How much do Shopee and TikTok Shop really take from every sale?
Sales are up, but the money in your account doesn’t seem to grow. Many sellers feel this, and the reason is simple: every order loses several layers of fees before the money reaches you. Let’s work out exactly what’s left from an RM100 sale.
In 2026, a typical Shopee seller in a service programme pays about 20% per order (commission, service fee and transaction fee) plus around RM0.54. On TikTok Shop, it’s similar depending on the category. That’s before ads, vouchers and affiliate commissions. Marketplaces are great for finding new customers, but for repeat customers, your own website can save thousands of ringgit a year.
Shopee fees in 2026
Shopee raised its commission rates in February 2026. According to Inseller’s 2026 breakdown of Shopee Malaysia fees (July 2026), a typical seller pays:
| Fee | Approximate rate (incl. SST) |
|---|---|
| Commission | ~10.26% (varies by category) |
| Service / programme fee (e.g. Free Shipping or Cashback) | ~5.94% |
| Transaction fee | ~3.78% (~4.86% for SPayLater) |
| Platform support fee | ~RM0.54 per order |
Eligible new sellers usually get a commission waiver for an initial period. Actual rates change by category, programme and campaign, so always check your Seller Centre.
TikTok Shop fees in 2026
According to TikTok Shop Seller University, TikTok Shop Malaysia’s fees are:
| Fee | Rate (incl. SST) |
|---|---|
| Commission | By category and seller type, e.g. 7.02% for musical instruments and 11.34% for makeup (marketplace sellers in the bonus programme) |
| Transaction fee | 3.78% |
| Bonus programme fee (if you join) | 4.86% |
| Platform support fee | ~RM0.50 per order |
From RM100, what’s left?
A simple example for one RM100 order on Shopee, using the typical rates above:
| Shopee | Your own website (Stripe) | |
|---|---|---|
| Order value | RM100.00 | RM100.00 |
| Commission | −RM10.26 | – |
| Service fee | −RM5.94 | – |
| Transaction / payment gateway fee | −RM3.78 | −RM4.00 (3% + RM1) |
| Platform support fee | −RM0.54 | – |
| Left before cost of goods | RM79.48 | RM96.00 |
The payment gateway figure is Stripe Malaysia’s standard rate for local cards and FPX. Other local payment gateways have different rates.
An RM16 difference per order looks small. But at 300 orders a month, that’s almost RM5,000 a month going to the platform.
Costs sellers forget
- In-platform ads (Shopee Ads, GMV Max) to stay visible in search.
- Vouchers and campaign discounts for 9.9, 11.11 and 12.12 that you pay for yourself.
- Affiliate commissions for creators who promote your products.
- Returns and disputes, including return shipping.
Add it all up, and the share of each sale that goes to the platform and marketing can be well above 20%. That’s why sales go up while profit feels thinner.
The bigger problem: the customers aren’t yours
Fees are only half the story. On a marketplace:
- You don’t own the customer data. A customer who has bought from you five times is still a “Shopee customer”, not yours.
- Competitors appear right next to your products, sometimes cheaper.
- Rules and fees can change at any time. The February 2026 commission increase is an example.
- Your account can be suspended, and all your sales stop overnight.
When your own website pays off
We don’t recommend leaving the marketplaces. They’re good for new customers. But your own website makes sense when:
- You have repeat customers who buy again and again.
- Many customers find you through your own Instagram, TikTok or WhatsApp, not through Shopee search.
- You sell in bulk or to resellers and companies.
- You want to build a brand, not just be another shop in a list.
Example: if 100 orders a month worth RM100 each move to your own website, you save about RM16 per order, or RM1,600 a month. An e-commerce website from RM2,500 could pay for itself in about two months. This is only an example; your own website also needs effort to bring visitors, through social media, Google and your existing customers.
A warning: most marketplaces prohibit sellers from directing buyers off the platform through chat, listings or parcels. Don’t risk a suspension. Build your own channels separately, through social media, Google and customers who contact you directly.
Not sure where to start? Our website cost guide breaks down typical prices.
Want us to do the maths for your business?
WhatsApp us your monthly orders and average order value. We’ll work out what you pay the platforms, and tell you honestly whether your own e-commerce website (from RM2,500) makes sense for you.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage does Shopee take from each sale?
For a typical seller in a service programme, roughly 20% of the order value: about 10% commission, about 6% service fee and about 3.8% transaction fee, plus around RM0.54 per order. Actual rates depend on your product category and programmes, so check your Seller Centre.
What are TikTok Shop’s fees in Malaysia?
TikTok Shop commission varies by product category and seller type. On top of commission there is a 3.78% transaction fee, a 4.86% programme fee if you join the bonus programme, and a platform support fee of around RM0.50 per order.
Should I leave Shopee and TikTok Shop?
No. Marketplaces are good for finding new customers. We recommend adding your own website for repeat customers and for people who find you through social media or Google, so not every sale loses 15 to 20%.
Can I ask Shopee buyers to order from my website instead?
Be careful. Most marketplaces prohibit sellers from directing buyers off the platform through chat, listings or parcels, and accounts can be penalised. Build your own channels through social media, Google and customers who contact you directly.
How much does my own online store cost?
At Shiok Digital, e-commerce websites start from RM2,500. Ongoing costs are usually hosting, the domain and payment gateway fees; for example, Stripe Malaysia charges 3% + RM1 for local cards and FPX.