When selling on eBay, understanding how much commission eBay takes is essential to setting profitable prices. Many new sellers are surprised by how much gets deducted from their final sale once fees and transaction costs are factored in.
Quick Answer:
The eBay commission rate (final value fee) is typically 12.9%–15% of the total sale amount, plus a $0.30 transaction fee. Some categories are slightly lower or higher, and store subscribers often pay discounted rates.
Frequently Asked Questions About eBay Commission Rate
1. What is the eBay commission rate?
eBay’s commission rate is the percentage eBay takes from your final sale price as a fee for using the platform.
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💰 Standard rate: 12.9%–15% depending on category
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🪙 Plus $0.30 transaction fee per order
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🏪 Discounted rates available for eBay Store subscribers
Example:
If you sell an item for $100 + $10 shipping = $110 total.
→ 13.25% fee = $14.58
→ + $0.30 transaction fee
→ Total = $14.88
→ Net payout = $95.12
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2. How does eBay calculate its commission?
eBay’s commission is calculated on the total amount of the sale, which includes:
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The item price
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Shipping cost
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Sales tax (in most states)
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Any handling charges
Formula:
✅ Example for a $250 sale at 13.25%:
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$250 × 13.25% = $33.13
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$0.30 = $33.43
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Net payout: $216.57
3. Does eBay charge listing fees in addition to commission?
For most sellers, listing on eBay is free for up to 250 listings per month.
After that:
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📝 Insertion fee = $0.35 per listing (non-store account)
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🏪 Store subscribers often have higher free listing allowances
Additional optional upgrades, like bold titles or subtitles, can increase costs but aren’t required.
👉 Learn more about insertion fees in the eBay Final Sale Fee Guide
4. What categories have different commission rates?
eBay adjusts commission percentages based on category:
| Category | Commission Rate | 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, Music, Media | 14.55% | $0.30 | ~14.8% |
| Collectibles & Memorabilia | 13.25% | $0.30 | ~13.5% |
| Motors | Varies | $0.30 | Depends |
💡 If you have an eBay Store, you may pay 0.5%–1.5% less in most categories.
5. How does eBay commission compare to other marketplaces?
| Platform | Commission Rate | Payment Fee | Total Fee | $100 Sale | Net Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eBay | 12.9%–15% + $0.30 | Included | ~13%–15% | $85–87 | $85–$87 |
| Poshmark | 20% flat (or $2.95 under $15) | Included | 20% | $80 | $80 |
| Mercari | 10% + 2.9% + $0.30 | Separate | ~13% | $86.80 | $86.80 |
| Grailed | 9% + 2.9% + $0.30 | Separate | ~12% | $88 | $88 |
| OfferUp | 12.9% | Included | 12.9% | $87.10 | $87.10 |
✅ Poshmark has the highest fee, while Grailed tends to be the lowest for sellers.
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6. Are there any hidden or additional eBay fees?
In addition to the commission rate, you may encounter:
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📢 Promoted Listings Fee — optional advertising, you choose % rate
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🧾 Insertion Fees — after 250 free listings per month
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💳 International selling fees — for cross-border transactions
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🏪 Store subscription — optional, but lowers commission rate
These fees are optional or situation-based and can be managed strategically.
7. Can I lower my eBay commission rate?
Yes. There are several ways to effectively reduce your fee burden:
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📦 Subscribe to an eBay Store to access lower category rates.
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🪙 Bundle listings or sell in higher value categories.
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⚡ Promote selectively, not on every listing.
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🚀 Crosslist to other platforms like Mercari or Grailed.
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🧮 Price smartly by building fees into the list price.
8. What about Mercari buyer protection fee? (Keyword: mercari buyer protection fee)
Mercari doesn’t charge sellers for buyer protection directly — but buyers can opt in for a protection fee (5% or $2.99 minimum).
This doesn’t affect your seller payout, but it can affect buyer conversion rates, since total checkout price is higher.
eBay does not charge a buyer protection fee, which can make some listings more attractive for buyers.
9. How do Poshmark seller fees compare? (Keyword: poshmark sellers fees)
Poshmark charges:
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Flat 20% fee on sales $15 and above
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Flat $2.95 fee on sales under $15
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No additional transaction or listing fees
This makes Poshmark simple but expensive, especially for high-ticket items.
10. How can I automate fee calculations across platforms?
Manually tracking multiple marketplace fee structures can be time-consuming.
Closo automates:
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🧮 Real-time fee calculation
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🚀 Price adjustments across marketplaces
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📊 Net profit projections
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📚 Related Reads
Final Thoughts
eBay’s percentage-based fee structure is competitive in the resale space, offering flexibility and a massive buyer base.
- 12.9%–15% fee range + $0.30 transaction fee.
- Category-based pricing means strategic pricing matters.
- Store subscribers benefit from lower fees.
- Crosslisting to other platforms can balance margins.
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