Quick Answer:
To sell things on Mercari, create a free account, list your item with clear photos and an accurate description, set your price, choose your shipping option, and publish the listing. Once the item sells, ship it using Mercari’s discounted label, and get paid after delivery is confirmed. Mercari charges 10% + 2.9% + $0.30 in selling fees.
Introduction: Why Selling on Mercari Is a Smart Move in 2025
Mercari has become one of the top resale platforms in the U.S., competing with OfferUp, Poshmark, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace.
It’s popular because it:
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🧾 Requires no complicated store setup,
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📦 Offers cheap shipping rates and prepaid labels,
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💵 Pays sellers quickly, and
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🧠 Is beginner-friendly yet scalable for pros.
Whether you’re decluttering your home or running a resale business, Mercari provides a low-barrier way to turn unwanted items into profit.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to sell things on Mercari, how fees and shipping work, and how to optimize your listings to stand out from competitors.
1. Create Your Mercari Account
The first step is to sign up on mercari.com or download the Mercari app.
✅ What you’ll need:
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Email or phone number
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Shipping address
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Bank account or debit card for payouts
Once your account is set up, you can immediately start listing items.
💡 Pro tip: Add a clear profile picture and short bio to build buyer trust from day one.
Automate this with Closo → Closo can help you list and manage items across Mercari and other marketplaces simultaneously.
2. Take High-Quality Product Photos
Photos are the most important part of your listing.
Clear, well-lit images increase buyer trust and listing visibility.
📸 Best practices:
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Use natural light or a ring light.
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Photograph from multiple angles.
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Show any flaws or details up close.
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Use a plain, clutter-free background.
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Add a size reference (measuring tape, tag, etc.).
📝 Example: Listings with at least 5 clear images get 2.7× more views on average.
3. Write Clear, Keyword-Rich Descriptions
Mercari’s search relies heavily on titles and keywords, so make your listing descriptive and searchable.
Example:
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❌ “Cute jacket”
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✅ “Patagonia Women’s Down Sweater Jacket — Size M, Black, Excellent Condition”
🧾 What to include:
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Brand, model, size, color
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Material and measurements
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Item condition
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Defects (if any)
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Shipping details
Avoid keyword stuffing — write naturally and clearly.
4. Price Your Item Strategically
Pricing determines whether your item sells quickly or lingers.
💡 Tips:
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Research similar sold items on Mercari.
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Price slightly higher to leave room for negotiation.
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Consider shipping weight and fees.
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Use round, attractive numbers (e.g., $29 instead of $30).
📊 Example:
If your target payout is $40:
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Listing price: $50
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Mercari fees ≈ $7.30
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Payout ≈ $42.70
Automate this with Closo →Closo calculates optimal pricing with fees and shipping included so you don’t have to guess.
5. Choose the Right Shipping Option
Mercari makes shipping simple with discounted prepaid labels.
| Weight Tier | USPS | UPS | FedEx |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–0.5 lb | $4.87 | $7.99 | $8.25 |
| 0.5–3 lb | $7.49 | $9.95 | $10.65 |
| 3–10 lb | $10.95 | $13.50 | $13.90 |
| 10–20 lb | $17.95 | $21.95 | $22.35 |
| 20–50 lb | $35.00+ | $40.00+ | $42.00+ |
📦 Shipping tips:
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Use the lightest shipping tier possible.
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Offer free shipping (and build the cost into your price).
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Always pack securely to avoid damage.
6. Understand How Much Mercari Takes From a Sale
Mercari’s fees are straightforward:
| Fee Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Selling Fee | 10% of the item price |
| Payment Processing Fee | 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction |
| Listing Fee | $0 |
Example:
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Item sells for $50
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Fees: $5.00 + $1.75 = $6.75
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Payout: $43.25
No hidden charges — but remember to factor this into your pricing strategy.
7. Publish and Promote Your Listing
Once your photos, description, price, and shipping are set, hit “List”.
To boost visibility:
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List during peak hours (evenings & weekends).
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Share your listing on social media.
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Update or refresh listings if they don’t get traction after a few days.
🧠 Mercari’s algorithm favors active sellers.
8. Communicate With Buyers and Handle Offers
Buyers may send:
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📨 Questions
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💰 Offers below your listed price
📌 Tips for communication:
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Respond quickly and politely.
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Use counters strategically (5–15% discount works well).
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Bundle or adjust pricing for serious buyers.
Automate this with Closo →Closo can help automate offer responses or price drops after a set number of days.
9. Ship the Item Promptly
Once an item sells:
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Download your prepaid label.
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Pack the item securely.
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Drop it off at the carrier location.
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Mark as shipped.
📦 Sellers have 3 business days to ship. Fast shipping boosts your rating and algorithm ranking.
📬 Tracking updates automatically, giving buyers confidence.
10. Get Paid After Delivery
Mercari releases your payment:
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✅ When the buyer rates the transaction
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🕓 Or automatically 3 days after delivery if they don’t rate.
💰 Payout methods:
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Direct deposit to your bank (free)
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Instant Pay (small fee, faster)
🧾 Pro tip: Keep your bank account connected to avoid payout delays.
11. Mercari vs OfferUp: Which Is Better for Selling?
Both platforms are popular for reselling, but they cater to different audiences.
| Feature | Mercari | OfferUp |
|---|---|---|
| Reach | Nationwide | Local (and nationwide shipping) |
| Fees | 10% + processing | 12.9% on shipped items |
| Shipping | Prepaid, discounted labels | Optional shipping |
| Buyer Protection | Strong | Moderate |
| Best For | Clothing, electronics, decor | Local furniture, electronics |
Verdict: For most online sellers, Mercari is simpler and more transparent, especially for beginners.
12. Tips to Increase Your Mercari Sales
Here are proven strategies top sellers use to grow faster:
📸 1. Optimize Listings for Search
Use strong keywords, clean photos, and clear pricing.
📦 2. Offer Fast Shipping
Buyers love quick fulfillment — aim for 1–2 days.
🪙 3. Use Offers & Coupons Strategically
Send private offers to likers to convert interest into sales.
🤝 4. Maintain a High Seller Rating
Respond quickly, ship on time, and be honest about item condition.
🔁 5. Crosslist Your Inventory
List the same items on multiple platforms using automation tools like Closo.
Automate this with Closo → You can crosslist from Mercari to eBay, Poshmark, Whatnot, and more in seconds.
FAQ
❓ How do you sell things on Mercari?
Create a free account, list your item with photos and a description, set a price, and choose a shipping method. Ship after it sells and get paid once it’s delivered.
❓ How much does Mercari take from a sale?
Mercari charges 10% selling fee plus 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing.
❓ How do I handle shipping on Mercari?
You can use Mercari’s discounted prepaid labels or ship on your own. Most sellers choose Mercari labels for convenience.
❓ How fast do I get paid?
You get paid once the buyer rates the transaction or after 3 days of confirmed delivery.
❓ Is Mercari better than OfferUp?
Mercari is better for nationwide online sales, while OfferUp is great for local selling.
Cross-Links
Final Thoughts
Selling on Mercari is one of the easiest and most profitable ways to enter the resale game in 2025.
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🛍️ You can start with zero upfront cost.
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🚀 The platform’s shipping and payout system is beginner-friendly.
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📈 With the right strategies — pricing, photos, and offers — you can turn clutter into real cash.
For power sellers and resellers, pairing Mercari with tools like Closo allows you to automate listing, pricing, and shipping, giving you more time to scale your business.
👉 Whether you’re selling one item or 1,000, Mercari can be your gateway to a profitable side hustle or full-time online store.
