TikTok Shop Commission Rate Explained
'Commission' means two different things on TikTok Shop — the referral fee and the affiliate commission you choose to offer creators. Confirm your account fee detail before pricing.
By Marginory teamContent reviewed
Two different "commissions" — don't mix them up
| Term | What it is | Rate | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Referral fee | TikTok's fee modelled per sale | 5–6% calculator reference | Confirm in Seller Center |
| Affiliate commission | Payment to a creator who drove the sale via their link | 0-20%+ | The seller |
Why the confusion matters
A seller who prices for only the referral fee can be surprised by much thinner margins on affiliate-driven sales once creator commission is added. Use your confirmed category rate and a realistic affiliate-sales mix rather than a generic fee percentage.
Total fee scenarios
| Scenario | Referral fee | Separate processing rate | Affiliate commission | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No affiliates | 6% assumption | Not modeled | 0% | 6% |
| Moderate affiliate program | 6% assumption | Not modeled | 10% | 16% |
| Aggressive affiliate program | 6% assumption | Not modeled | 20% | 26% |
Pricing to survive both
Since you control the affiliate rate, the practical approach is to price your product assuming your realistic maximum affiliate commission (not zero), so your margin holds up even on your most creator-driven, highest-volume sales channel.
Worked example: $25 product at three commission levels
A $25 product using a 6% referral-fee assumption and no separate processing rate. Product cost (COGS) is $9.00:
| Affiliate commission | Referral fee (6%) | Separate processing | Affiliate payout | Product cost | Net profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0% (direct/organic sale) | $1.50 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $9.00 | $14.50 |
| 10% (typical affiliate) | $1.50 | $0.00 | $2.50 | $9.00 | $12.00 |
| 20% (aggressive affiliate) | $1.50 | $0.00 | $5.00 | $9.00 | $9.50 |
The example uses a 6% referral-fee assumption and no separate processing rate. Net profit falls by the affiliate payout, so model your confirmed category rate and realistic creator commission before setting a price.