gmvforgeTikTok Shop vs Amazon Fees 2026: US and Germany Compared
By GMV Forge Team · Updated October 30, 2026 · All guidesShort answer: per sale, TikTok Shop takes less than Amazon. In the US it is 6–8% on TikTok Shop against 15% on Amazon for most categories; in Germany 9% against typically 15% on Amazon.de. TikTok Shop has no monthly plan. The catch: sales through creators add a commission you choose, often 10–20%.
United States
| Fee | TikTok Shop (US) | Amazon (US) |
|---|---|---|
| Referral fee, most categories | 6%; 8% reported since Aug 4, 2026 (jewelry 5%) | 15% (min. $0.30 per item); electronics 8% |
| Monthly plan | None | $39.99 (Professional) |
| Payment processing | Included in the referral fee | Included |
| Creator / affiliate commission | You set it, often 10–20%, only on creator sales | Optional (Amazon Influencer program paid by Amazon) |
| Fulfilment | Own shipping or Fulfilled by TikTok | Own shipping or FBA |
Germany
| Fee | TikTok Shop (DE) | Amazon.de |
|---|---|---|
| Referral fee, most categories | 9% since Jan 8, 2026 (electronics 7%) | Typically 15%; some categories 7–12% |
| New-seller discount | 4% for the first 60 days if conditions are met | None |
| Monthly plan | None | €39 excl. VAT (Professional) |
| Creator / affiliate commission | You set it, often 10–20%, only on creator sales | – |
| VAT | Prices shown incl. VAT; fee on the price paid | Prices incl. VAT |
Worked example: one $30 / €30 order
Platform fees only, most common category, before shipping, fulfilment, ads and product cost.
| Order | TikTok Shop, own video | TikTok Shop, via creator (15%) | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| US, $30 | $2.40 (8%) | $6.90 (8% + 15%) | $4.50 (15%) + share of $39.99/month |
| Germany, €30 | €2.70 (9%) | €7.20 (9% + 15%) | €4.50 (15%) + share of €39/month |
So TikTok Shop is cheapest when your own videos sell. Creator sales cost more per order, but they bring buyers you would not reach otherwise. Set creator commission per product based on margin. Run your own numbers in our US TikTok Shop fees calculator or the Germany fee calculator.
What this comparison leaves out
- Fulfilment: FBA and Fulfilled by TikTok charge per unit by size and weight.
- Ads: GMV Max on TikTok and PPC on Amazon are usually the biggest variable cost.
- Returns and refunds: refund fee rules differ by platform and change often; check the current rules in each seller center.
- Taxes: VAT and sales tax handling differ by country.
Which should you sell on?
Many brands run both. Amazon captures people who search for a product; TikTok Shop creates demand with video and creators. If your product can be shown working in a few seconds and has room for a creator commission, TikTok Shop is worth testing. See TikTok Shop vs your own online store and our agency pricing if you want help.
FAQ
Is TikTok Shop cheaper than Amazon for sellers?
On referral fees, usually yes. In the US TikTok Shop charges 6% to 8% per sale (8% reported for most categories since August 2026) against 15% on Amazon for most categories. In Germany it is 9% on TikTok Shop against typically 15% on Amazon.de. TikTok Shop sales through creators add a commission you set yourself, often 10% to 20%.
Does TikTok Shop have a monthly fee like Amazon?
No. TikTok Shop has no monthly seller plan. Amazon's Professional plan costs $39.99 a month in the US and €39 a month (excl. VAT) in Germany.
Which costs are not in this comparison?
Fulfilment (Amazon FBA or Fulfilled by TikTok), shipping, returns, ads such as GMV Max or Amazon PPC, and taxes. These depend on your product and setup, so they are left out of the per-order example.
Where can I check the exact fee for my category?
In TikTok Shop Seller Center and in Amazon Seller Central. Both platforms change fees regularly, and some categories have lower or tiered rates.
Fees change often and vary by category; verify in TikTok Shop Seller Center and Amazon Seller Central. Sources: Delzonic: TikTok Shop US fee increase 2026 · Onlinehändler News: 9% in Germany · Amazon.de seller pricing · Amazon referral fee rates by category.