Do You Have to Pay Monthly to Sell on Amazon?

Selling products on Amazon can be a lucrative business venture, but it's essential to understand the costs involved. One of the common questions new sellers ask is whether they need to pay a monthly fee to sell on Amazon. The answer depends on the type of seller account you choose. Amazon offers two types of accounts: the Individual account and the Professional account. Each has different features and costs associated with it.

Individual Seller Account: This is a good option for those who want to sell on Amazon without committing to a monthly fee. With an Individual account, you do not pay a monthly subscription fee. Instead, Amazon charges you a per-item fee of $0.99 for each item sold. This account type is ideal for those who sell fewer than 40 items per month. You can still access Amazon’s vast marketplace and list your products, but you won't have access to some advanced selling tools and features that are available to Professional sellers.

Professional Seller Account: If you plan to sell more than 40 items per month or want to access additional selling features, the Professional Seller account is the better option. This account comes with a monthly subscription fee of $39.99, regardless of how many items you sell. The Professional account offers several advantages, including access to advanced selling tools, eligibility for the Buy Box, and the ability to create and manage bulk listings. This account is also necessary if you wish to use Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service, which allows you to store your products in Amazon's warehouses and have them shipped directly to customers.

Comparison Table:

Feature	Individual Account	Professional Account
Monthly Subscription Fee	$0	$39.99
Per-item Fee	$0.99	None
Access to Advanced Tools	No	Yes
Ability to Create Bulk Listings	No	Yes
Eligibility for Buy Box	No	Yes
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)	No	Yes

Additional Costs: Regardless of the account type, sellers should be aware of other costs associated with selling on Amazon. These include:

• Referral Fees: Amazon charges a referral fee on each sale, which is a percentage of the item’s total price. The percentage varies depending on the category of the product, typically ranging from 6% to 45%.
• Fulfillment Fees: If you use Amazon’s FBA service, you’ll incur additional fees for storage and order fulfillment. The fees depend on the size and weight of your products.
• Advertising Costs: To boost visibility and sales, many sellers invest in Amazon’s advertising services, such as Sponsored Products. These costs vary based on your advertising budget and competition.

In summary, you do not have to pay a monthly fee to sell on Amazon if you choose the Individual account. However, if you plan to sell more than 40 items a month or want to take advantage of advanced features, a Professional account with a monthly fee of $39.99 may be more beneficial. Consider your selling goals and volume to determine which account type best suits your needs.