AliExpress Fee Calculator - Commission, Profit & ROI for Sellers
Calculate AliExpress seller fees, commissions by category, net profit, ROI, and break-even point. Full cost breakdown for informed pricing.
About
AliExpress charges sellers a category-based commission rate r ranging from 5% to 8% on the confirmed order amount, plus a payment processing fee of approximately 2% to 3%. Miscalculating these layered deductions leads to chronic underpricing. A product listed at $25 with a 8% commission and 2.5% processing fee loses $2.63 in platform fees alone before accounting for product cost, shipping, or advertising. This calculator computes exact net profit P, return on investment, profit margin, and the number of units required to break even against fixed costs.
The model assumes the seller bears shipping to buyer. Commission is applied to the sale price inclusive of shipping (AliExpress standard since 2023). Advertising spend is treated as a per-unit variable cost. Results approximate real settlements. Actual payouts vary by payment cycle, currency conversion spreads, and promotional discount absorption rules. Pro tip: factor in a 1% to 2% buffer for currency conversion losses if your settlement currency differs from USD.
Formulas
The net profit per unit is derived by subtracting all cost components from the sale price:
Where P = net profit per unit, S = sale price (including shipping charged to buyer), C = product cost (sourcing/manufacturing), H = shipping cost borne by seller, r = AliExpress category commission rate (%), f = payment processing fee rate (%), and A = advertising cost per unit.
Profit margin percentage:
Return on investment:
Break-even units against a fixed cost F (e.g., monthly advertising budget, store subscription):
Where B is rounded up to the nearest whole unit since partial units cannot be sold.
Reference Data
| Category | Commission Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Phones & Accessories | 5% | Includes cases, chargers, screen protectors |
| Consumer Electronics | 5% | Headphones, speakers, smart devices |
| Computer & Office | 5% | Peripherals, components, networking |
| Home Improvement | 5% | Tools, hardware, plumbing |
| Home & Garden | 5% | Kitchen, decor, storage |
| Toys & Hobbies | 5% | RC, building blocks, collectibles |
| Sports & Entertainment | 5% | Fitness, camping, cycling |
| Automobiles & Motorcycles | 5% | Parts, accessories, tools |
| Lights & Lighting | 5% | LED, indoor/outdoor lighting |
| Security & Protection | 5% | Surveillance, alarms, locks |
| Women's Clothing | 8% | Dresses, tops, outerwear |
| Men's Clothing | 8% | Shirts, pants, suits |
| Women's Shoes | 8% | All footwear categories |
| Men's Shoes | 8% | All footwear categories |
| Bags & Luggage | 8% | Backpacks, handbags, wallets |
| Jewelry & Accessories | 8% | Necklaces, rings, watches |
| Watches | 8% | Smart watches, luxury, sport |
| Underwear & Sleepwear | 8% | Lingerie, pajamas, loungewear |
| Beauty & Health | 8% | Makeup, skincare, haircare |
| Hair Extensions & Wigs | 8% | Synthetic and human hair |
| Mother & Kids | 5% | Baby clothing, maternity |
| Pet Products | 5% | Food, accessories, grooming |
| Wedding & Events | 8% | Decorations, dresses, party supplies |
| Furniture | 5% | Tables, chairs, shelving |
| Office & School Supplies | 5% | Stationery, organizers |