Fee Structure Explainer
Every fee TikTok Shop charges, explained simply. Enter your selling price and see exactly what comes out.
Updated for 2026 · Independent shipping ended March 31, 2026 · New seller 3% promo rate for first 30 days · Refund admin fee capped at $5/SKU
Referral Fee
6% = $1.80 on $29.99
What it is: TikTok's main cut on every completed sale.
Rate: 6% of (Customer Payment + Platform Discount − Tax) for most categories. Jewelry is 5%.
New seller promo: Only 3% for your first 30 days after your first sale (if first sale within 60 days of signup).
Formula: Price × 6% = Fee deducted automatically from payout.
Rate: 6% of (Customer Payment + Platform Discount − Tax) for most categories. Jewelry is 5%.
New seller promo: Only 3% for your first 30 days after your first sale (if first sale within 60 days of signup).
Formula: Price × 6% = Fee deducted automatically from payout.
Payment Processing Fee
1.02% = $0.31 on $29.99
What it is: The cost of processing the payment (card networks, banks).
Rate: ~1.02% in most US transactions. Can range 1.02%–3.78% depending on payment method.
Combined with referral fee: Blended effective fee is ~7.02% for most US sellers.
Note: Many sellers forget this — it adds up fast at volume.
Rate: ~1.02% in most US transactions. Can range 1.02%–3.78% depending on payment method.
Combined with referral fee: Blended effective fee is ~7.02% for most US sellers.
Note: Many sellers forget this — it adds up fast at volume.
FBT Fulfillment Fee
$3.58–$4.28+ per unit
What it is: Cost to pick, pack and ship your order via Fulfilled by TikTok.
Mandatory from March 31, 2026: Independent shipping (your own labels) is no longer allowed. You must use FBT, Upgraded TikTok Shipping, or Collections by TikTok (CBT).
Single unit: Starts at $3.58/unit (weight-based tiers)
Multi-unit orders: Drops to ~$2.86/unit for 4+ items — bundle products to save.
Free storage: 30 days free, then storage fees apply.
Free shipping for buyers: FBT orders automatically get free shipping since June 16, 2025.
Mandatory from March 31, 2026: Independent shipping (your own labels) is no longer allowed. You must use FBT, Upgraded TikTok Shipping, or Collections by TikTok (CBT).
Single unit: Starts at $3.58/unit (weight-based tiers)
Multi-unit orders: Drops to ~$2.86/unit for 4+ items — bundle products to save.
Free storage: 30 days free, then storage fees apply.
Free shipping for buyers: FBT orders automatically get free shipping since June 16, 2025.
Refund Administration Fee
20% of referral fee, max $5/SKU
What it is: When a customer refunds, TikTok gives back your referral fee but keeps 20% of it as an admin charge.
Rate: 20% of the original referral fee, capped at $5 per SKU (updated May 2025).
Example: $30 item → $1.80 referral fee → $0.36 refund admin fee you can't recover.
Tip: High return rate categories (fashion, beauty) can lose 2–4% of revenue to this fee alone.
Not charged if: Order is cancelled before shipping, or for creator "Buy now refund later" samples.
Rate: 20% of the original referral fee, capped at $5 per SKU (updated May 2025).
Example: $30 item → $1.80 referral fee → $0.36 refund admin fee you can't recover.
Tip: High return rate categories (fashion, beauty) can lose 2–4% of revenue to this fee alone.
Not charged if: Order is cancelled before shipping, or for creator "Buy now refund later" samples.
Affiliate Commission
10–30% — you set this
What it is: The % you pay creators for sales they drive through their content.
You control this rate. Typical range: 10–20% for most categories, up to 30% for high-ticket or competitive niches.
30-day lock: Once a creator starts promoting at a rate, you can't lower it for 30 days. Raise it instantly.
Open collaboration: Any creator can join at your rate. Target collaboration: you invite specific creators.
Tip: Offering 15–20% typically attracts active creators. Below 10% — most creators won't bother.
You control this rate. Typical range: 10–20% for most categories, up to 30% for high-ticket or competitive niches.
30-day lock: Once a creator starts promoting at a rate, you can't lower it for 30 days. Raise it instantly.
Open collaboration: Any creator can join at your rate. Target collaboration: you invite specific creators.
Tip: Offering 15–20% typically attracts active creators. Below 10% — most creators won't bother.
Full Fee Summary
| Referral fee | — |
| Payment processing (~1.02%) | — |
| FBT fulfillment (estimate) | $3.58–$4.28 |
| Affiliate commission (15% example) | — |
| Total platform fees (excl. FBT + affiliate) | — |
Source: TikTok Shop Seller Academy & Seller Center · Last verified March 2026 · Fees subject to change — always check Seller Center for latest rates.