Key takeaways
- Fee tiers are local; check each marketplace.
- Compare total landed cost, not headline rates.
- Taxes and duties vary and need expert advice.
- Build per-marketplace models from current data.
Why costs differ by marketplace
Each marketplace has its own fee schedule, carrier market, labor costs, delivery distances and regulations. A fulfillment fee in one country is therefore not comparable to another's without considering currency, product size tiers and local services.
Size and weight tiers are local
Fulfillment and shipping fees are usually based on product size and weight bands defined for each marketplace. Measurement units and tier boundaries can differ, so a product that falls in one tier in one country may fall in another elsewhere. Always check dimensions against the local tier table.
Domestic versus cross-border fulfillment
Fulfilling locally from stock held in the destination country generally gives faster delivery. Shipping cross-border from another country can be an option through certain programs but involves customs, duties and longer transit. Compare the total landed cost, delivery time and customer experience.
Taxes, duties and import costs
Customs duties and sales taxes such as VAT or GST affect landed cost and pricing. Rules vary and change, so seek specialist advice on tax registration, import responsibilities and reporting for each country.
- Import duties and customs fees
- Sales or value-added taxes
- Local registration requirements
- Currency conversion effects
FBM across borders
Merchant-fulfilled international shipping depends on carrier rates and delivery reliability. Check coverage, delivery times, tracking quality and return handling. Customers may expect domestic-like delivery speeds, so set honest promises.
Build a comparison model
Create a spreadsheet by product and marketplace with selling price, referral fee, fulfillment or shipping cost, storage, taxes and logistics. Use current fee schedules for each marketplace and update them regularly.
A worked example
A seller considers expanding a lightweight product to a new country. Using that marketplace's fee table, they find the product falls into a different size band than at home, increasing the per-unit fulfillment fee. Adjusting packaging to qualify for a lower band improves the margin before launch.
Common mistakes
Typical errors include converting fees without considering size tiers, ignoring local taxes, and assuming home-market delivery times apply elsewhere. Build the model per marketplace from local data.
Questions to answer before entering a new country
Which size tier will each product fall into locally? What fulfillment and storage fees apply? Which taxes and registrations are required? How will returns be handled? What delivery times will customers expect? Which language and compliance requirements affect the product and packaging?
A short written answer to each question for each product turns a vague idea into a go or no-go decision, and it provides the baseline to compare with actual results later.
Your next three steps
Compare countries fairly before you commit stock.
- Match each product to the local size tier in every candidate market.
- Include taxes, duties and returns in the model.
- Record the source and date of every fee figure.
Frequently asked questions
Can I compare fees across countries directly?
Only after matching size tiers, currency and services. Use each marketplace's own fee table.
Is cross-border always cheaper?
No. Local fulfillment can be faster and sometimes cheaper once duties, delivery and returns are included.
This guide is general information. Amazon's fees, policies and program rules change and vary by marketplace, so confirm current details in Seller Central and, for tax or legal questions, with a qualified adviser.