The "Zero Fee" Revolution: Why Selling on Depop in 2025 is a Whole New Game

The "Zero Fee" Revolution: Why Selling on Depop in 2025 is a Whole New Game

I still remember the specific frustration I felt in 2023. I had just sold a vintage North Face puffer jacket for $100. I was thrilled—until I looked at the receipt. Item Price: $100. Depop Fee (10%): -$10.00. Transaction Fee: -$3.75. Shipping (which I accidentally offered for free): -$12.00.

I walked away with $74.25. It felt like I had done all the work—sourcing, washing, photographing, modeling, shipping—and the app had taken a massive bite out of my sandwich just for hosting the photo.

Then, the notification came. "We’re removing selling fees."

I thought it was a glitch. Platforms raise fees; they don't lower them. But it was real. In a desperate bid to compete with Vinted and retain Gen Z sellers, Depop dropped the nuclear bomb: 0% Selling Fees.

However, if you think you are keeping 100% of that sale price, you are mistaken. The "Depop Tax" hasn't disappeared; it has just shapeshifted. If you are a reseller asking does depop have seller fees in 2025, the answer is "No... but actually yes." You need to understand the difference between a "Selling Fee" and a "Processing Fee," or you will still find your payout lighter than expected.


The "Zero Fee" Era: What Actually Changed?

When people search for depop selling fees, they are often looking for that old 10% number. It’s gone—mostly. In mid-2024, Depop eliminated the 10% marketplace fee for new listings.

My Personal Anecdote: When the change hit, I had 200 items listed in my shop. I sat there for three hours manually "Editing" and "Saving" every single one.

  • Why? Because the 0% fee only applied to new or updated listings. My old listings were still tagged with the 10% fee contract.

  • The Result: I sold a pair of jeans the next day. No 10% fee. I saved $4 instantly. It was the easiest money I ever made.

Opinion Statement: This change saved Depop. I was ready to leave for Vinted (which has always been 0% for sellers). By matching Vinted's structure, Depop kept me—and thousands of other vintage sellers—on the platform.


How Much Does Depop Take? (The Processing Fee)

Here's where it gets interesting... Depop is not a charity. They still need to pay Stripe (the payment processor). So, how much does depop take now?

The Payment Processing Fee

In the US, this fee is typically 3.3% + $0.45 per transaction.

  • What it covers: It covers the credit card transaction cost.

  • What it applies to: The Total transaction amount (Item Price + Shipping + Tax).

The Math: You sell a shirt for $20. Buyer pays $5 shipping and $2 tax. Total transaction: $27.

  • Fee: 3.3% of $27 = $0.89.

  • Plus: $0.45 fixed fee.

  • Total Deduction: $1.34.

  • You keep: $20 - $1.34 = $18.66.

It’s a lot better than the old days (where you would have lost another $2), but it’s not zero.


The New Trap: Boosted Listings (8% Fee)

If Depop isn't making money on the 10% fee, how are they surviving? Enter the Boosted Listing. This is the new "Depop Tax."

  • How it works: You toggle "Boost" on your item. It appears in special tiles in search results.

  • The Fee: If someone buys your item after clicking a boosted tile, Depop takes 8%.

  • The Catch: You don't pay if they don't buy. It’s performance-based.

My Honest Failure: I boosted my entire shop to test it. Sales went up by 30%. I was happy. Then I checked my depop calculator spreadsheet. I was losing 8% on almost every sale. On a $100 leather jacket, that was $8 gone. I realized I was basically paying the old 10% fee voluntarily.

  • Lesson: Only boost high-margin items where you can absorb the 8%. Do not boost a $12 t-shirt.

I use Closo AI Agents to analyze which of my items are actually getting views without boosting – saves me about 3 hours weekly – so I can strategically turn off boosting for items that perform well organically.


Depop Shipping Prices: The Silent Profit Killer

When calculating your depop.fee load, you cannot ignore shipping. Depop gives you two choices: "Ship with Depop" or "Ship on your own."

Option 1: Ship with Depop (The Easy Way)

Depop generates a USPS Ground Advantage label.

  • Extra Small (under 4oz): ~$4.49 (Great for jewelry).

  • Small (under 8oz): ~$5.39 (Tees).

  • Medium (under 1lb): ~$7.99 (Jeans).

  • Large (under 2lb): ~$12.25 (Hoodies/Boots).

  • Extra Large (under 10lb): ~$16.15 (Bundles).

The Risk: If you select "Small" for a heavy sweater and it weighs 14oz, USPS will charge the difference to Depop, and Depop will charge it to you. I once got hit with a $6 "Postage Due" charge because I guessed a pair of Doc Martens was under 2lbs. They were 2.2lbs.

Option 2: Ship on Your Own (The Cheaper Way)

You use a third-party tool like Pirate Ship.

  • Benefit: You can often find "Cubic Rates" that are cheaper than Depop's rates, especially for heavy items going short distances.

  • Drawback: You have to copy/paste tracking numbers manually.


The Depop PayPal Breakup

If you are an old-school seller searching for depop paypal fees, I have bad news. Depop has effectively divorced PayPal.

  • The Change: As of late 2023/2024, Depop removed PayPal as a payment option for sellers in the US and UK. All payments must go through Depop Payments (Stripe).

  • Why? It prevents disputes outside the app and consolidates fees.

  • The Benefit: No more "Pending" PayPal funds. Depop Payments pay out directly to your bank account (usually 1-2 days after the sale, or 10 days for new sellers).


Does Depop Have Seller Fees for Returns?

Generally, no. Depop does not charge you a fee if a return happens, but you usually eat the shipping cost.

  • Scenario: Buyer claims "Item Not As Described."

  • Result: You have to refund the full amount.

  • The Fee Refund: Depop will refund the Processing Fee (and the old Selling Fee if applicable) back to you. You aren't out the fees, but you are out the shipping label cost if you paid for it.


Using a Depop Calculator to Protect Margins

Stop doing "napkin math." If you want to know how much does depop take, use a proper calculator or spreadsheet.

The Formula:

Example:

  • Sell for $40.

  • Buyer pays shipping.

  • Fee: ($40 * 0.033) + $0.45 = $1.77.

  • Net Payout: $38.23.

(Parenthetical aside: Seeing that $38.23 number makes me so much happier than the old days, where a $40 sale would have netted me $33 after the 10% fee. That extra $5 buys my coffee.)


Depop vs. Poshmark vs. Mercari Fees (2025)

How does depop no seller fees compare to the rivals?

Feature Depop Poshmark Mercari
Selling Fee 0% 20% (Flat) 0% (Buyers pay fee)
Processing Fee 3.3% + $0.45 Included in 20% Included
Who Pays Fee? Seller (Processing) Seller (All) Buyer (Service Fee)
Shipping Variable (Weight) $7.97 Flat (up to 5lb) Variable
Best For Vintage / Y2K Mall Brands / Heavy Items Garage Sale Items

Opinion Statement: Depop's 0% fee is deceptive because Poshmark's 20% fee includes the simplicity of flat-rate shipping. If you sell heavy coats, Poshmark is often cheaper despite the higher fee. If you sell light t-shirts, Depop wins hands down.


People always ask me...

"Is the 0% fee permanent?"

Common question I see. Depop calls it a permanent change, but in the tech world, nothing is forever. They removed it to compete with Vinted. As long as Vinted exists and grows, Depop will likely keep the fees at zero to stop sellers from migrating.

"Do I pay fees on shipping?"

People always ask me this. Yes. The Processing Fee (3.3%) applies to the total transaction, which includes the shipping cost paid by the buyer.

  • Why? Because the payment processor (Stripe) charges Depop for the total amount swipe, so Depop passes that cost to you.

"Does 'Boost' guarantee sales?"

No. It guarantees impressions.

  • My Experience: I boosted a stale item. It got 100 views in an hour. No likes. No buys.

  • The Reality: Boosting a bad item just means more people see a bad item. Fix your photos and price first. Boosting is a multiplier, not a magician.


Conclusion

The landscape of depop selling fees has shifted dramatically in your favor. The removal of the 10% commission is a game-changer for vintage sellers, allowing us to price competitively or simply keep more profit.

But don't get lazy. The Processing Fee ($0.45 + 3.3%) and the optional Boost Fee (8%) are continually nipping at your heels. And if you mess up the depop shipping prices, you can still lose money on a sale.

My advice? Enjoy the 0% era. List your lighter items on Depop. Cross-list your heavy items to Poshmark. And never, ever guess the weight of a package.

If you are ready to scale up your shop now that fees are lower, check out our guide on how to source inventory for Depop. And if you are struggling with the shipping tiers, read our breakdown of Depop shipping vs. Pirate Ship to see where you can save even more.


FAQ 

Here's something everyone wants to know: Does Depop really have no seller fees? Yes, for new listings created after July 2024 in the US (and earlier in the UK), Depop removed the 10% marketplace fee. However, sellers still pay a Payment Processing Fee (approx. 3.3% + $0.45) on every transaction. So, while there is no "commission," it is not 100% free to sell.

Common question I see: What are Depop shipping prices for 2025? If you use "Ship with Depop" (USPS Ground Advantage), the current tiers are roughly: Extra Small (<4oz): $4.49, Small (<8oz): $5.39, Medium (<1lb): $7.99, Large (<2lb): $12.25, and Extra Large (<10lb): $16.15. These prices change periodically with USPS rate adjustments.

People always ask me: How do I calculate my Depop profit? To use a Depop calculator manually: Take your Listing Price, subtract the Processing Fee (3.3% of Total Transaction + $0.45), subtract the Cost of Goods Sold, and subtract Shipping (only if you offered free shipping). The remaining number is your net profit.