If you’re selling on eBay for the first time—or scaling an established business—understanding eBay’s fees is crucial to pricing your products correctly and protecting profit margins. eBay’s fee structure can seem complicated at first, but it follows clear rules once broken down.
Quick Answer:
eBay charges sellers a final value fee between 12.9% and 15% of the total sale amount, plus a $0.30 transaction feeper order. Insertion (listing) fees apply only after 250 free listings per month. Optional upgrades (like promoted listings) can increase costs. Buyers usually don’t pay platform fees directly.
1. What Are the Main Types of eBay Fees?
eBay’s fee structure is built around three primary components:
| Fee Type | Description | Who Pays | When Charged |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insertion Fee | Listing cost after free monthly allowance | Seller | When listing |
| Final Value Fee | Commission on the total sale amount (item + shipping + tax) | Seller | When the item sells |
| Optional Upgrades | Extra features (bold title, promoted listings, etc.) | Seller | When added/used |
💡 Buyers don’t pay eBay fees directly, but shipping, tax, and other marketplace costs affect their total checkout price.
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2. Final Value Fees on eBay
The final value fee is the main cost for eBay sellers:
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📈 Percentage: 12.9%–15% depending on category
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💳 Fixed fee: $0.30 per order
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🧾 Applied to: item price + shipping + tax
| Category | Final Value Fee | Transaction Fee | Total Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clothing & Accessories | 13.25% | $0.30 | ~13.5% |
| Electronics | 12.9% | $0.30 | ~13.2% |
| Jewelry & Watches (Luxury) | 15% | $0.30 | ~15.3% |
| Books, DVDs & Music | 14.55% | $0.30 | ~14.8% |
| Collectibles & Memorabilia | 13.25% | $0.30 | ~13.5% |
| Motors | Varies | $0.30 | Depends |
✅ Example: Selling a $100 item with $10 shipping at 13.25%:
$110 × 13.25% = $14.58 + $0.30 = $14.88 in fees.
3. Insertion Fees
eBay allows you to list a certain number of items each month for free:
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🆓 250 free listings per month
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💰 After the limit: $0.35 per listing
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🏪 Store subscribers get higher free listing allowances
| Seller Type | Free Listings | Insertion Fee After Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Casual Seller (No Store) | 250 | $0.35 per listing |
| Basic Store | 1,000 | Lower per listing |
| Premium Store | 10,000 | Lower per listing |
💡 High-volume sellers can save thousands annually by subscribing to an eBay Store.
4. Optional Upgrade Fees
Optional listing features help increase visibility—but they also cost extra.
| Upgrade Feature | Cost | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Bold Title | $2.00 | Makes your listing stand out |
| Subtitle | $1.50 | Adds more detail to title line |
| Gallery Plus | $1.00 | Enlarged image preview |
| International Visibility | Varies | Exposure on eBay’s global sites |
| Promoted Listings | Seller-set ad rate (2%–15%) | Boosts traffic to your listing |
👉 Use upgrades strategically for high-value or competitive products.
5. Store Subscription Discounts
If you’re selling consistently, upgrading to a store can lower your fees:
| Store Plan | Free Listings | Final Value Fee Discount | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Store | 250 | — | Casual sellers |
| Basic Store | 1,000 | ~0.5% off | Growing sellers |
| Premium Store | 10,000 | ~1–1.5% off | High-volume sellers |
🚀 Pro Tip: If you list more than 300 items/month, a Basic Store often pays for itself in saved fees.
6. eBay Fees on Auction Listings
Auction listings have similar fees to Buy It Now:
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🆓 First 250 auction listings are free
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💰 $0.35 insertion fee after that
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💳 Final value fees apply at the same category rates as fixed-price listings
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⏳ Optional Buy It Now on auction costs no extra
💡 Auctions can be great for collectibles and high-demand items, but Buy It Now gives you more pricing control.
7. eBay Fees vs Whatnot Fees (Keyword: what not fees, what not selling fees)
| Platform | Commission Rate | Transaction Fee | Total Fee | $100 Sale | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eBay | 12.9%–15% + $0.30 | Included | ~13–15% | $85–87 | Broad audience, global reach |
| Whatnot | 8% + 2.9% + $0.30 | Separate | ~11% | $89 | Lower fee, niche collectibles buyers |
| Poshmark | 20% flat or $2.95 < $15 | Included | 20% | $80 | Simple but expensive for sellers |
| Mercari | 10% + 2.9% + $0.30 | Separate | ~13% | $86.80 | Transparent, no listing fee |
Whatnot charges a lower percentage, but eBay’s buyer pool is much larger.
8. How to Reduce eBay Fees as a Seller
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📦 Maximize your 250 free monthly listings
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📈 Upgrade to an eBay Store for volume discounts
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🚀 Only promote high-margin listings
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🧮 Factor fees into your pricing upfront
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🌍 Crosslist to lower-fee marketplaces like Whatnot or Mercari
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🤖 Automate fee tracking and pricing strategy with Closo
Automate your fee calculation with Closo →
📚 Related Reads
FAQ — What Are the Fees on eBay?
1. What are the main fees on eBay?
eBay charges insertion fees (after 250 free listings), final value fees (12.9%–15% + $0.30), and optional upgrade fees.
2. How much is the final value fee?
Typically between 12.9% and 15% depending on the category, plus a $0.30 transaction fee.
3. Are auction listings more expensive?
No. Auction listings have the same fee structure as Buy It Now.
4. Are there ways to lower eBay fees?
Yes—upgrade to a store, price smartly, and minimize optional upgrades.
5. How do eBay fees compare to Whatnot?
eBay’s fees are slightly higher than Whatnot’s but offer a far larger buyer base and global exposure.
Final Thoughts
eBay’s fees are straightforward once broken down:
- 12.9%–15% final value fee + $0.30 per transaction
- First 250 listings per month are free
- Auctions and Buy It Now have the same fee structure
- Store subscriptions help reduce costs for volume sellers
Automate this with Closo → to track fees, optimize pricing, and protect your profit margins across marketplaces.
