Most companies that sell RFID tags do not quote prices, because price of rfid tags are based on volume, the amount of memory on the tag and the packaging of the tag (whether it’s encased in plastic or embedded in a label, for instance), whether the tag is active or passive and much more.

Generally speaking, active tags are $25 and up. Active tags with special protective housing, extra-long battery life or sensors can run $100 or more.

一个被动的96位EPC镶嵌(芯片和天线架ed on a substrate) costs from 7 to 15 U.S. cents. If the tag is embedded in a thermal transfer label on which companies can print a bar code, the price of rfid tags rises to 15 cents and up. Low- and high-frequency tags tend to cost a little more.

The primary advantage of passive RFID systems is that tags are very inexpensive, ranging from $0.10 to $1.50 per tag. These tags also don't require batteries, so they last for many years.

EPC global’s goal is to drive adoption of RFID technology to the point where massive numbers of tags are made each year and the cost for silicon-based tags that can store a unique serial number drops to 5 cents per tag. Costs have fallen steadily over the past few years and will decline further as adoption ramps up.