Amazon Handmade: How to Apply, What Counts and What It Costs

Here's the catch. The $480 per year that Amazon says you'll save isn't instant. You pay the first month's Professional fee once, and the waiver only starts after you're approved. And a product only gets the Handmade referral fee and the other benefits if you add the Handmade Classification attribute to it. Skip that and it won't show in the Handmade store at all.

Everything on this page comes from Amazon's US seller pages as of October 2026, so these are US prices and rules. UK, Canadian and Australian sellers will see local versions.

The five kinds of handmade Amazon accepts

Amazon's definition is wider than most makers expect. Products qualify if they're made in one of these five ways.

Handmade type	Example Amazon gives
Hand-altered	A premade t-shirt or mug with a graphic
Hand-designed	An original art print or stationery
Handcrafted	A hand-carved wooden bowl
Repurposed	A planter made from tyres
Upcycled	Refinished furniture

Who can sell matters too. Approved makers can, and so can collaborative groups such as cooperatives, nonprofits and charities. Amazon checks everyone through an application and audit process, so you can't simply list and hope.

Categories you can sell in

As of October 2026, Handmade covers Accessories, Artwork, Baby, Beauty and Personal Care, Clothing, Shoes and Handbags, Home, Outdoor and Home Care, Jewelry and Watches, Kitchen and Dining, Pet Supplies, Sporting Goods, Stationery and Party Supplies, and Toys and Games. If your category isn't on that list, you can't sell it in the Handmade store.

Handmade costs at a glance

Here's how Amazon's Handmade page lays out the costs, as of October 2026.

Cost	What Amazon says
Storefront	Free
Monthly Professional selling fee	Waived once you're approved, after a one-time first-month payment
Saving Amazon quotes	$480 per year
Referral fee	Fifteen percent or $0.30 per unit shipped, whichever is greater
When referral fees apply	Only when you make a sale
Which products get the Handmade terms	Only those with the Handmade Classification attribute

A quick check before you apply

• Your product fits one of the five types: hand-altered, hand-designed, handcrafted, repurposed or upcycled.
• Its category is on the Handmade list above.
• You're on a Professional plan, or you're ready to upgrade.
• You have a product ID for each item, or you're ready to request an exemption.
• Any custom pieces will be shipped by you, not by FBA.
• If you sell on Etsy, your listings are ready to transfer.

How to apply, step by step

1. Register as a Professional seller. If you're on an Individual plan, upgrade under Manage Your Services first.
2. Apply as a maker. You can check your application status in Seller Central with your email address and confirmation code.
3. List and classify your products, adding the Handmade Classification attribute to each one.
4. Create your maker profile, the page that tells customers who you are.
5. Expand internationally once you're up and running.

The Handmade Classification attribute

This is the step people miss. The attribute is what puts a product in the Handmade store and gives it the referral-fee waiver and the other Handmade benefits. When you add it, you provide a product ID or request an exemption. Without it, your item is just another listing on a Professional account.

Coming over from Etsy, and custom orders

If you already sell on Etsy, you can transfer your product details from Etsy to Handmade instead of retyping everything. That's a real time saver if you've got dozens of listings. If you're starting from scratch on Etsy instead, here's how to sell on Etsy.

Personalised products need one extra step. To offer customisation you register for Amazon Custom, and custom products have to be fulfilled by you, not through FBA. So if most of your orders are made to order, plan on packing and shipping them yourself.

Selling Handmade in other countries

Your Handmade approval carries across regions, which saves you applying again. You still need a selling account for each region and a separate maker profile for each country. Your storefront name and images fill in automatically, but the descriptive sections need translating, so budget time for that before you switch a new country on.

If you get stuck, Amazon points makers to the Handmade Hub and to the Handmade Community group in Seller Forums.

My verdict on Amazon Handmade

I'd apply if you make products in one of the listed categories and you're ready to sell on a Professional plan anyway. The storefront is free, the monthly fee goes once you're approved, and you only pay referral fees when something sells. Just don't forget the classification attribute on every product, and keep custom pieces off FBA. If you're comparing it with other places to sell what you make, my roundup of Etsy alternatives covers the options.

Frequently asked questions

Is Amazon Handmade free?

The storefront is free, and the monthly Professional fee is waived after approval following a one-time first-month payment. You pay a referral fee of fifteen percent or $0.30 per unit, whichever is greater, when you sell.

How do I apply to Amazon Handmade?

Register as a Professional seller, apply as a maker, then list and classify your products, create a maker profile and expand internationally if you want to.

What counts as handmade on Amazon?

Products that are hand-altered, hand-designed, handcrafted, repurposed or upcycled, such as an original art print or refinished furniture.

Can I move my listings from Etsy to Amazon Handmade?

Yes. Etsy sellers can transfer product details from Etsy to Handmade.

Which categories can I sell in on Amazon Handmade?

Thirteen, including Accessories, Artwork, Home, Jewelry and Watches, Pet Supplies and Toys and Games. Categories that aren't on Amazon's list can't be sold in the Handmade store.

Does Amazon Handmade approval cover other countries?

Yes, your approval extends across regions. You still need a selling account for each region and a separate maker profile for each country.

Can I use FBA for custom Handmade products?

No. Custom products need Amazon Custom registration and must be fulfilled by the seller, not FBA.