Selling on Otto.de, one of Germany’s largest online marketplaces, involves a clear fee structure that sellers need to understand to accurately calculate their potential profits. Here’s a breakdown of the costs associated with selling on Otto.de:
Monthly Basic Fee for Sellers
Yes, there is a monthly basic fee for sellers on Otto.de, also known as OTTO Market. This fee is €99.90 per month. It’s important to note that this fee is charged regardless of the number of products you offer or your sales volume, and it becomes due after your contract is concluded and you are technically able to sell on the platform. This fee saw a significant increase from previous amounts (e.g., €39.90) in mid-2024, reflecting Otto’s efforts to maintain product quality on its marketplace.
Commission Rates and Determination
Commission rates on Otto.de are determined based on the product category. These rates are a percentage of the final selling price. Otto.de aims for a transparent fee model, and while typical percentages generally range from 7% to 22%, they can vary. Some categories may even have differentiated commission rates depending on the sales price.
It’s crucial to consult the official Otto.de “Assortment Overview” for the most up-to-date and precise figures, as these rates have been subject to changes and further differentiations (e.g., tiered commissions based on sales price within a category) as of late 2024 and early 2025.
Here’s a general overview of typical commission percentages per product category, keeping in mind that these are approximate and subject to the official Otto.de documentation:
- Electronics: Often among the lowest, around 7-8%.
- Home Appliances (Small & Major): Can range from 9% to 15%, sometimes with tiered rates based on the sales price (e.g., 9% on sales price up to €600, 7% on sales price above €600 for Major Domestic Appliances).
- Fashion & Lifestyle (e.g., Clothing, Accessories, Shoes): Typically in the range of 14-17%, with some categories like Jewelry being higher, potentially up to 22% (e.g., 22% on sales price up to €100, 20% above €100 up to €200, 18% above €200 for Jewelry). Tiered rates based on sales price are common in these categories (e.g., for textiles).
- Furniture & Living (e.g., Furniture, Lamps, Home Décor): Generally around 13-20%, also potentially with tiered pricing.
- Garden & DIY (e.g., Hardware store, Garden, Pet Supplies): Often around 8-15%.
- Sports & Leisure (e.g., Baby Accessories, Sports Equipment, Bicycles): Can vary widely, from 8% to 20%, especially for higher-value items like e-bikes, where commissions can be significantly tiered (e.g., 20% on sales price up to €1,000, 17% above €1,000 up to €1,400, 8% above €1,400).
The commission typically includes a payment processing fee. For instance, the commission often includes a 2.7% payment fee.
Additional Fees
Otto.de handles payment processing through its subsidiary, OTTO Payments. This means that sellers generally do not incur separate, explicit payment processing fees from external providers. The payment fee is typically integrated into the overall commission rate.
As of the available information, there are no specific additional fees for selling large quantities of products or for media products beyond their respective category commission rates. Otto.de emphasizes a streamlined process where they manage the payment side, simplifying the financial aspects for sellers.
However, sellers are responsible for their own shipping costs and managing returns from a German warehouse.
Commission on Shipping Costs
Yes, commission is also charged on shipping costs. The commission is based on the gross sales price, which includes both the product price (including VAT) and the shipping costs (including VAT). This means that if you charge customers for shipping, Otto.de will also apply their commission percentage to that shipping fee.
In summary, sellers on Otto.de face two primary costs: a fixed monthly basic fee of €99.90 and a variable commission rate per product sold, which depends on the product category and applies to both the product price and any shipping costs charged to the customer. While these fees are important considerations, Otto.de’s managed payment system and large customer base in Germany can offer significant advantages for businesses looking to expand their reach in the German e-commerce market.