Amazon India charges a referral fee as a share of the sale price, set by the product's category and often its price band. The exact 2025 percentages are published in Seller Central's fee schedule and change over time, so confirm the latest version there. Then compare the fee charged on each order in your settlement report against the category your product is mapped to.
What a referral fee category means on Amazon India
The referral fee is Amazon's commission for selling on its marketplace. It is generally calculated as a percentage of the sale price, and the percentage depends on the category your product is listed under. Some categories also use price slabs, so the same category can attract different percentages at different selling prices.
This means the fee is not a single number for your brand. A seller with apparel, accessories and home products can pay different referral fees across the same settlement cycle, and each fee should trace back to a specific line in the fee schedule.
Where to find the 2025 referral fee rates
Do not rely on blog posts, old screenshots or forwarded PDFs for percentages, including this one. Amazon revises its fee schedules, and your own terms can differ from the general rate card. Use these sources in order:
- Seller Central fee schedule or rate card: the current published referral fee table by category and price band.
- Your seller agreement and any addenda: these may carry negotiated or programme-specific terms.
- Account manager emails: save any written confirmation of a rate change, with its effective date.
- Fee preview or revenue calculator in Seller Central: useful for a quick estimate, but treat the schedule as the reference.
Always note the effective date of the version you used. A fee charged in March may follow a different table from one charged in September.
What changes the fee you actually pay
- Category and sub-category mapping: the product type chosen at listing decides which row of the schedule applies.
- Selling price: where slabs exist, a price change can move an item into a different percentage.
- Effective date: orders placed before and after a fee revision may be charged differently.
- Programme or agreement terms: special arrangements can override the general table.
- Listing errors: a wrong browse node or product type can place an item in a costlier category.
Of these, misclassification is the one sellers most often miss, because the fee looks plausible on its own. It only looks wrong when you compare it with what the category should have been.
Referral fee versus other Amazon charges
The referral fee is only one line in a settlement. Keep it separate from other charges so you do not blame the wrong component.
| Charge type | What it relates to | Where to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Referral fee | Commission based on category and price | Fee schedule, seller agreement |
| Closing or fixed fee | Per-order fee, where applicable | Fee schedule |
| Shipping or fulfilment fee | Delivery and handling, depending on programme | Rate card for your shipping model |
| GST and TCS on fees or sales | Tax components | Tax invoices, your tax adviser |
For tax treatment and rates, confirm the latest rules with your tax adviser instead of assuming a figure.
How to check referral fees in your settlements
- Export the settlement or payment report for the period, with order-level fee lines.
- Map each SKU to its category and price band in the fee schedule valid on the order date.
- Compute the expected referral fee for each order, then compare it with the fee charged.
- Flag orders where the difference exceeds your tolerance, and group them by SKU or category to find patterns.
- Check returns and cancellations, since fee reversals can be partial or delayed.
- Raise cases with order IDs, the schedule version and your calculation.
Doing this by spreadsheet is feasible at low volumes. At higher volumes, a tool such as MarketplaceMetrics by Fundle can reconcile sales and settlements and check fees against agreed terms. Myntra Excel reports are reviewed today, while Amazon and Flipkart coverage is a scope discussion.
Mistakes that lead to overcharges going unnoticed
- Checking only the total payout and not individual fee lines.
- Using an outdated fee schedule for newer orders.
- Ignoring price-slab thresholds after discounts or price edits.
- Leaving listing categories unreviewed after catalogue uploads.
- Waiting too long to raise a case, when your window for corrections may be limited. Check the dispute timelines in your agreement.
Worked example
Illustrative example only. The percentages and amounts below are assumed for explanation and are not Amazon's actual rates.
- Product sale price: ₹1,000 per unit
- Referral fee per your fee schedule for the correct category: 8% = ₹80
- Referral fee charged in settlement because the item was mapped to a different category: 10% = ₹100
- Excess per unit: ₹20
- Units sold in the period: 500
- Potential excess to recover: ₹10,000 (illustrative)
The total payout may look normal, but the order-level comparison shows the gap and which SKU caused it.
Questions and answers
Is the Amazon referral fee the same for all categories?
No. The referral fee varies by category and, in many cases, by price band. Check the current fee schedule in Seller Central for your product type, and also check your seller agreement in case any negotiated terms apply to you.
Where can I download the latest Amazon India referral fee rates?
Open the fee schedule or rate card section in Seller Central and note its effective date. Rates can be revised, so avoid relying on third-party tables. Keep a dated copy for reference when you compare it against settlements.
Can a wrong category increase my referral fee?
Yes. If a product is listed under a category or product type that carries a higher fee, you may be charged more than expected. Review your listing's category mapping and raise a correction request with supporting evidence if it is wrong.
How often should I check referral fees against settlements?
Check every settlement cycle, and again after a fee revision, catalogue upload or price change. Regular order-level checks surface patterns early and leave you enough time to raise cases within the window in your agreement.