Apple (AAPL) will lower the commission fees it collects from its App Store in mainland China starting from Sunday, marking a win for Chinese app developers, following discussions with the country’s regulator.
“The commission rate for standard Apple In-App Purchase and paid app transactions will be 25%,” the iPhone maker announced. The current rate is 30%.
“The commission rate for qualifying Apple In-App Purchase transactions under the App Store Small Business Program and Mini Apps Partner Program, and for auto-renewals of Apple In-App Purchase subscriptions after the first year, will be 12%,” it added. “Currently, the rate is 15%.”
Apple (AAPL) said it is “committed to terms that remain fair and transparent to all developers, and to always offering competitive App Store rates to developers distributing apps in China that are no higher than overall rates in other markets.”
The company’s commission fees — known as the “Apple Tax” — sparked regulatory scrutiny around the world. Apple (AAPL) in 2024 reduced these fees to as low as 10% in the European Union following regulatory pressure.