is selling coffee and tea on shopify profitable
Last updated: April 2026 ·affiliate disclosure
Yes, selling coffee and tea on Shopify is profitable—but only if you control costs. Most successful sellers in this category report net margins between 35% and 55% after all fees, shipping, and product costs. The key difference between profitable and unprofitable sellers isn't the platform; it's sourcing, pricing strategy, and customer acquisition cost. You can absolutely build a six-figure business here, but you need to know your numbers cold before you start.
Shopify Fees for coffee & tea Sellers
Shopify charges you a base subscription fee ($29–$299/month depending on your plan), plus payment processing fees of 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction if you use Shopify Payments. For a $50 coffee order, that's $1.77 in payment fees alone. You'll also pay transaction fees if you use third-party gateways (2.0% on the Basic plan). On top of that, shipping costs for heavy perishable goods like coffee eat 20–35% of your order value. Overestimate shipping or you'll lose money fast.
Profit Margin Benchmarks
Good margins: You source coffee at $6–$8/lb wholesale, sell it for $18–$22/lb, and keep 45–55% after Shopify fees, payment processing, shipping, and packaging. Average margins: You're hitting 30–40% net profit because your sourcing cost is higher or your shipping is inefficient. Poor margins: You're below 20% net profit, which means you're likely sourcing retail or struggling with customer acquisition costs. Most tea sellers see slightly better margins (40–60%) because it's lighter to ship.
Calculate your actual numbers
The margins above are averages. Your real profit depends on your specific price, costs, and volume.
Run Your Shopify Profit Calculation →Verdict: Is It Worth It?
Selling coffee and tea on Shopify is profitable if you can source directly from roasters or suppliers at wholesale prices and ship efficiently. If you're dropshipping or buying from middlemen, your margins collapse below 15%—don't bother. Your real competition isn't Shopify; it's your unit economics. Focus relentlessly on lowering your cost of goods sold and shipping costs. If you can do that, Shopify's 2.9% fee is negligible compared to the real money you'll make.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Shopify fees cost for coffee and tea sellers?
Shopify charges a monthly subscription ($29–$299), payment processing fees of 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction, and optional $20–$50/month for apps. On a $50 coffee sale, you're paying roughly $3.25 in Shopify and payment fees combined, plus packaging and shipping. For a typical 100-order month at $40 average order value, plan for $150–$200 in platform and payment fees.
What profit margins can I realistically expect selling coffee and tea on Shopify?
Realistic net margins are 35–50% for coffee, 40–60% for specialty tea, assuming you source at wholesale prices. This means on a $50 coffee sale with $8 COGS and $8 shipping, you clear $18–$22 profit after all fees. If your COGS is above $15 or shipping exceeds 30% of order value, your margins drop to 15–25%—barely worth the effort.
Is dropshipping coffee and tea profitable on Shopify?
No. Dropshipping coffee and tea typically yields 5–15% net margins because suppliers charge 40–50% markups. You also can't compete on quality or differentiation, so you'll lose customers to direct-to-consumer roasters. Skip dropshipping entirely—source directly from roasters or importers instead.
What are the biggest hidden costs for coffee and tea sellers on Shopify?
Shipping is your silent killer: coffee and tea are heavy, and domestic shipping runs $6–$12 per order. Specialty packaging (vacuum-seal, branded boxes) adds $1–$3 per unit. Customer acquisition cost through Facebook Ads averages $5–$15 per customer. If your AOV is $40 and CAC is $12, you need 45% margins just to break even on paid ads.
Tools that improve these margins
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