- The standard US referral fee is 6% on most categories, with reports of a move to 8% from August 2026 that you should verify in Seller Center.
- Smart Promotion charges 3.5% of total store GMV, 4.5% during major campaigns.
- Creator commission usually sits between 5% and 20%, with beauty and health often higher.
- FBT runs roughly $2.86 to $4.28 per unit, with returns around $3 per item.
- A realistic all-in cost of selling is 35 to 55% of revenue.
Most brands budget for the referral fee and stop there. That is how a shop can grow GMV every month and still lose money. Here is the full 2026 cost stack for a US brand. Platform rules change often, so confirm the current version in Seller Center before you act on any number here.
1. Referral fee
TikTok Shop lists a 6% referral fee on most US categories and 5% on select jewelry. Some industry sources report a move to 8% for most non-food categories from August 4, 2026, but this is not confirmed in TikTok’s public category table, so check your own settlement statements. Some reports also put selected beauty and electronics subcategories at 9.5 to 11%. Sources: FastMoss, beBOLD, LitCommerce.
2. Smart Promotion
Smart Promotion replaced co-funded promotions on March 3, 2026. It charges 3.5% of total store GMV, 4.5% during major campaigns, with no budget cap. Source: PPC Land. Read our Smart Promotion guide before your next campaign.
3. Creator commission
Most sellers set 5 to 20%, with beauty and health often higher. Caps in beauty, supplements and home were cut in June 2026, so check what your category now allows.
4. Fulfillment, returns and refunds
- FBT: roughly $2.86 to $4.28 per unit, with 60 days of free storage.
- Returns via FBT: about $3 per item.
- Refund administration fee: 20% of the original referral fee, capped at $5 per SKU.
- Return shipping on change-of-mind returns: 20% if your Shop Performance Score is 4 or higher, 50% below that.
5. Ads and samples
GMV Max spend and free samples are real costs. Count every sample at landed cost, including the ones that never become videos.
A worked $100K month
- Referral fee at 6%: $6,000 (or $8,000 at 8%)
- Creator commission at 15% on 60% affiliate GMV: $9,000
- Smart Promotion at 3.5%: $3,500 (4.5% in a campaign month: $4,500)
- Fulfillment on 4,000 orders at about $3.50: $14,000
- Samples, returns and refunds: $3,000 to $6,000
- GMV Max: whatever you spend
Before ads or product cost, that is already 35% or more of revenue. This is why we track contribution margin per SKU every week. Run your own numbers in the profit calculator, or let us check them in a free profit check.
Cash flow: settlement timing
New sellers start on a 31-day settlement period, with reserves held to cover returns. A big week can leave you short on stock while money sits in settlement, so plan cash before a promotion.
Want to know how this affects your shop specifically?
Get a free profit checkFrequently asked questions
What is the TikTok Shop referral fee in 2026?+
TikTok Shop lists 6% for most US categories. Some sources report a move to 8% for most non-food categories from August 4, 2026, which is not yet confirmed in public documentation. Check your settlement statements.
How much does TikTok Shop really take per sale?+
Once you add referral fees, creator commission, promotions, fulfillment, returns and ads, a realistic all-in cost is 35 to 55% of revenue.
How long does TikTok Shop hold payments?+
New sellers start on a 31-day settlement period, with reserves held for returns. Established sellers in good standing settle faster.
