Quick Answer:
eBay charges sellers a final value fee of 13.25% to 15% on the total sale amount (including shipping), which already includes payment processing. Additional fees may apply for insertion (after free listings), promoted listings, and international sales. Sellers with a store subscription can access lower fees and other perks.
Introduction: Why eBay Selling Fees Matter
Whether you're flipping sneakers, running a thrift business, or scaling a multi-marketplace resale operation, eBay fees can make or break your profit margins.
Unlike flat-fee platforms, eBay uses a tiered fee system that varies depending on:
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The category of the item
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Whether or not you have a store subscription
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Your use of optional promotional tools
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International or domestic shipping
Even a small 2–3% difference in fees can mean thousands of dollars gained or lost annually. This FAQ guide breaks down every type of eBay selling fee, how it works, and how to minimize it effectively.
What Is the Final Value Fee on eBay?
The final value fee is the main fee sellers pay when an item sells. It’s automatically deducted from your payout.
eBay charges between 13.25% and 15%, depending on the item category and seller status. This fee includes payment processing — there are no separate PayPal fees under eBay’s Managed Payments.
| Category | Final Value Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing, Shoes & Accessories | 13.25% | First $7,500 per item; lower beyond that |
| Electronics | 12.9% | Slightly lower rate |
| Collectibles & Trading Cards | 14.35% | Includes comics, TCG, Funko, etc. |
| Jewelry & Watches | 15% | Tiered rate on high-value items |
| Home & Garden | 13.25% | Standard rate |
| Business & Industrial | 12.9% | Typically lower |
Automate this with Closo → Closo calculates eBay’s final value fee instantly, ensuring your prices include your desired profit margin.
Does eBay Charge Insertion Fees?
Yes — but only after you exceed your monthly free listing limit.
| Seller Type | Free Listings / Month | Insertion Fee After Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Non-store seller | 250 | $0.30 per listing |
| Starter Store | 250 | $0.30 per listing |
| Basic Store | 1,000 | $0.30 per listing |
| Premium Store | 10,000 | $0.30 per listing |
💡 Tip: High-volume sellers often subscribe to a store plan to avoid piling up insertion fees.
How Do Promoted Listings Fees Work?
Promoted Listings are an optional advertising tool on eBay to boost visibility.
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Ad Rate: 2%–10% (you choose)
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Charge: Only applies if the item sells through the promoted listing
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Calculation: Based on total sale amount
Example:
If you set a 5% ad rate and your item sells for $100, you’ll pay an extra $5 on top of the final value fee.
Automate this with Closo → Closo can help you set smart ad rates to boost sales without destroying your margins.
What Are the Fees for International Sales?
eBay applies a 1.65% international fee if your buyer is located outside of the U.S.
This fee is applied on top of the final value fee and covers additional processing and compliance costs.
Example:
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Item Price + Shipping: $110
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Final Value Fee (13.25%): $14.58
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International Fee (1.65%): $1.82
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Total Fees: $16.40
Net Payout: $93.60
Are There Discounts for Store Subscribers?
Yes. eBay offers multiple store subscription tiers, each with lower final value fees, more free listings, and access to advanced selling tools.
| Store Tier | Monthly Fee | Fee Benefit | Free Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $4.95 | Minimal | 250 |
| Basic | $27.95 | Lower final value fees | 1,000 |
| Premium | $74.95 | Even lower | 10,000 |
| Anchor | $349.95 | Lowest rates | 25,000+ |
🧠 Pro Tip: For sellers moving more than 100 items per month, a store subscription often pays for itself in fee savings.
eBay vs Whatnot vs Mercari Fees
Many resellers crosslist products to multiple platforms. Here’s how eBay compares:
| Platform | Base Seller Fee | Processing Fee | Total Estimated | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eBay | 13.25%–15% | Included | 13.25%–15% | Fees vary by category, promotions optional |
| Whatnot | 8% | 2.9% + $0.30 | 11–12% | Lower but mostly live-auction sales |
| Mercari | 10% | 2.9% + $0.30 | ~12–13% | Simple structure, smaller reach |
| Poshmark | 20% (flat) | Included | 20% | Easiest but most expensive |
Automate this with Closo → Closo lets you compare fees across marketplaces instantly, helping you choose the most profitable listing strategy.
Real Example: eBay Fees on a $100 Sale
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Item Price + Shipping | $110 |
| Final Value Fee (13.25%) | $14.58 |
| Promoted Listing Fee (2%) | $2.20 |
| Total Fees | $16.78 |
| Net Payout | $93.22 |
If you sell 1000 similar items, total fees would be $16,780, showing how critical it is to price strategically.
FAQ
❓ What are the fees for eBay selling?
eBay charges 13.25–15% final value fee, plus insertion, promotion, or international fees when applicable.
❓ Does eBay charge on shipping?
Yes. eBay’s final value fee is applied to the total amount the buyer pays, including shipping.
❓ Are eBay fees lower with a store subscription?
Yes. Store subscribers receive discounted fees and free listings.
❓ How do eBay fees compare to Whatnot and Mercari?
eBay’s fees are slightly higher but offer more reach and tools. Whatnot and Mercari are simpler but have less traffic.
❓ How can I reduce eBay fees?
You can lower fees with a store subscription, Top Rated Seller status, and by optimizing promotions.
Cross-Links
🏁 Final Thoughts
eBay’s selling fees may seem complex at first, but once you understand their structure, they’re highly predictable and manageable.
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For casual sellers, it’s about knowing the basics to avoid surprises.
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For serious sellers, using store subscriptions, smart promotion strategies, and automation tools can significantly reduce your fee burden.
And when combined with crosslisting tools like Closo, you can compare fees across marketplaces in real time, set profitable prices, and maximize your net earnings.
Start automating your pricing and listings with Closo to make eBay and multi-platform selling truly profitable.
Final Thoughts
Understanding eBay’s fee structure is essential for every seller — whether you’re listing a few items a month or running a full-time business.
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💰 Casual sellers should know the basics — final value fees, insertion costs, and shipping rules — to avoid unexpected deductions.
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🚀 High-volume sellers can reduce fees with store subscriptions, Top Rated Seller status, and smarter promotion strategies.
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🧠 Comparing fees across platforms like eBay, Mercari, and Whatnot can help you pick the most profitable channels for your products.
The smartest sellers don’t just pay fees — they plan around them strategically. With tools like Closo, you can automate pricing, calculate real margins instantly, and keep more of what you earn.
Start optimizing your listings and stop leaving profit on the table.
