Shopee Commission Fee Increases: How Sellers Can Respond and Unlock New Growth with Duoke AI Customer Service

Shopee has recently raised its commission rates across multiple sites, putting more cost pressure on cross-border sellers. Starting in 2025, key markets like Singapore and Malaysia will see significant fee increases. In this situation, how can sellers maintain profit? Is there a new growth opportunity?

This article will explore the reasons behind the commission changes and share how DDuoke AI customer service tools can help sellers reduce costs and boost sales.

Shopee's Commission  Fee Increases

In Malaysia, Shopee announced that the commission rate for cross-border standard shipping will rise from 16.2% to 18.36%. For orders fulfilled through third-party logistics (3PL), the commission rate including VAT could increase by up to 5%.





Meanwhile, in Singapore, Shopee announced that from May 12, 2025 (SGT), the commission for cross-border standard and 3PL orders will be raised to a flat 14%. In comparison, local FBS (Fulfilled by Shopee) sellers only pay a commission of 4.36%, showing a huge gap.



How Is Shopee Commission  Fee Calculated?

Understanding how Shopee calculates commissions can help sellers manage their real costs. The commission is charged based on the price after seller-sponsored discounts:




	

	
"Seller Discount" refers to price reductions set by the seller.
	
	

	
"Seller Vouchers" are all discounts funded by the seller.
	
	

	
Shopee also offers a grace period: new sellers pay no commission for the first 120 days. Charges begin from day 121.
	




This  Shopee Commission change is more than just a price hike. It reflects Shopee's long-term strategy to support local sellers.

 

Cross-border vs. Local Sellers: Big Differences


	

	
Local sellers in Singapore pay only 4.36% in commission, while cross-border sellers pay 14–18%, and total costs (including tax, shipping, platform fees) can exceed 20%.
	
	

	
Cross-border sellers face disadvantages in multiple areas:
	



	

	
Search algorithm favors local stores: Shopee gives more traffic to local sellers. Even with the same products, cross-border sellers get less visibility.
	
	

	
More category limits: Due to import laws and logistics, some product categories are restricted for cross-border sellers.
	
	

	
Slower delivery, higher return rate: Local sellers use local warehouses for fast shipping and low costs, while cross-border shipping takes longer and increases return risk.
	
	

	
Faster payout for local sellers: Local sellers enjoy shorter payment cycles and more government support in Southeast Asia.
	


This clearly shows that Shopee is pushing sellers to localize operations for better performance.





What Can Sellers Do? Focus on Efficiency and Conversion

With higher commision fees and rising local competition, sellers must rethink how they run their businesses:

1. Optimize operations to reduce costs


	

	
Focus on high-margin products
	
	

	
Cut low-return ads and improve ROI
	


2. Improve service to reduce order abandonment


	

	
Follow up with unpaid orders
	
	

	
Respond faster to customers to build trust
	


3. Use Duoke AI Customer Service to save time and boost conversion

Duoke's global AI system helps sellers reduce manual work, cut costs, and improve buyer satisfaction.





 

 Duoke AI Customer Service: The Smart Tool for Cross-Border Sellers 

Duoke is a next-generation AI customer service system that helps e-commerce sellers work smarter and grow faster:

✅ One Platform for All Messages

Connects to Shopee, Lazada, TikTok, Mercado, and more. Easily manage chats, orders, and support requests in Duoke.

✅ Auto Payment and Shipping Reminders

Send smart messages based on buyer behavior to recover abandoned orders and improve conversion.

✅ Multilingual Support

Covers major Southeast Asian languages: Chinese, English, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Portuguese — perfect for local communication.

✅ AI Emotion Detection and Satisfaction Tracking

AI Chatbots can detect buyer emotions and alert staff to unhappy customers, helping reduce complaints and returns.

✅ Data Reports for Better Decisions

Track key service metrics like response time, satisfaction rate, and after-sales conversions. Use the data to optimize your strategy.



Real Seller Case

One seller focused on Malaysia saw big results after using Duoke:


	

	
Reduced customer service staff by 50%
	
	

	
Auto follow-up conversion rate increased by 22%
	
	

	
Customer satisfaction score improved by over 30%
	


This helped the seller balance out rising commision fees and grow sales through better service and automation.

 

Conclusion: Turn Challenge Into Opportunity

Shopee's new commission policy shows a clear shift: from low-barrier access to quality-first growth. Whether you're a local or cross-border seller, the key is to adapt quickly and use smart tools to stay competitive.



Focus on:


	

	
Improving customer experience
	
	

	
Monitoring store data
	
	

	
Adjusting your strategy in time
	






Let smart systems like Duoke help you handle more work with fewer people, and turn "high commissions" into an opportunity for smart transformation and long-term success.