Selling on a marketplace gives a small business customers it could never reach alone, in exchange for fees and some loss of control over pricing and presentation. South Africa’s main marketplaces charge in different ways, and the cheapest one on paper is not always the cheapest once fulfilment and commission are added. This comparison sets out how Takealot, Amazon, Makro and Bob Shop charge sellers and which kind of business each suits.
The four marketplaces side by side
| Marketplace | Monthly fee | Commission | Fulfilment | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Takealot | R400 a month, excluding VAT | Category-based success fee on each sale | Stock held in Takealot warehouses, with fees by size and weight | Established sellers with steady volume |
| Amazon | Individual plan: none. Professional plan: promotional R1 a month until 31 March 2027, normally R400 | Category-based referral fee, with a flat 5% on Fulfilment by Amazon items until 31 March 2027 | Ship yourself or use Fulfilment by Amazon | Sellers testing products, and brands wanting reach |
| Makro | R230 a month including VAT, for sellers with at least one active listing | Category-based commission on each unit sold | Ship yourself or send stock to Makro. First-mile delivery to Makro is free until further notice | Household, appliance and bulk goods sellers |
| Bob Shop | None | Category-based success fee on each sale, capped per item | You ship to the buyer | Small sellers, second-hand and collectable goods |
Fees change and promotions end, so confirm the current schedule with each marketplace before you price your products.
Takealot
Takealot is South Africa’s largest online retailer and the marketplace most local shoppers start from. Sellers pay a fixed monthly subscription and a success fee that varies by category, calculated on the selling price. Stock is usually held in Takealot’s distribution centres, which means fast delivery for customers and fulfilment fees for you, with storage fees charged on stock that exceeds a set number of days of cover. Applications are reviewed before you can list. Our guide on how to sell on Takealot covers the application and fees in detail.
Amazon South Africa
Amazon’s local marketplace suits sellers who want to start small, because the Individual plan has no monthly fee and charges per item sold instead. The Professional plan unlocks advertising and bulk tools, and is currently heavily discounted under a promotion. Sellers can ship orders themselves or use Fulfilment by Amazon. Our step-by-step guide on how to register as an Amazon seller walks through the sign-up.
Makro Marketplace
Makro’s marketplace carries the lowest fixed monthly fee of the subscription-based options, charged only while you have an active listing. Commission is set by category, and a final-mile transport fee applies per unit based on volume and weight. Makro has also waived first-mile fees until further notice and storage fees for the rest of 2026, according to its seller fee guide.
Bob Shop
Bob Shop, formerly bidorbuy, has no monthly fee and is free to list in most categories. You pay a success fee only when an item sells, which makes it the lowest-risk option for occasional sellers, second-hand goods and collectables. Because you ship directly to the buyer, you carry the delivery work and the customer service.
How to choose
- Testing whether a product sells: a marketplace without a monthly fee, such as Amazon’s Individual plan or Bob Shop.
- Steady volume of new stock: Takealot or Makro, where warehouse fulfilment brings faster delivery and better visibility.
- Bulky household goods: Makro, whose customers already buy in that category.
- Second-hand or one-off items: Bob Shop.
Before committing, add up every fee on your best-selling product: monthly fee spread across expected sales, commission, fulfilment and delivery, plus VAT. If the margin that remains is thin, the marketplace is a marketing channel, not a profit centre, which can still be worth it.
Frequently asked questions
Which marketplace is cheapest to start on?
Bob Shop and Amazon’s Individual plan have no monthly fee, so you only pay when you sell.
Can I sell on more than one marketplace?
Yes. Many sellers list on several. Keep stock levels synchronised so you do not sell the same item twice.
Do I need to be VAT registered?
Not always to register, but marketplaces ask for your VAT status, and your pricing must account for VAT if you are registered.
What is the difference between a success fee and a referral fee?
They are different names for the same idea: a percentage of each sale taken by the marketplace.
Should I use marketplace fulfilment?
It speeds up delivery and often improves visibility, but adds fees. Compare it against shipping yourself on your real order volumes.
