If you’re planning to list items on eBay—or already selling—understanding exactly what percentage eBay takes per sale is essential. Many sellers set prices based on item value alone, forgetting that platform fees can cut into margins significantly.
Quick Answer:
The percentage of eBay fees typically ranges from 12.9% to 15%, depending on the product category. eBay also charges a $0.30 transaction fee per order, and additional optional fees (e.g., promoted listings). Store subscribers often pay slightly lower percentages.
Why You Need to Know the Percentage of eBay Fees
eBay’s fee structure is not flat like Poshmark’s or Depop’s. Instead, it varies by category and seller type, which means:
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🧮 Your profit depends on understanding your exact fee percentage.
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📊 Category differences can affect pricing strategy.
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🚀 Knowing your numbers helps you scale more confidently.
What Is the eBay Fee Percentage?
eBay’s main selling fee is called the Final Value Fee. This is:
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A percentage of the total sale amount (item price + shipping + tax).
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Between 12.9% and 15% for most sellers.
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Reduced for eBay Store subscribers.
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Plus a $0.30 per-order transaction fee.
| Fee Component | Amount | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Final value fee | 12.9%–15% | Item price + shipping + tax |
| Transaction fee | $0.30 | Per order |
| Insertion fee | $0 after 250 listings | $0.35 after free listings |
| Promoted listing fee | Optional | Based on ad rate set by seller |
✅ Example: Selling an item for $100 + $10 shipping at 13.25%
→ Fee: $14.88 (13.25% of $110 + $0.30)
→ Net payout: $95.12.
eBay Fee Percentage by Category (2025)
| Category | Final Value Fee | Transaction Fee | Total Estimated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
💡 Note: If you subscribe to an eBay Store, you can lower the percentage by 0.5%–1% per category.
Does eBay Charge Fees to Sell? (Keyword: does ebay charge fees to sell)
Yes. eBay charges fees on every completed sale.
However:
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📦 Listing items is free for the first 250 listings per month.
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💳 Fees only apply when your item sells.
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🪙 If you use optional features like Promoted Listings, you pay more.
| Fee Type | When Charged | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Final Value Fee | When item sells | 12.9%–15% + $0.30 |
| Insertion Fee | After 250 listings | $0.35 each |
| Promoted Listings | When item sells (if promoted) | Variable |
How to Calculate eBay Fee Percentage
To calculate your eBay fee percentage, use:
✅ Example:
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Item Price: $150
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Category Fee: 13.25%
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Transaction Fee: $0.30
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Total Fee = $19.88
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Net Payout = $130.12
You can also use a fee calculator or tools like Closo’s pricing engine to automate this across large inventories.
eBay Fee Percentage vs Mercari Seller Fees
| Platform | Selling Fee | Payment Fee | Total Fee | $100 Sale | Net Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eBay | 12.9%–15% + $0.30 | Included in percentage | ~13%–15% | $100 → $85–$87 | $85–$87 |
| Mercari | 10% | 2.9% + $0.30 | ~13% | $100 → $86.80 | $86.80 |
| Poshmark | 20% | Included | 20% | $100 → $80 | $80 |
| Grailed | 9% + 2.9% + $0.30 | Separate | ~12% | $100 → $88 | $88 |
Mercari is slightly cheaper for sellers, but eBay offers broader reach and more tools for scaling.
Additional Optional Fees on eBay
While the base percentage is straightforward, eBay also offers optional upgrades that can add to your cost:
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📢 Promoted Listings: You set an ad rate (e.g., 2–10%) — applied only if the item sells.
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🧾 Listing upgrades: Bold titles, subtitles, reserve pricing (less common).
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🏪 eBay Store: Monthly subscription that lowers fee percentages.
eBay Store Subscribers Pay Lower Percentages
| Store Plan | Clothing | Electronics | Jewelry | Average Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Store | 13.25% | 12.9% | 15% | — |
| Basic Store | 12.35% | 11.9% | 14% | ~1% lower |
| Premium Store | 11.5% | 10.9% | 13% | ~1.5% lower |
💡 For sellers doing over 100 sales/month, this can result in hundreds of dollars saved annually.
eBay Fee Strategy: How to Protect Your Margins
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Always factor fees into listing prices.
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Use promoted listings selectively, not on every SKU.
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Bundle and upsell to maximize per-order value.
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Crosslist to lower-fee marketplaces like Grailed or Mercari.
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Automate fee tracking to stay on top of margins.
Related Reads
FAQ — Percentage of eBay Fees
1. What percentage does eBay charge sellers?
eBay charges between 12.9% and 15% of the total sale amount, plus a $0.30 transaction fee.
2. Does eBay charge a fee to list items?
No for the first 250 listings per month. After that, insertion fees apply.
3. Is the percentage different for each category?
Yes. Different categories have different final value fee percentages.
4. Can I reduce eBay’s fee percentage?
Yes, by subscribing to an eBay Store plan.
5. How does eBay compare to Mercari or Poshmark?
eBay’s fees are lower than Poshmark’s flat 20% and slightly higher than Mercari’s combined 13%.
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.
Automate this with Closo → and keep your margins clear and consistent.
