How much does it cost to start selling on Amazon – costs for manufacturers in 2026
Updated: · GrowNow team
A seller account on Amazon costs €39 net a month, and Amazon charges a referral fee on every sale – 15% of the gross price in most categories. The real cost of entry, however, comes from everything around the account: FBA logistics, VAT and EPR registrations, a trademark for Brand Registry, local content, launch advertising and cash tied up in stock. A manufacturer selling through a distributor doesn’t bear most of these costs.
Fixed account costs
The Professional plan in Amazon Europe costs €39 net a month and gives access to Amazon’s European stores from a single account. The Individual plan (€0.99 per item sold) is not suitable for a manufacturer – it gives no access to advertising or full reports.
Fees on sales
- Referral fee: in most categories 15% of the gross price including delivery, in some categories, e.g. electronics, 7–8%; a minimum of €0.30 per item. From 2026, Amazon cut the rates for low-priced products, e.g. clothing up to €15 – 5%, home products up to €20 – 8%.
- FBA fees for picking and shipping each item, depending on dimensions and weight. From 2026, the lower Low-Price FBA rates cover products up to €20, and from 17 April 2026 a 1.5% fuel and logistics surcharge is added to FBA fulfilment fees.
- Storage: a monthly fee per cubic metre, higher from October to December, plus fees for long-term storage, removal and disposal of stock.
- Seasonal surcharges, e.g. an additional peak-season FBA fulfilment fee in Germany and the UK, and fees for taking part in promotions such as Prime Day.
Formal costs
| Item | What it is | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|
| VAT registration abroad | With an FBA warehouse outside Poland, e.g. in Germany | Registration has no official fees; returns – a fixed fee for an adviser |
| Packaging EPR | LUCID and a dual system in Germany, registers in other countries | Registrations usually free; fees depend on the weight of packaging |
| Electronics and batteries | WEEE and battery registrations, an authorised representative in Germany | Fees for the representative and the compliance scheme |
| Trademark | A condition for Amazon Brand Registry | An EU trademark at the EUIPO from €850 for one class |
| EAN codes | GS1 codes for every variant | An annual GS1 fee depending on the company’s revenue |
| GPSR | Technical documentation, markings, instructions in the languages of the markets | Translations and any product testing |
Launch content and advertising
A listing for each market means a title, bullet points, a description, keywords and A+ content in the local language, plus images and infographics. Automatic translation usually loses out to a listing written for local searches. A new product has no reviews or sales history, so the first weeks need a budget for Sponsored Products. Advertising is best judged by TACOS, i.e. the share of advertising in total sales, not just by ACOS.
Costs manufacturers find out about later
- Returns and goods damaged in returns.
- Removal or disposal of stock that doesn’t sell.
- Team time: tickets to Amazon, category and brand ungating, new platform requirements.
- Cash tied up in stock: freight, FBA intake and sales take weeks, and Amazon pays out in 14-day cycles, with a possible reserve.
On your own or with a distributor
| On your own (Seller) | Through GrowNow | |
|---|---|---|
| Account and platform fees | Manufacturer | GrowNow |
| VAT and EPR abroad | Manufacturer’s registrations and returns | GrowNow |
| Stock in FBA | Manufacturer pays for the goods in the warehouses | GrowNow buys the goods |
| Content and running advertising | Own team or an agency | Run by GrowNow |
| Manufacturer’s revenue | After the retail sale | B2B invoice on the order |
In the GrowNow model, the manufacturer pays no subscription or commission: you issue a B2B invoice, and settlement is the purchase price and the agreed trading terms. There is no minimum order – volumes grow with sales.
See how stock purchasing works ›
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Amazon seller account cost?
The Professional plan costs €39 net a month and covers Amazon’s European stores.
What referral fee does Amazon charge?
In most categories, 15% of the gross price including delivery. In some categories and for low-priced products the rates are lower, e.g. 5–8%.
Is a trademark necessary?
Not for selling as such, but without one you won’t get Amazon Brand Registry, i.e. brand protection, A+ content and Sponsored Brands ads. A trademark application is enough to enrol in Brand Registry.
How much should I set aside for launch advertising?
It depends on the category and the competition. A new product without reviews needs a few weeks of more intensive campaigns, and their effect is best judged by TACOS.
Does a manufacturer selling through GrowNow pay Amazon’s fees?
No. We sell on our own accounts, so the subscription, referral fees and FBA fees are on our side. The manufacturer settles with us at the purchase price.