How Are Marketplace Commissions Calculated?
Marketplace commission is a percentage service fee the platform takes from each sale and is usually calculated on the sale price. The rate varies by category; since commission is not the only cost item, pricing decisions cannot be made on commission alone.
How does commission work?
Commission is a percentage depending on the category in which the product is sold and is calculated on the sale price paid by the customer. So when you raise the price, the commission amount also rises; commission is not a fixed amount.
The category difference is not trivial. Within the same store, products in two different categories can be subject to noticeably different rates. Therefore the category in which the product is listed is decisive in commission calculation.
Deductions other than commission
Looking only at commission in price calculation is incomplete. Shipping cost, payment and maturity difference, campaign participation fee, cost from returns and any service fees are also deducted from the same sale.
A practical method is to think of commission not alone but within the total deduction rate. If commission is low in a category but shipping burden is heavy, the net result can be worse.
How to do it step by step?
1. Verify the product's category
The commission rate depends on the category. A product listed in the wrong category is charged a different rate than expected.
2. Confirm the current rate from the platform
Rates are updated periodically. Base your calculation on the platform's own current seller documentation, not a third-party list.
3. Calculate the total deduction rate
Add up commission, shipping, payment cost and campaign share. Base your pricing decision on this total.
4. Add the return share
Reflect your category's return rate as a percentage in the cost; the shipping of a returned product also falls on you.
5. Calculate the break-even price
Find the price that covers your cost after all deductions. This is the lower bound of your discount decisions.
What is deducted from a sale?
| Item | Who pays it | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | Seller | Percentage varies by category |
| Shipping | Seller or buyer depending on the agreement | Calculated by volumetric weight (desi) |
| Payment and maturity difference | Seller | Depends on payment maturity |
| Campaign participation share | Seller | If you joined a campaign |
| Return cost | Seller | Round-trip shipping and loss of salability |
| Packaging | Seller | A small but constant item |
Common mistakes
1. Thinking commission is the only cost. Shipping, returns and payment costs are often comparable in size to commission.
2. Calculating with an old rate. Rates are updated periodically; calculations based on an old table are misleading.
3. Listing in the wrong category. The category determines the commission; a wrong category harms both the rate and visibility.
4. Treating free shipping as cost-free. If shipping is not collected from the customer, it comes out of the seller's side.
Limitations: what does it not cover?
Applying these with awareness lets you set realistic expectations:
Rates vary. Category commissions are updated by the platform; this page does not give a fixed rate; you need to get the current value from the platform.
Agreements differ. Seller-specific agreements, campaign commitments and service packages can change the rate.
The calculation is an estimate. Return rate and shipping desi are calculated on average; the realized amount differs per order.
Tax is a separate matter. Commission calculation does not replace your tax obligations.
Frequently asked questions
How is marketplace commission calculated?
The category's percentage rate is multiplied by the sale price paid by the customer. As the price increases, the commission amount also increases.
What does the commission rate depend on?
Mainly the product's category. Seller-specific agreements and campaign participation may also affect the rate.
What is deducted besides commission?
Items such as shipping, payment and maturity difference, campaign participation fee, return cost and packaging.
Is free shipping cost-free?
No. Shipping fees not collected from the customer come out of the seller's side and must be built into the price.
Should I set my price based on commission?
Not only on commission. The amount remaining after considering the total deduction rate and return share is the basis of your pricing decision.
Doing it with the tool
For a quick calculation, use the Trendyol commission calculator, break-even price calculator and volumetric weight calculator tools.
To see per-product net profit based on actual orders, ProfitPulse is used.
Last updated: September 10, 2026 · For current commission rates, refer to the official seller documentation of the relevant marketplace.