies
- Inventory and order management
Professional Amazon management services help sellers reduce mistakes and scale faster in competitive markets.
✅ Conclusion
Selling on the Amazon American marketplace offers enormous opportunities, but understanding the cost structure is essential. Sellers must consider subscription plans, referral fees, fulfillment costs, and advertising expenses before launching products. By selecting the right selling plan and managing fees effectively, businesses can build profitable and scalable Amazon stores.
