TikTok Shop fees worked example: a $29.99 sale

Sell a product for $29.99 with a 10% creator affiliate attached. The 6% referral fee ($1.80) plus the affiliate cut ($3.00) total $4.80 — 16% of the price before your costs. After $9 product cost and $4.50 shipping, you keep $11.69 — a 39.0% margin.

The breakdown

Sale price: $29.99
Referral fee (6%): $1.80
Creator affiliate (10%): $3.00
Total platform cut: $4.80 (16.0%)
Your shipping cost: $4.50
Product cost: $9.00
You keep: $29.99 − $4.80 − $4.50 − $9 = $11.69

Without the affiliate, you'd keep $14.69 — the creator's 10% costs you $3.00 a unit. Price for your planned affiliate rate, not zero. Model yours in the TikTok Shop fee calculator.

Open TikTok Shop fee calculator

Frequently asked questions

What does TikTok Shop take on a $29.99 sale?

About $1.80 referral (6%) plus whatever affiliate commission you agreed — $3.00 at 10%. Total $4.80 before your costs.

Do TikTok affiliates come out of my margin?

Yes — the affiliate percentage is calculated on the item price and paid from your proceeds, on top of the referral fee.

What affiliate rate should I offer?

10–20% is typical. Higher rates attract better creators but need higher prices or cheaper products to stay profitable.

Is TikTok Shop profitable for sellers?

It can be — the 6% base fee is low. Profitability usually hinges on the affiliate rate and your product margin, not the platform fee.