How TikTok Shop's US referral fee works in 2026
TikTok Shop US charges sellers one main platform fee, the referral fee, on completed orders. TikTok says this fee covers all TikTok Shop fees except shipping and tax. Its formula is:
Referral fee = referral fee rate × (customer payment + platform discount − tax)
- Shipping counts. The fee base includes the shipping fee the customer pays.
- Sales tax doesn't. Tax is taken out of the base.
- TikTok-funded discounts are added back. If TikTok pays for a platform coupon, the fee is worked out as if the customer had paid the full price.
| Category (US) | Referral fee rate |
|---|---|
| Almost every category (beauty, fashion, home, electronics, food, toys and more) | 6% |
| Jewelry: Diamond, Gold, Jade, Platinum/Carat Gold, Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald | 5% (since 31 October 2024) |
| Other jewelry (silver, pearl, crystal, semiprecious stones and so on) | 6% |
| Pre-Owned sub-categories | 5%, and 3% on any part of the sale over $10,000 |
| Collectibles sub-categories | 6%, and 3% on any part of the sale over $10,000 |
Worked example from TikTok
A customer pays $102 including $2 of sales tax, and TikTok funds a $5 platform discount. The referral fee is 6% × ($102 + $5 − $2) = $6.30.
Refunds and the refund administration fee
If an order is refunded, returned or cancelled, TikTok refunds the referral fee but keeps a refund administration fee of 20% of the referral fee. Since 15 May 2025 it's capped at $5 per SKU in each refund. It isn't charged on "buy now refund later" creator sample orders, or when a buyer cancels before shipping and the order meets the auto-cancel rules. A $10 item at 6% has a $0.12 refund admin fee; a $500 item would be $6 but is capped at $5.
What this calculator doesn't include
- Creator commission is on top. When a creator sells for you, the affiliate commission you set is a separate cost and is often bigger than the referral fee. The commission field above is an estimate on the item price; check your settlement report for the exact amount.
- New-seller promotions, Fulfilled by TikTok fees, TikTok shipping labels, ads and samples aren't included. Your Seller Center shows the rate that applies to your own shop.
Sources (official TikTok Shop US Seller University pages, checked 29 October 2026): TikTok Shop referral fees by category (revised 8 October 2026); TikTok Shop referral fee updates and refund administration fee. US shops only.
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FAQ
How much does TikTok Shop take per sale in 2026?
In the US, TikTok Shop charges a 6% referral fee in almost every category. Five fine-jewelry sub-categories and all Pre-Owned sub-categories pay 5%. Pre-Owned and Collectibles pay 3% on any part of a sale over $10,000.
Is the TikTok Shop fee charged on shipping?
Yes. The referral fee base is customer payment plus platform discount minus tax, and it includes the shipping fee the customer pays. Sales tax is excluded.
Does a TikTok-funded discount lower my referral fee?
No. Platform discounts are added back into the base, so the fee is calculated as if the customer paid the full price.
What is the TikTok Shop refund administration fee?
When an order is refunded, TikTok refunds the referral fee minus a refund administration fee of 20% of the referral fee, capped at $5 per SKU since 15 May 2025.
Is creator affiliate commission part of the referral fee?
No. The commission you set for creators is charged separately and comes on top of TikTok's referral fee.